How do you run your sub?

[DonBattles]

How are most of you running your sub? I have a SVS SB-12plus and prefer the sound when using the built in crossover, although the manual suggests using the AV's crossover? So how are you running yours and why?

 

[Brian_the_King]

I have my family's HT set up to use the receivers' crossover, since the mains are small and rather low-quality klipsch bookshelves.. I like the idea that the receiver is not allowing them to play frequencies lower than those they can produce.

 

[Adam]

I run my PC13-Ultra with the crossover disabled and let the receiver do the bass management.

 

[Alex2507]

I run my PS10's with the crossovers disabled and let the receiver do the bass management.

 

[DonBattles]

I run my PC13-Ultra with the crossover disabled and let the receiver do the bass management.

I run my PS10's with the crossovers disabled and let the receiver do the bass management.

Thanks for the replies but any reason why? I ask because when I use my AV as the control the output seem more boomey. Plus I was getting what sounded like voice in the sub. Noticed this when watching animal planet and the narrator was speaking, he had a rather low voice. I then switched to the subs X-over and that effect seemed to go away. And just to be sure I unhooked the SubCast and still got the same results. I never noticed this before but now the sub is right next to my normal viewing position and I may simply never noticed it before.

 

[Adam]

Don, what crossover frequency (or frequencies, if different for different speakers) are you using in the receiver and the sub?

 

[Adam]

Oh, to answer your question: I think that my receiver does a fine job of bass management, and I don't want the electronics in the sub to add any more filtering.

If I was hearing voices from my sub, I'd change that. And maybe try some medication. J/K!

 

[DonBattles]

Don, what crossover frequency (or frequencies, if different for different speakers) are you using in the receiver and the sub?

The LFE is set to 80 Hz, about the same on the sub.

 

[Alex2507]

The LFE is set to 80 Hz, about the same on the sub.

Is your crossover disabled on your sub when you use your AVR for bass management? It should be.

 

[DonBattles]

Is your crossover disabled on your sub when you use your AVR for bass management? It should be.

If you are referring to the small switch on the back of the sub then the answer is yes. It was when set to "disabled" (it was like this from the first time I hooked it up) and moved it near my seating position that I noticed the voice output.

 

[Alex2507]

That's what I meant. I just looked at your manual. Nice sub btw. You should probably list your rec'r in this thread to help get the issue resolved.

Just to clarify though, your speakers are set to small in your rec'r? List your speakers too. Are you sure they can do 80Hz?

 

[TLS Guy]

If you are referring to the small switch on the back of the sub then the answer is yes. It was when set to "disabled" (it was like this from the first time I hooked it up) and moved it near my seating position that I noticed the voice output.

Obviously your sub crossover is higher order than you AVR crossover. Some AV receivers have only first order crossovers which is never adequate. Since the frequencies are high enough to hear voice, I suspect the crossover in you receiver is probably first order. If it is first order, then your sub would only be down 6db at 160 Hz. Most AVR crossovers are second order which would put your sub down 12 db at 160 Hz. Now quite a few sub crossovers are 24 db which would put your sub down 24 db at 160 Hz which is more appropriate.

So in your situation you will get the best results using the crossover with the steepest roll off. Look in your manuals and see which is the steepest. However from your description it has to be the crossover in the sub.

 

[Gov]

sub crossover disabled and let the receiver do the bass management.

Thats the way I run mine too

 

[DonBattles]

....

Did a rest on the AVR today and ran the audyssey EQ and looked at the setting that were assigned. Front and center were given full range, my surrounds 150hz, and the LFE 100hz. I'll listen this was with the sub's X-over disabled. So far it sounds pretty good but I'll have to change up the music a bit and maybe watch a little movie footage before I'll know for sure.

 

[Alex2507]

Did a rest on the AVR today and ran the audyssey EQ and looked at the setting that were assigned. Front and center were given full range, my surrounds 150hz, and the LFE 100hz. I'll listen this was with the sub's X-over disabled. So far it sounds pretty good but I'll have to change up the music a bit and maybe watch a little movie footage before I'll know for sure.

