Setup improvements on my existing speakers

[theedudenator]

I was not sure if this was the correct website/forum to post this type of question. Many of the people here have very high end equipment...


I am currently running the following:
Onkyo 2 channel stereo
2 Infinity IL10
1 JBL 10" powered sub


This is my history of problems.
The IL10's sound good to me, they are lacking in the low end/bass
So I added the powered subwoofer.
The sub filters the lows out before it reaches the IL10's
So now I am missing out on the midrange.

My IL10's have dual inputs on the back, I am assuming for each speaker.
I was thinking of running the midrange speaker direct from the amp
And the tweeter speaker from the sub (filter out the lows)

But I am not sure if this would do anything...

I would have to run the sub/tweeter on speaker output A and the midrange alone on B. The onkyo would then output A and B at the same time.

I would consider equipment upgrades, but with the holidays, I figure there could be some cheap tweaks I could do first

 

[mazersteven]

My IL10's have dual inputs on the back, I am assuming for each speaker.
I was thinking of running the midrange speaker direct from the amp
And the tweeter speaker from the sub (filter out the lows)

I think you are talking about bi-amping the speakers. IMO you shouldn't have to bi-amp those.

 

[theedudenator]

But I think my sub is filtering out the midrange before it gets to the speaker..

 

[mazersteven]

I could be wrong, hopefully someone will chime in and correct me if I am. But it sounds like you need to calibrate, and properly crossover your speakers with the receiver.

 

[jaxvon]

What model of JBL sub do you have? If you're having crossover issues, it helps to know the exact model.

 

[theedudenator]

I don't think my receiver can do anything with a crossover??
This is a standard 2 channel receiver.

The Sub is a JBL PB10

 

[theedudenator]

Would I need to add an actual crossover to my system?
And bypass the crossover in my sub??

There are no real settings on the sub, I don't think I can adjust the filter for the main speakers.

 

[3db]

But I think my sub is filtering out the midrange before it gets to the speaker..

Speaker level inputs of a sub have in series, a high pass filter attached to them so that the mids and highs are preseent at the speaker level outputs. It should not be filtering out the highs. If for soem reason, the filter is faulty and is doing what you say, do you have the option of an LFE or subout on your receiver? If so use that and use the sub;s crossver to tune it to your main speakers.

 

[fmw]

But I think my sub is filtering out the midrange before it gets to the speaker..

No, what it is doing is changing the overall frequency response of the output. It might sound like there is less midrange but the midrange hasn't changed. The bass has been increased and the "average" sound presentation has shifted lower in frequency.

You can adjust both the volume and the crossover point of your sub. You should be able to find a combination that appeals to you.

 

[fmw]

Would I need to add an actual crossover to my system?
And bypass the crossover in my sub??

There are no real settings on the sub, I don't think I can adjust the filter for the main speakers.

That changes everything. Most powered subs have both a volume control and a control to adjust the crossover frequency. If yours doesn't then you would have to live with what it does. Before I bought an outboard crossover, however, I would buy a different sub. Another option would be to use an A/V receiver with some sort of equalization and speaker setup routine. I think I would just go with a better sub.