cross over set points

[rut]

Hey guys I'm a complete novice here. I just picked up a B&W asw cdm powered sub and trying to hook it up with my system. All my speakers are full range towers (cerwin vega, energy and mirage). I have a yamaha 5590 with a fixed cross over at 90.

This sub is freakin awesome but I have no idea how all the different settings work. The sub has a low frequency crossover dial and a low pass filter switch from in to out. Since my reciever has a fixed crossover does that mean i need to leave the dial at 90? Can anybody recomend a good setting for any of these or any good tips when trying to set up a powered sub? And whats a good way to set the volume on the back of the sub? Thanks.

 

[oppman99]

There is no single correct way to set up a sub. It depends on your equipment, room ect. Some choose to run their speakers full range with a sub. I personally cross my digms at 50 Hz, but they are easily capable of playing lower. If your AVR has a fixed crossover, generally you will want your sub crossover set at the max frequency (so you don't have both the sub and AVR filtering the signal). As for the volume on the back of the sub, you may need to experiment a little. Currently I have my sub set very low. I recently replaced a couple of HT subs, but when I was using them they were both set around the mid level on the back of the sub. Read this article. It should give you a good place to start.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Do you even own a sub?

There is no single correct way to set up a sub. It depends on your equipment, room ect. Some choose to run their speakers full range with a sub. I personally cross my digms at 50 Hz, but they are easily capable of playing lower. If your AVR has a fixed crossover, generally you will want your sub crossover set at the max frequency (so you don't have both the sub and AVR filtering the signal). As for the volume on the back of the sub, you may need to experiment a little. Currently I have my sub set very low. I recently replaced a couple of HT subs, but when I was using them they were both set around the mid level on the back of the sub. Read this article. It should give you a good place to start.

 

[oppman99]

Do you even own a sub?

Well, it's a big ugly pos that sounds like crap.....

Just about fell off my chair when I read your comment.

 

[yepimonfire]

if your receiver is stuck at 90 you have no choice but to crank the x-over on the sub to the highest frequency, secondly as far as volume goes, turn the volume half way up, go and sit where you would normally sit and see how it sounds.

 

[caper26]

From my MA RS-w12 manual:

Low Pass Filter Switch.
When set to the ‘In’ position the crossover frequency control (section 2) is
activated and can be adjusted from 40Hz to 120Hz using the crossover frequency
control. When set to the ‘In’ position it can be used with an amplifier that does
not have a dedicated sub-woofer or LFE output, such as a stereo 2-channel
amplifier. If the amplifier or A/V processor has a dedicated LFE or sub-woofer
output, the Low pass filter switch should be set to the ‘Out’ position. The low
pass filter will then be set by the amplifier internal filter. This should be set in
accordance with the amplifier or A/V processor user guide.

So if your sub is set up like this one, then you want to set the low pass to OUT, which disables the crossover dial completely, and won't interfere with the 90 Hz setting on your receiver. This is the proper way for you. As stated earlier, set volume about half to start, and adjust to your personal taste after playing some material.