New PSB Setup with Old Sub

[juryman]

Just started my speaker upgrade from a 20 year old Axiom 5.1 system. First purchase was LCR from PSB. I have a pair of the X1T's and the XC. Question is, how do I properly configure them with my old Axiom EP-125 sub? The sub and my new speakers both go down to 35hz. Where should I look at setting the crossover? 40? 50? Should I set my X1T to 4 or 8 ohm? Since I user my systems mostly for movies, I probably need to set the PSB's to small, and I want the sub to do the heavy bass even though it cant go down very low like todays subs can.

Any recommendations would be helpful.

 

[shadyJ]

The sub doesn't look great at all. Have you thought about getting rid of it and getting a better sub? I am not sure it's worth it to run that sub with those speakers. The only advantage that it would give you is that it takes a bit of a load off the receiver amp that you are probably using to drive the speakers. I would just get a real sub.

 

[ryanosaur]

Put that Sub on the chopping block.
Depending on your usage, there are some great values, especially if you act fast with Christmas sales. Regardless, I agree with Shady that the sub isn't going to do much for you. It is possible your speakers will sound better at 35Hz than that Sub.
That said, I would recommend Small with the XO at 80 as a starting point. Experiment up or down from there (try 70, 60 (no lower) and even 90, 100). Pick something to listen too that you know well that has some good low end as well as Mids and Highs. Listen, change, listen, change... look for the subtleties in Cymbals or female voice... whatever it is. Take a week or two to just listen and fiddle with it. Eventually you should start to make out some little differences as your ears adjust.
My experience with setting different XOs between Sub and Speaker left me finding better Bass through a capable Sub, and more clarity and detail in Mids and Highs through the Speakers.
As Shady said, the Sub will take some of the load off the Amp Stage of your AVR, it will also take some of the power demand of the Speaker, allowing the Speaker operate more efficiently by focusing the energy available to it higher up.

 

[lovinthehd]

Only so much that 8" sub is going to do, altho it does seem to have ports that remind me of @Danzilla31 port love.

I'd say it's time to upgrade to a proper sub, too. In the meantime I'd probably start with an xo of 80 and do as best a positioning I can for it, but might also be a candidate for when I might opt to use lfe+main/double bass type settings. Experiment.

By setting 4 ohm/8 ohm you mean an impedance selector switch on your avr? Try this https://www.audioholics.com/audio-amplifier/impedance-selector-switch-1

 

[juryman]

The sub doesn't look great at all. Have you thought about getting rid of it and getting a better sub? I am not sure it's worth it to run that sub with those speakers. The only advantage that it would give you is that it takes a bit of a load off the receiver amp that you are probably using to drive the speakers. I would just get a real sub.

Yes. Thats in the plans. But with my PSB purchase and the holidays (gifts, etc) I dont have the time or coin right now. However, I was already doing research and looking at SVS PB-1000 or 2000 (if I can still find one), REL HT1205, or RSL or Rythmik.

 

[juryman]

Put that Sub on the chopping block.
Depending on your usage, there are some great values, especially if you act fast with Christmas sales. Regardless, I agree with Shady that the sub isn't going to do much for you. It is possible your speakers will sound better at 35Hz than that Sub.
That said, I would recommend Small with the XO at 80 as a starting point. Experiment up or down from there (try 70, 60 (no lower) and even 90, 100). Pick something to listen too that you know well that has some good low end as well as Mids and Highs. Listen, change, listen, change... look for the subtleties in Cymbals or female voice... whatever it is. Take a week or two to just listen and fiddle with it. Eventually you should start to make out some little differences as your ears adjust.
My experience with setting different XOs between Sub and Speaker left me finding better Bass through a capable Sub, and more clarity and detail in Mids and Highs through the Speakers.
As Shady said, the Sub will take some of the load off the Amp Stage of your AVR, it will also take some of the power demand of the Speaker, allowing the Speaker operate more efficiently by focusing the energy available to it higher up.

This is good advice. Thank You. I know, sub is crap and a new one is in the plans. Any advice on that front? Room is 15x14 with one open side. HT is mostly for movies and sports.

 

[juryman]

Only so much that 8" sub is going to do, altho it does seem to have ports that remind me of @Danzilla31 port love.

I'd say it's time to upgrade to a proper sub, too. In the meantime I'd probably start with an xo of 80 and do as best a positioning I can for it, but might also be a candidate for when I might opt to use lfe+main/double bass type settings. Experiment.

By setting 4 ohm/8 ohm you mean an impedance selector switch on your avr? Try this https://www.audioholics.com/audio-amplifier/impedance-selector-switch-1

Thank you. Yes. I can auto calibrate everything with my Onkyo or set impedance manually along with everything else. PSB said I should go 4ohm but nominal setting is 8.

New sub is in the works just not right now. I had to jump on the deal I got for the PSB's 20% off. X1T and XC.

 

[mazersteven]

No Rel

 

[juryman]

No Rel

The reviews of the HT1205 were good, from what I read.

