Sub + Mains <32 hz. Part 1

[dmlee57]

I'm still stuggling with my set up.

My front mains go down to 32 Hz., my sub 23 Hz.

Almost everyone tells me to set the mains to (small) in my receiver.
My argument is two fold. One is the mains (Klipsch KLF-10's) have two 10" woofers and are rated 150rms. It seems to me that if I set them to small, I'm having the sub do all the work <90 Hz. and missing out on using the big mains for bass between 32-90 Hz.

The other part is that everytime I change to 2-channel, I would have to re-adjust them to the (large) sitting.

Side note, the amp is not a problem. I'm running a receiver as a 'pre' and a 5 channel direct.

I know that my comments are long but I'll listen to anyones advise at this point.

 

[Seth=L]

Having three things in the same room producing the same frequency, unless placed strategically to maximize bass performance (which would ruin your soundstage most definitely), will have bass humps and nulls. Setting the speakers to small helps prevent that from happening. It also relieves the receiver from playing low frequency material, allow it to go louder with less strain.

I think that answers this thread, and the other thread. I really don't understand why you thought you needed two threads for basically a similar question.

 

[Sheep]

Having three things in the same room producing the same frequency, unless placed strategically to maximize bass performance (which would ruin your soundstage most definitely), will have bass humps and nulls. Setting the speakers to small helps prevent that from happening. It also relieves the receiver from playing low frequency material, allow it to go louder with less strain.

I think that answers this thread, and the other thread. I really don't understand why you thought you needed two threads for basically a similar question.

He's going to have humps and nulls anyway. The main reason is the subwoofer can handle the bass, that's what it was designed to do. By keeping the mains out of the bass area, you free up amplifier headroom, although, that isn't that important for your speakers.

Nevertheless, leave them small.

SheepStar

 

[j_garcia]

Yep, what both of them said. Running the mains large with the sub will give you overlap and create worse frequency response - basically it will be midbass heavy and sound boomy most likely, or worst case, you get some cancellation and end up with a big dip in response. At the same time, those dual 10s will be sucking up all your receiver's power when you crank it up which means you will be losing overall headroom. You are not automatically giving up everything below 90Hz, there is a slope associated with the crossover so the mains will still be playing sound down to ~45Hz or so which should make it very easy to blend with your sub. Also, as was mentioned in your other thread, sending a full range signal to your mains and cranking it up could potentially damage them if your amp can't deliver the required power to keep from clipping at higher volume. Bottoming out is not the issue, distortion is.

 

[bigbangtheory]

I'm still stuggling with my set up.

My front mains go down to 32 Hz., my sub 23 Hz.

Almost everyone tells me to set the mains to (small) in my receiver.
My argument is two fold. One is the mains (Klipsch KLF-10's) have two 10" woofers and are rated 150rms. It seems to me that if I set them to small, I'm having the sub do all the work <90 Hz. and missing out on using the big mains for bass between 32-90 Hz.

The other part is that everytime I change to 2-channel, I would have to re-adjust them to the (large) sitting.

Side note, the amp is not a problem. I'm running a receiver as a 'pre' and a 5 channel direct.

I know that my comments are long but I'll listen to anyones advise at this point.

My mains have 15 woofers and are rated in 20Hz territory too.

BUT, after much experimentation with various soundtracks and cds, I have found that the perfect blend (for me) comes from setting all speakers - yes, even the mains - to SMALL in the receiver, and crossover to 60Hz. Keep in mind I have a rather large sub, but it seems to blend in nicely with the mains when I let it do some of the "higher" low Hz.

Just my $.02. Good luck!

 

[dmlee57]

Thank you J Garcia and Bigbangtheory. I learned something from your replies.

As to Seth, your condscension concerning my extra thread isn't appreciated. I felt that it was a totally different subject. Enough said, we'll move on.
And thanks for your advise !

 

[mike c]

if you really want to give your front speakers some work, set them to small and with a 40hz crossover.

what is your subwoofer? it would really depend on how good your subwoofer is.

what is your receiver? does it have a variable crossover? doesn't it have pure direct (or other stereo options)?

 

[bigbangtheory]

Thank you J Garcia and Bigbangtheory. I learned something from your replies.

As to Seth, your condscension concerning my extra thread isn't appreciated. I felt that it was a totally different subject. Enough said, we'll move on.
And thanks for your advise !

Quite welcome!

Also, a little more clarification. I think your determination of where you set that all-important crossover will have a lot to do with your typical audio usage. In GENERAL, the audiophiles/music lovers don't prefer, or maybe need less subwoofer work done than the home theater types, who will probably be sending a lot more lower Hz to the sub.

So, and again, speaking VERY generally here, if you're a audiophile type, you might let your speakers do "more lower Hz work" by setting that crossover lower (or even turn the sub off in some cases).

If you're more of a home theater type, the sub might need a little more room to work out, so you'll set that crossover higher.

And no, I'm not ignoring the fact that some speakers and some subs are good enough to infringe on each other's Hz duties.

Just a matter of experimentation to see how well everything "blends" given how you use your system!

Good luck!

 

[bandphan]

Quite welcome!

Also, a little more clarification. I think your determination of where you set that all-important crossover will have a lot to do with your typical audio usage. In GENERAL, the audiophiles/music lovers don't prefer, or maybe need less subwoofer work done than the home theater types, who will probably be sending a lot more lower Hz to the sub.

So, and again, speaking VERY generally here, if you're a audiophile type, you might let your speakers do "more lower Hz work" by setting that crossover lower (or even turn the sub off in some cases).

If you're more of a home theater type, the sub might need a little more room to work out, so you'll set that crossover higher.

And no, I'm not ignoring the fact that some speakers and some subs are good enough to infringe on each other's Hz duties.

Just a matter of experimentation to see how well everything "blends" given how you use your system!

Good luck!

well put, apples and oranges, i set my rc to turn off my subs when listening to cds, lps, and dats, then back on when video sources are selected




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