Finally Got MY System Up And Running

[Tony3d]

I put together a small computer system consisting of Audioengine P4 Speakers.
Audioengine - Join the computer audio revolution


A Topping TP21 Tripath amp.
Topping TP21 Class T Digital Amplifier with Headphone 25 WPC 310-310


A Dayton Sub 800 8" Subwoofer.
Dayton Audio SUB-800 8" 80 Watt Powered Subwoofer 300-627


I have to say I'm pretty impressed with how mush good clean sound $419.00 can buy today. My question is Why is it that I have to set the phase switch on my Sub 180 degrees out of phase for the sound to really emanate from the satellites? If I set it to 0 degrees is seems to come more from the sub than blend with the satellites. I'm new to subs as my main reference system is full range floor standing system. Also, other than using a scope which I don't have access currently to, what audible signs should I be looking for that constitutes clipping? Again my reference system pumps out a total of 1600 watts RMS (400 into each speaker) so clipping is a non issue.


I am very impressed with this setup. it's clean, very dynamic, and dead silent with no input! what more can one ask from a computer system?

 

[afterlife2]

Congrats on the new system and enjoy! Here is some reading material:
Basic Subwoofer Setup Guide NOT for Dummies | Audioholics
and
How To Set Up a Subwoofer (or Subwoofers) for Home Theater: BigPictureBigSound

 

[Grador]

Glad you're liking your computer setup!

To answer your questions, the subwoofer phase switch is used to make sure the subwoofer and speakers are "in phase" witch each other. When you get down to subwoofer territory (below say 100 hz) the sound pressure waves become quite long (only shifting positive/negative pressure 100 times a second) and because of this distance differences (and sometimes slight delays in amplifiers) between the speakers and subwoofer can actually cause the pressure waves to work against each.other (called destructive interference). Flipping that phase switch inverts the power sent to the cone, so that instead of destructive interference the sub/speakers now work together (constructive interference).

As for clipping, there's really nothing better to tell you than to watch out for your speakers sounding "harsh" or "strained." If they sound like they're struggling in anyway then turn the volume down.

 

[Tony3d]

Glad you're liking your computer setup!

To answer your questions, the subwoofer phase switch is used to make sure the subwoofer and speakers are "in phase" witch each other. When you get down to subwoofer territory (below say 100 hz) the sound pressure waves become quite long (only shifting positive/negative pressure 100 times a second) and because of this distance differences (and sometimes slight delays in amplifiers) between the speakers and subwoofer can actually cause the pressure waves to work against each.other (called destructive interference). Flipping that phase switch inverts the power sent to the cone, so that instead of destructive interference the sub/speakers now work together (constructive interference).

As for clipping, there's really nothing better to tell you than to watch out for your speakers sounding "harsh" or "strained." If they sound like they're struggling in anyway then turn the volume down.

Thanks for the very clear explanation. In my small room of 10' X 11' this little system really shines. I wasn't expecting much from this little Dayton sub, but it actually presents an impressive amount of real tight bass. I have it crossing over at about 100Hz, and it seems to blend quite well there with the P4's. Turned up the gain on it till I could just here then bumped it up one tick higher. Seems very well balanced, no boom, just tight bass. The little Topping amp is rated at 25 watts a channel. I'm pretty confident I'm getting 10-12 clean watts out of it. That in combination with the subs 80 watts is producing sound that is certainly very high quality. Dynamics are very impressive. I'm happy so far. I'm just curious how long the amp, and sub will actually last. The sub has an auto on off circuit which seems to work quite well. Like my main reference system I'm going to leave the amp, and sub on 24 hours a day. Been doing that with my main system for the last 5 years with no problems at all.

 

[Tony3d]

Here are some pictures of the setup. This sounds so good I'm thinking of hauling down to my living room just to see how it fairs in a larger room where I spread the speakers out a bit more.
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