Run these speakers as Large or Full-Band or 'Small'?

[jrodATC]

My front sound stage looks like this: Klipsch RC-64 II Center, Polk Monitor 60 towers and a Klipsch Sub-12HG

After an issue I had with crackling (left surround speaker), I crossed everything at 80Hz(THX) and set the LFE to 120Hz. I also unchecked a setting that supposedly enhances surround sound at low volumes. These settings were tested with Transformers 2 and I heard no distortion at all, which obviously made me happy, but I want to make sure I'm using my equipment properly. The front sound stage was previously Full-band across the board and woofer at 120Hz.

I've read many opinions that basically say crossing everything at 80Hz is the best bet if you have a subwoofer and that's where I'm at now--and to be honest, everything sounded clearer with my new settings but I changed about 3 items so I can pin my sound improvement on any one thing. I am going to upgrade to RF-82 towers (or possibly RF-7s) and would like to know how you all would run those. The Monitor 60s aren't known for their bass so crossing them at 80Hz is probably the best thing to do (even though the receiver recommends setting 'towers' to full band) but how about my RC-64 II? If you have one or an all Klipsch set-up, how do you have your system configured? I primarily use my equipment for movies and TV so I like everything to be loud, clear and free of distortion. The speakers are being driven by an Onkyo TX-NR3008.

 

[dkane360]

I have Klipsch RF-3's (37Hz-20kHz(+-)3dB) and I run them full range because I seldom use my subwoofer (in an apartment). My center (RC-3) is set at 80Hz I believe.

I would probably run the RF-82's or RF-7's full range, but others might disagree as they are not truly full range (20Hz-20kHz). The frequency response of the center you have is 59Hz-24KHz ± 3dB, so I would cross it a little above that. The Polk monitor 60's should probably stay at 80Hz, although its hard to tell because Polk's specifications don't make a ton of sense.

A new sub and new towers would make a killer system

 

[zumbo]

These are examples of the correct settings if they are available. If not, go up to the next nearest option.

Klipsch RC-64 II - SMALL-80

Polk Monitor 60 - SMALL-70

RF-82 - SMALL-60

RF-7 - SMALL-50

If you can't set each x-over point separately, then 80 is best due to the RC-64 II F3. (59Hz-24KHz)

 

[zumbo]

The options of SMALL and LARGE have nothing to do with the speaker size, EDIT: or brand.

You are simply choosing to either use a set x-over point for the speaker(SMALL), or not use one(LARGE).

 

[jrodATC]

I have Klipsch RF-3's (37Hz-20kHz(+-)3dB) and I run them full range because I seldom use my subwoofer (in an apartment). My center (RC-3) is set at 80Hz I believe.

I would probably run the RF-82's or RF-7's full range, but others might disagree as they are not truly full range (20Hz-20kHz). The frequency response of the center you have is 59Hz-24KHz ± 3dB, so I would cross it a little above that. The Polk monitor 60's should probably stay at 80Hz, although its hard to tell because Polk's specifications don't make a ton of sense.

A new sub and new towers would make a killer system

By a little above you mean 90Hz? Just checking because as I've learned with audio, higher doesn't always mean a bigger number

Also, out of curiosity, why would I need to change the sub? I know that my setup is currently lacking in the towers department but I just picked up the Sub12 and it sounds (or at least I think) great. Critiques are always welcome...

 

[jrodATC]

These are examples of the correct settings if they are available. If not, go up to the next nearest option.

Klipsch RC-64 II - SMALL-80

Polk Monitor 60 - SMALL-70

RF-82 - SMALL-60

RF-7 - SMALL-50

If you can't set each x-over point separately, then 80 is best due to the RC-64 II F3. (59Hz-24KHz)

Where did you get these numbers? I'm curious because I have some Polk surrounds (RM6751--working on switching those out as well) that might be set to high according to your suggestions. My receiver can do 'small' speakers from 30-120 IIRC so there is plenty of play there.

 

[dkane360]

By a little above you mean 90Hz? Just checking because as I've learned with audio, higher doesn't always mean a bigger number

Also, out of curiosity, why would I need to change the sub? I know that my setup is currently lacking in the towers department but I just picked up the Sub12 and it sounds (or at least I think) great. Critiques are always welcome...

I would probably chose 80Hz, as Zumbo mentioned.

You don't need to change the sub, but having a more powerful sub can make a huge difference in your overall sound quality. I don't know how big your room is, so I can't really tell how well that sub works in your room.

 

[jrodATC]

I would probably chose 80Hz, as Zumbo mentioned.

You don't need to change the sub, but having a more powerful sub can make a huge difference in your overall sound quality. I don't know how big your room is, so I can't really tell how well that sub works in your room.