I dont need house shaking bass. I just need it to be good for movies and go down somewhere in the 20-22hz neighborhood.

 

[ryanosaur]

FWIW, if HT is your goal, my recommendation would be on a good ported Sub capable of clean bass down to 18Hz.
I'd recommend the Hsu VTF 2 Mk5 as a great value leader. I don't think I've heard a negative word about these.
After that, the usual recommendations are SVS, Hsu, Monolith by Monoprice, Outlaw...
Rythmik and PSA get mentioned a lot, and while I hold no grudge against Rythmik, the marketing of the Servo Tech as a magic bullet is a bit nauseating...
And PSA has not done any third-party testing of their product which results in nothing but hearsay and fanboy stories about how great they are. I do not doubt that they can be good Subs, but I can't say they are recommended since there is no testing data with which to compare them to the other products that are widely available and have been tested thoroughly.
*shrugs

As for the RSL, it's not a bad sub, but it doesn't go very deep.
REL isn't as good a value as you can get with other brands.

 

[mazersteven]

The reviews of the HT1205 were good, from what I read.

You think anybody that overpaid for a subwoofer is going to say anything bad about it and embarrass themselves? Or people that have a little advertising dollars on the hook

 

[lovinthehd]

The Rel subs here in the US just tend to be overpriced for their performance, goofy setup advice, and the way they plastered "Rel" all over that particular HT1205 IMO is a miss aesthetically. They state an f6 (-6dB) of 22hz, but disparage anechoic measurements so perhaps that's an in-room equivalent, they don't really specify in the spec. Maybe if significantly discounted....

I'd consider the SVS and Hsu subs first. Do you have a particular size limitation for the sub footprint?

 

[juryman]

You think anybody that overpaid for a subwoofer is going to say anything bad about it and embarrass themselves? Or people that have a little advertising dollars on the hook

Ok. Fair statement. That is why Im posting here, to get honest opinions and recommendations from users. If you have any suggestions in that regard, Im open. The 5.1 setup Im replacing is close to 20 years old and I only have so much time and money to spend on this endeavor. I started with LCR since people have said that's the most important of a HT setup. Researched that first and decided on PSB because of good reviews, the sale price, and the look (WAF) factor. Same hold true for the sub. I cant have some big behemoth because of space (15x14) and WAF. I just want good value that can give me good base for movies and not shake the house.

 

[mazersteven]

A PB or PC not a SB

 

[ryanosaur]

I was just going to recommend the PC2000Pro, though it is more expensive than the Hsu VTF2.

 

[juryman]

I was just going to recommend the PC2000Pro, though it is more expensive than the Hsu VTF2.

Thanks but unfortunately I cant go that high in $$$. I have to try to keep it somewhere around $500 give or take. The HSU is a bit big for my space.

 

[juryman]

View attachment 42790

A PB or PC not a SB

Yes. The obvious choice, even for a novice like me. The fact that Im limited in space at the front of the room, small footprint matters as well. Even if I decide to move it near the sitting area I still need to think about placement and size. Given the sub Im replacing, even a SB1000 or 2000 would give me better movie performance. Plus the SB is a perfect fit for my 15x14 room. PB1000 would probably also be a good fit.

BTW...Im familiar with SVS. Only 50 miles east from me. Im in Ohio. Go Browns!

 

[mazersteven]

Yes. The obvious choice, even for a novice like me. The fact that Im limited in space at the front of the room, small footprint matters as well. Even if I decide to move it near the sitting area I still need to think about placement and size. Given the sub Im replacing, even a SB1000 or 2000 would give me better movie performance. Plus the SB is a perfect fit for my 15x14 room. PB1000 would probably also be a good fit.

BTW...Im familiar with SVS. Only 50 miles east from me. Im in Ohio. Go Browns!

Go Browns???

 

[ryanosaur]

Not trying to twist your arm in any way. Be mindful though, in shopping for a quality Subwoofer, cutting corners is not a path to success.
Consider the LFE channel in HT contains information from as low as 1Hz, up to 120Hz. Chasing 1 Hz is foolish, as is chasing 16Hz. (I chased 16Hz because I enjoy Pipe Organ. I do not regret it. But finding good Subs that are linear that low gets expensive.)
Looking at the options, and considering that this will be a cornerstone of a good HT experience, I only urge you to not fall into the trap which so many others do.
Skimping here will affect your experience for years to come. Finding the balance that's right for you and your situation, but that which also addresses the experience you will miss eventually if you underbuy now, is very key.

Mind, I'm not even trying to sell you on a pair of Subs! (I'm a firm believer here, but I already knew it was a non-starter for you. )

Subs get tricky and many people hem and haw over which is the right one for them. I did this too. Most of the Subs we recommend are all known quantities and will satisfy for years to come. My only encouragement is to shop smart and work on finding the balance between performance and aesthetics. Involve your Spouse, too. I f she knows you are trying to balance her interests and that of a good experience, she may (hopefully) surprise you and support going for something that will keep you guys happy for years to come!

 

[juryman]

Go Browns???
View attachment 42792

We shall see tonight.