Setup advice with (2) BP9080x, CS9080, (2) SR9080 and (2) CWM652

[Ilian]

Hi everyone,

long time reader here. I consider myself somewhat of an "audioholic" and have a true appreciation for sound. I'm can hear sound and know what it should sound like or at least I know what I like, but unfortunately, am not as technically versed as I would like to be. I do consider myself above average audoholic (in part thanks to this site and the forums, but also through trial and error). That being said... I received an email from Def. Tech. that they are having a sale. 2x BP9080x speakers at 20% off and CS9080 for free. So I took the plunge.

I need some advice on how to get the most out of my setup as I've never dealt with speakers like the BP9080x. I've read and watched videos, but have not been able to figure out the answer I'm looking for.

So in anticipation of my BP9080x and center 9080 delivery, I would like to prepare myself and setup up my system properly to get the most out of it.

I built my own "floating" entertainment center and put in two B&W CWM652 in it. My surrounds are Def Tech SR9080 with a Def Tech ProSub 1000. I'd like to keep those. The center is going to the basement and will be replaced with the CS9080 and adding the BP9080X's units.

I'm looking at the following setup:
- Sony STR-DN1080 receiver
- Front High L (CWM652) Front High R (CWM652)
- Front L (BP9080x) Front R (BP9080x)
- Sub W (ProSub 1000)
- Surround L (SR9080) Surround R (SR9080)

I'm struggling to understand the best way to connect my receiver with the ProSub 1000, BP9080x and CS9080. The whole Y split thing confuses the crap out of me. I'd like the keep the sub for the low frequency, but am not sure how to set this up. Also, the height input split - I'm assuming Y splits on each of the receiver ports? I'm guessing that's silly and I would need a new amp. Any help is greatly appreciated.

I've included the some pics below of the connection ports so someone can please explain to me in plain English what they would do if it were them.

Receiver

SW

BP9080x

CS9080

 

[lovinthehd]

Might try this thread for some thoughts on your BP speakers. https://forums.audioholics.com/forums/threads/questions-about-new-def-tech-speaker-setup.104471/

Why would you want to use a splitter for the height channels?

 

[Ilian]

BP speakers come with atmos modules and my CWM652 are about 9 feet up on the entertainment built in. Until I get a new receiver, I was thinking of using 4 height speakers and create 5.1.2. Just not sure if that's silly or not.

My living room has cathedral ceilings, so I'm ultimately trying to bounce the BP upper modules off the ceiling and the CWM652 are pointed slightly down. Not ideal, but the best I can do.

I'm eye balling the Marantz 7012 to go 5.1.4. Until then I was wondering if a Y split on the heights makes any sense as opposed to 2 speakers collecting dust for a month or so.

I read through the thread above, that was quite helpful. Thanks!

If I understand correctly, for for now I have to do the following for now:
BP9080x - speaker level connection only
CS9080 - speaker level connection only
Speaker Large, Sub No
OR
BP9080x ---- Y Split ---- BP9080x
Old Center speaker level only (cs9080 gets dusty as I wait for new amp?)
Speaker Small, Sub Yes
LFE + Main


With Marantz 7012:
Sub out ---- Y Split ----- BP9080x LFE IN
PRE-Out Center ----- CS9080 LFE IN
Speaker Small, Sub Yes
LFE + main

I guess what I was asking for, how do I hook these up to get the most out of my system for now, but it's becoming more clear that I'm chasing a pipe dream until I upgrade the AVR.

 

[agarwalro]

Not sure what the Y splitter route is trying to achieve. You can't use splitters on Speaker level signal. Splitting the subwoofer out and feeding the 9080 LFE in is not recommended.

Irrespective of Sony or Marantz,
BP9080x - speaker level connection only
CS9080 - speaker level connection only
Front (L/R) Speaker Large
All other speakers Small
Sub Yes
Bass setting LFE + Main

You'll need to choose if you want to use the CWM652 or 9080x for height speakers. There's no way to use both. Also, it appears with the Sony you have to choose between 5.1.2 or 7.1.0.

 

[lovinthehd]

Splitting the subwoofer out and feeding the 9080 LFE in is not recommended.

Is that due the limitations of the "sub" in the BP speaker or is it splitting the signal isn't recommended? I'm assuming the former, but...

 

[agarwalro]

Is that due the limitations of the "sub" in the BP speaker or is it splitting the signal isn't recommended?

Yeah, low level audio signal can be passively split as long as the outputting device can drive all the inputs without too much voltage sag. It depends on output impedance of sending and input impedance of receiving devices. There's limits though, due to Y insertion losses. I'd do 1 to 5 splits IRL and still sleep soundly but not 5 staggered Y 's .

Yes, the 9808x low end is no substitute for a proper sub. Feeding their LFE In an AVR subwoofer out signal will only serve to lower the dynamic range of the entire system.

 

[lovinthehd]

Yeah, low level audio signal can be passively split as long as the outputting device can drive all the inputs without too much voltage sag. It depends on output impedance of sending and input impedance of receiving devices. There's limits though, due to Y insertion losses. I'd do 1 to 5 splits IRL and still sleep soundly .

Yes, the 9808x low end is no substitute for a proper sub. Feeding their LFE In an AVR subwoofer out signal will only serve to lower the dynamic range of the entire system.