My theater room (living room) has somewhat odd dimensions. The speakers are laid out 11x18 or so but there is open space to the left of that which I'm positive affects the acoustics of the room. I actually upgraded the sub to the Sub12 (300w continuous, 650 peak down-firing, ported 12" driver) from a 10" Polk that could barely be heard. I went from an apartment to a house, which also explains the speaker upgrades as I'm finding that while my Polks were great in previous apartments, they're lacking in an open space like my living room. I chose the Sub12 because I couldn't find anything that beat its power for the price ($299 on Amazon). The difference was night an day...

 

[zumbo]

Where did you get these numbers? I'm curious because I have some Polk surrounds (RM6751--working on switching those out as well) that might be set to high according to your suggestions. My receiver can do 'small' speakers from 30-120 IIRC so there is plenty of play there.

F3 x 1.4 rounded up.

Can't find specs for RM6751, but the recommendation I gave for RF-82 could probably go SMALL/50 just as the RF-7.

 

[jrodATC]

I found that the F3 for the RM6751 is listed as 40Hz - 24kHz according to amazon, so, (40Hz - 24kHz) x 1.4 = set to 60Hz, correct?

I worked out that I should set my speakers as such:

RC-64 II Center = 80
Monitor 60 Towers = 70
RM6751 Surrounds = 60

Does this make sense?

 

[zumbo]

I found that the F3 for the RM6751 is listed as 40Hz - 24kHz

That doesn't look right to me. That looks like an exaggerated frequency response, and I doubt they will even do that +/-6db.

 

[jrodATC]

That doesn't look right to me. That looks like an exaggerated frequency response, and I doubt they will even do that +/-6db.

Multiple sites have the same information Amazon has listed. I wouldn't doubt it if Polk Audio exaggerates their specs, but for the purposes of what they have listed, would 60Hz be an appropriate setting for them or should I leave these at 80Hz. Or should I just get rid of them a lot sooner .

Product Type Speaker
Manufacturer Part Number RM6751
Manufacturer Website Address www.polkaudio.com
Manufacturer Polk Audio
Product Model RM6751
Product Name RM6751 Speaker
Brand Name Polk Audio
Weight (Approximate) 2 lb
Color Silver
Form Factor Wall-mountable
Height 6.50"
Width 4.06"
Depth 5"
Impedance 8 Ohm
Crossover Type 2-way
Minimum Frequency Response 40 Hz
Maximum Frequency Response 24 kHz
RMS Output Power 100 W

 

[zumbo]

Manufacturer Website Address www.polkaudio.com

Oh, that's where it is.

Now find this "Manufacturer Part Number RM6751" there.

 

[jrodATC]

Oh, that's where it is.

Now find this "Manufacturer Part Number RM6751" there.

I can't find it on the official site either. They probably pull down all outdated speakers (these are 3 years old now). Either way not too promising... I've been looking to replace these for a while but my surround speakers budget took a hit when my Pioneer AVR died.

 

[zumbo]

I can't find it on the official site either. They probably pull down all outdated speakers (these are 3 years old now). Either way not too promising... I've been looking to replace these for a while but my surround speakers budget took a hit when my Pioneer AVR died.

I would recommend 100-120 for them.

If you have been using 80 with no problems,and you want to continue with that, then it's probably okay for surround.

 

[AVRat]

They only have 3.5" driver, I'd go with 120 Hz.

 

[aggielaw]

40Hz sounds like the F10 rather than the F3. I think zumbo's numbers should work, though try cutting the frequency higher if you can get a nice blend at the the higher cutoff.

 

[AVRat]

The 40 Hz rating is for the whole 6750 system which includes the sub. They don't actually provide a response for the 6751s alone that I could find.

 

[jrodATC]

Just wanted to follow-up with everyone. I have since crossed the satellites at 120Hz, front towers at 70Hz, center at 80Hz. After doing so, the distortion was gone and the system sounded notably clearer and sharp. I also set my sub's gain to about 60% and its low-pass filter (as recommended from other readings I've done) to 120Hz/max. I am still working on tweaking the sub but overall I am very happy with how the system is sounding considering my 'weak' surrounds an mismatched towers relative to the center channel.

I also verified all of my connections, left nothing exposed, etc. Thanks for everyone's help so far, I've been learning a lot since using these forums.

 

[sholling]

I found that the F3 for the RM6751 is listed as 40Hz - 24kHz according to amazon, so, (40Hz - 24kHz) x 1.4 = set to 60Hz, correct?

40hz with the subwoofer engaged. The satellites themselves have a 3.5" woofer and need to crossover to the sub around 120-150hz.