Configuring a Sony STR-DG510

[Mancole]

Hello all,
I am fairly new to the home audio world.
I was recently given a Sony STR-DG510. I previously had some speakers given.
Fronts are - B&W DM640
Center is - Mission 73C
Rears are - Mission 73
I don't have a subwoofer as of yet.
I currently have my speakers setup as follows.
Front - large
center - small
rear - small - behind/high
My question is, I'm struggling to find a setup and sound I enjoy the best, I feel like it seems to be missing some bass.
What should my "dynamic range compressor" be set to?
What should my "Speaker crossover frequency" be set at?
How do I get more bass out of my front speakers? I know they won't be able to hit the low frequency like a subwoofer would.
I would appreciate any feedback you all may have, thanks for your time !

 

[lovinthehd]

I'd just set them to full range (i.e. large) since you don't have a sub. If the speakers get stressed by lower frequencies they can't handle at the levels you listen at then I might think of applying the crossover (and you may need to tell it there's a sub in order to get the crossovers, or rather the high pass filter for your speakers, to function...a crossover is a combination of a low pass filter for the sub and a high pass filter for the speakers). Have you tried all speakers set to large to maximize their bass capabilities?

You likely are missing some bass as your mains and other speakers don't dig particularly low. You could try any on-board equalization in the Sony or even just a bass tone control if you want to try and increase bass. I'd turn off any dynamic range compressor....unless you need it to help out in some particular way but in general use its more a problem than a solution.

Seems time for a sub....

 

[Mancole]

I just set them to all to large, seems a bit better, but at the end of the day, you're right.... I need a sub to achieve what I'm looking for.
I appreciate the help.

 

[lovinthehd]

I just set them to all to large, seems a bit better, but at the end of the day, you're right.... I need a sub to achieve what I'm looking for.
I appreciate the help.

You are adjusting the system for levels/distance/delays properly? Does that unit have Sony's DCAC?

 

[Mancole]

You are adjusting the system for levels/distance/delays properly? Does that unit have Sony's DCAC?

Yes, I'm using the Sony's DCAC. I just checked my crossover frequency, it was set at 160hz, correct me if I'm wrong but wouldn’t that limit basically all bass notes ?

 

[lovinthehd]

Yes, I'm using the Sony's DCAC. I just checked my crossover frequency, it was set at 160hz, correct me if I'm wrong but wouldn’t that limit basically all bass notes ?

Pretty much, if it's actually in effect when you tell it there's no sub....toggle it each way (on/off) and see how it affects the output. Seems a fairly high crossover for the mains, tho. I'd generally start at 80 and experiment from there.

 

[Mancole]

Pretty much, if it's actually in effect when you tell it there's no sub....toggle it each way (on/off) and see how it affects the output. Seems a fairly high crossover for the mains, tho. I'd generally start at 80 and experiment from there.

Ya, I think 80 is the sweet spot. It's the best It's going to get without a sub, thanks again for the help!

 

[lovinthehd]

Ya, I think 80 is the sweet spot. It's the best It's going to get without a sub, thanks again for the help!

With a sub yes 80....but with no sub I'd still go full range for now

 

[Mancole]

With a sub yes 80....but with no sub I'd still go full range for now

Okay, that makes sense now, I can go down to as low as 40 so I'll see how it sounds and go from there.