Definitve technology speaker settings

[Tanman21]

You can switch the effects on and off. I would run it then compair how each mode sounds.

What a avr do you have?

 

[Adam320]

I don't have an AVR yet.. Looking at Denon 4100.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I don't have an AVR yet.. Looking at Denon 4100.

If you get the Denon 4000 or 4100 w/ Audyssey XT32, I think you should definitely run the auto calibration first. Then manually change a few things.

 

[BlwnAway]

I returned my 8040st's and got the 8060's.

I wish I had an audiophile that could set up my system perfect, that way I could just know I had the best set up possible.

If it were me and I was manually setting up your speakers I would do this:
Crossover main setting to "Individual".
Front L/R - 40hz
Center - 50hz
Everything else - 80hz
Then I would split (Y splitter) the full range low level outputs for the fronts and center, one going to the Emotiva, one going to the low level (LFE) inputs on these three speakers.
Receiver LFE just to the Sub, and experiment with both the LFE and LFE + settings to see which you liked best.

IMO, by doing this your letting your Fronts work to their full ability as truly Full Range speakers, and creating a fuller front sound stage.

Then of you want to experiment you can try this, after tweaking the volume adjustments on the speakers to your liking and listening for a while, go back into your settings and switch your Fronts to Large and make sure your LFE is set to LFE +, it won't hurt anything to try it this way and just see which "you" like best.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Sorry complete newb here.. Is auto setup not the same as audyssey? This is copied direct from the manual for the center channel and the surrounds, this warning was not in the manual for the towers:

"VERY IMPORTANT:

Do not use your receiver’s auto set-up functions as they are
often ineffective in setting up and adjusting speakers with builtin
powered subwoofers!"

That's their opinion.

Based on my experience, I think it's best to set up each tower as "2 separate speakers" - the mid/treble + bass (regular wires to the speakers + LFE input).

Run Audyssey XT32. Then manually go back and set all speakers to small and XO to 80Hz. Then use Audyssey Bypass L/R + Dynamic EQ, but turn OFF Dynamic Volume.

You may want to manually increase the Center channel level by 1-2dB. Also increase the Subwoofer level 2-6dB to achieve the bass level you want.

 

[Duckbacker]

I purchased the Definitive Technology BP-8080 system a few months ago when they went on sale. They are all set up now but I was so impressed with Audioholics review of the RSL Speedwoofer 10S sub that I bought two of them and am ready to integrate them into my system. My question is this: Do I still need to power up my front towers if I am using a pair, perhaps even more of the 10s's? I have tried it both ways and I don't hear any difference either in using my SPL meter or in actual sound reproduction. If I do leave them unplugged, does my frequency response change and if so, by how much?

 

[MR.MAGOO]

My Yamaha RX-A1020 does not seem to offer much choice in speaker settings. For example, subwoofer at 200Hz, that's it. I can adjust levels of all speakers at -10 or +10dB, that's it. Any ideas for a more robust AVR?

Main speakers L/R: Definitive Technology Studio Monitor 65, bi-amp'ed.
Center: Definitive Technology Pro Center 1000
Subs: (2) Definitive Technology ProSub 800 (300 watts each)
Surround Sides L/R: Cambridge Audio Minx Min10 (those little cubes 3x3x3")
Surround Back L/R: same as above. (powered by Niles SI-2100 amp due to mains being bi-amp'ed)

I've got some pairs of other Definitive Technology speakers (Studio Monitor 45's and 55's), maybe I'll swap them with the Cambridge Audio's.

 

[BlwnAway]

I purchased the Definitive Technology BP-8080 system a few months ago when they went on sale. They are all set up now but I was so impressed with Audioholics review of the RSL Speedwoofer 10S sub that I bought two of them and am ready to integrate them into my system. My question is this: Do I still need to power up my front towers if I am using a pair, perhaps even more of the 10s's? I have tried it both ways and I don't hear any difference either in using my SPL meter or in actual sound reproduction. If I do leave them unplugged, does my frequency response change and if so, by how much?

I take it when you say "tried then both ways" you mean tried it with just the RSL's connected to the LFE and both the RSL's and the subs in the towers connected to the LFE.
If this is the case and you hear no difference then this means that your RSL's are doing the job for you and you don't really need the subs in the towers for Bass reinforcement. So now it's time to try using the towers as a more full range speaker and playing with crossover settings. Simply unplug the LFE connections to your towers this will activate the internal crossover to the subs and allow them to integrate with the Mids and Tweeters. Then you can experiment with running your Fronts as Large or as small with a lower than 80hz crossover, and don't forget to adjust the powered woofer volume levels along the way.

Simply pick the setting that you think sounds best, even with an 80hz crossover and set to small, the powered woofers will still be used to reinforce the bass frequencies from 80hz up to the internal crossover point for the Mids, many of us actually prefer the sound with them set as Large, whether it's "technically correct" or not, just choose what you think sounds best to you in your room.

 

[Duckbacker]

I take it when you say "tried then both ways" you mean tried it with just the RSL's connected to the LFE and both the RSL's and the subs in the towers connected to the LFE.
QUOTE]

No, what I meant when I said by trying them both ways, I was referring to the sound output of the Def Tech BP8080 towers when plugged in and not plugged in. This was before I even purchased the Speedwoofers. I ran them both ways; as large and as small with the crossovers set at 80Hz in both scenarios. I was using speaker wire and LFE inputs from my Denon X6200W. They (the Def Techs) sounded identical either way, whether plugged in or not.

 

[BlwnAway]

No, what I meant when I said by trying them both ways, I was referring to the sound output of the Def Tech BP8080 towers when plugged in and not plugged in. This was before I even purchased the Speedwoofers. I ran them both ways; as large and as small with the crossovers set at 80Hz in both scenarios. I was using speaker wire and LFE inputs from my Denon X6200W. They (the Def Techs) sounded identical either way, whether plugged in or not.

Hmm, either way, sending it LFE -vs- not sending it LFE should have sounded different, if for nothing more than losing the LFE channel content. Were you possibly using the "+" or "extra bass" setting in the receiver, this will sometimes add LFE into the mains no matter what, so then plugged in -vs- not would simply be changing whether you were using the AVR's crossover or the speakers.
Either way, with the new Subs, you should simply do speaker wire only and play with "Large" or "Small" settings.

 

[Duckbacker]

Hmm, either way, sending it LFE -vs- not sending it LFE should have sounded different, if for nothing more than losing the LFE channel content. Were you possibly using the "+" or "extra bass" setting in the receiver, this will sometimes add LFE into the mains no matter what, so then plugged in -vs- not would simply be changing whether you were using the AVR's crossover or the speakers.
Either way, with the new Subs, you should simply do speaker wire only and play with "Large" or "Small" settings.

Thanks so much for your input. I am doing exactly as you suggested with regard to the wiring of the BP-8080 ST towers and the new subs (now up to three and waiting for the fourth). I wired in the third Speedwoofer 10S today and it has really opened up the whole room to a new level of sound pressure. Of course playing the 4K version of Deadpool at near reference level volume didn't hurt matters either. I have the Geek Squad scheduled to come out next Saturday for some other matters. I will have them look into this dilemma about the power issue with the towers. I will report back with their findings on what's going on. I didn't mess with any of the receiver's bass settings; they were left in the same condition as the Geek Squad left them in the last time they were here. The only thing I messed with was plugging and unplugging both the power cables and the LFE cables to the towers. All I know right now is I am a very happy camper with the sound.