Yep.

OTOH he's only got another DT bass module in the Prosub1000, more similar to those in his speakers than a proper sub.

 

[Ilian]

Not sure what the Y splitter route is trying to achieve. You can't use splitters on Speaker level signal.

Perfect, exactly the what I needed to hear

Splitting the subwoofer out and feeding the 9080 LFE in is not recommended.

Irrespective of Sony or Marantz,
BP9080x - speaker level connection only
CS9080 - speaker level connection only
Front (L/R) Speaker Large
All other speakers Small
Sub Yes
Bass setting LFE + Main

You'll need to choose if you want to use the CWM652 or 9080x for height speakers. There's no way to use both.

9080x have built in powered sub-woofers. I want higher frequency out of the tower subs and low frequency out of the sub.

Also, it appears with the Sony you have to choose between 5.1.2 or 7.1.0.

Correct, I'll be upgrading.

 

[agarwalro]

OTOH he's only got another DT bass module in the Prosub1000, more similar to those in his speakers than a proper sub.

You can say that again. From here,

The ProSub 1000's close-miked response, normalized to the level at 80 Hz, indicates that the lower –3-dB point is at 39 Hz and the –6-dB point is at 34 Hz.

 

[agarwalro]

9080x have built in powered sub-woofers. I want higher frequency out of the tower subs and low frequency out of the sub.

You don't need to feed the 9080x's LFE In for it. That input would be helping if you didn't have the ProSub 1000.

 

[Ilian]

You don't need to feed the 9080x's LFE In for it. That input would be helping if you didn't have the ProSub 1000.

Aaaah, I think I get it. Receiver will control and send low frequency to sub with LFE + MAIN

 

[agarwalro]

Receiver will control and send low frequency to sub with LFE + MAIN

Correct. The LFE channel (x.1.x) is entirely sent to the subwoofer out. Additionally, signal below crossover frequency for speakers set to Small.

LFE + Main allows speakers set to Large to play full range while still sending signal (from all channels) below LFE of LPF to the subwoofer. This mode should only be used with caution and not setting LFE of LPF higher than subwoofer's upper -3dB frequency.

 

[lovinthehd]

Aaaah, I think I get it. Receiver will control and send low frequency to sub with LFE + MAIN

LFE plus main is also called double bass due to duplication of frequency range between speaker/sub, but a preference thing...not the best setting IMO.

 

[Ilian]

Correct. The LFE channel (x.1.x) is entirely sent to the subwoofer out. Additionally, signal below crossover frequency for speakers set to Small.

LFE + Main allows speakers set to Large to play full range while still sending signal (from all channels) below LFE of LPF to the subwoofer. This mode should only be used with caution and not setting LFE of LPF higher than subwoofer's upper -3dB frequency.

Thank you!

LFE plus main is also called double bass due to duplication of frequency range between speaker/sub, but a preference thing...not the best setting IMO.

That would make it more “punchy” right? I prefer it that way in general.

 

[everettT]

Thank you!



That would make it more “punchy” right? I prefer it that way in general.

If you want puchier bass, this budget sub would be the ticket

http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/vtf-2mk5.html

 

[lovinthehd]

That would make it more “punchy” right? I prefer it that way in general.

Don't have any idea really what you mean by punchy. I prefer accurate bass with high spl capabilities with fairly low extension . Your expectations are your own.

 

[agarwalro]

That would make it more “punchy” right? I prefer it that way in general.

Punchy can be achieved by boosting the sub trim or using the modern version of Loudness, called Dynamic EQ in Denon and Marantz receivers.

I prefer to keep bass management simple my setting all speakers to Small and one crossover for all of them .

 

[Ilian]

If you want puchier bass, this budget sub would be the ticket

http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/vtf-2mk5.html

Was just reading about HSU subs actually... glad to see you recommend. No sub in the budget for now. Thanks!

Punchy can be achieved by boosting the sub trim or using the modern version of Loudness, called Dynamic EQ in Denon and Marantz receivers.

I prefer to keep bass management simple my setting all speakers to Small and one crossover for all of them .

So for "punchy" set towers to small like the surrounds? What about the center?

I'm hooking up my setup this weekend and I'll get to experiment, appreciate your input.

 

[agarwalro]

So for "punchy" set towers to small like the surrounds? What about the center?

You should try the following settings' permutations and keep whichever gives the "punchy" sound you like.

Subwoofer mode LFE. Don't mess with LFE+Main for now.
Set all speakers to Small for starters.
Try crossover 50, 60, 70, 80 Hz for L and R
Try crossover 60, 70, 80 Hz for C
Don't set surrounds and heights below 80Hz.

Try all speakers Small vs L, R Large (for each of the crossover settings). (Use 2.0 music to test this.)

After all the above settings are finalized with Center set as Small, flip it to Large and back. Then keep whichever you like best.

Pick a track or five as your test pieces, but, use only short 10-15 second segments repeatedly to evaluate changes.

Start with all speakers Small and crossover 80Hz. Make one change at a time and home in on the exact setting you'll keep.

The guidelines are meant to help you avoid the novice pitfalls. There's no right or wrong setting. Keep what you like and whichever you feel does justice to your listening experience.