Unless I'm way off the mark, that is completely screwed up. I looked at your thread in the Gallery. Your speakers can't handle full range. They need to be set to small. The thing that will be of most assistance to you is doing some reading. Have you snooped around on the main page? Tips and Tricks and AV University are where you will find the articles with basic set up info.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Just change the LR back to small and set a crossover of 80hz and you will be pretty darn close. I would turn the surrounds to 100 and the LFE to 80 if it were me.

 

[DonBattles]

Just change the LR back to small and set a crossover of 80hz and you will be pretty darn close. I would turn the surrounds to 100 and the LFE to 80 if it were me.

During the set up the receiver never asked if the speakers were small or large. I did the reset because I couldn't recall what I had them set to and could not find the setting in speaker set up. I actually had things set as you suggest but didn't find the sound very appealing. Maybe I've just listened to things not being right for so long that my ears are not trained well enough

 

[DonBattles]

Unless I'm way off the mark, that is completely screwed up. I looked at your thread in the Gallery. Your speakers can't handle full range. They need to be set to small. The thing that will be of most assistance to you is doing some reading. Have you snooped around on the main page? Tips and Tricks and AV University are where you will find the articles with basic set up info.

Here are the spec's as reported by MA:

Frequency Response: 38 Hz - 30 KHz
Sensitivity (1W@1M): 91 dB
Nominal Impedance: 6 Ohms
Power Handling (RMS): 120 W
Recommended Amplifier Requirements (RMS):40 - 120 W
Tweeter Crossover Frequency: 3 KHz
Drive Unit Compliment: 1 x 6” C-CAM® Bass, 1 x 6” C-CAM® Bass Mid-range. 1 x 1” (25 mm) gold dome C-CAM® tweeter.
Cabinet Design: Balanced velocity twin reflex ported
Product External Dimensions: (H x W x D) 850 x 185 x 250 mm 33 1/2 x 7 1/4 x 9 7/8 inch
Plinth Dimensions: (H x W x D) 25 x 255 x 305 mm,(1 x 10 x 12 Inch)
Individual Weight: 18 Kg (39.6 lb)

 

[Alex2507]

Just to be completely transparent here let me say that I don't know anything about your rec'r.

Set all your speakers to small.
Set all your crossovers to 80Hz.
Set all the distances yourself with a tape measure.

I couldn't find your polk's specs but this is a fine starting point and an ending point for most. If you can get your center under the TV, great. If not push it forward as much as possible and use some rubber door stops to angle it down. I think your surrounds could do with better placement but that's for later.

I had missed page 2 of your gallery and didn't look at your sig closely before. I don't trust the auto set ups worth beans. I think you're off to a wonderful start. Try not to get stressed.

 

[DonBattles]

Just to be completely transparent here let me say that I don't know anything about your rec'r.

Set all your speakers to small.
Set all your crossovers to 80Hz.
Set all the distances yourself with a tape measure.

I couldn't find your polk's specs but this is a fine starting point and an ending point for most. If you can get your center under the TV, great. If not push it forward as much as possible and use some rubber door stops to angle it down. I think your surrounds could do with better placement but that's for later.

I had missed page 2 of your gallery and didn't look at your sig closely before. I don't trust the auto set ups worth beans. I think you're off to a wonderful start. Try not to get stressed.

Ok, just to be clear. I'm running Monitor Audio Silver RS6's in the front and their RSLCR as center. The Polk RM3000 are the surrounds. The Polk's will soon be gone, I going to install MA's C265-FX's ( http://www.monitoraudiousa.com/product.php?range=11&application=11&product=78 ) in a month or two. I would prefer some RSFX's but that's not going to fly with the little lady I will also need to make sure that my ceiling install passes the wardens inspection as she is very picky about the spacing between the speakers and the recessed lighting fixtures. This still may not be optimal but they will be further away from the corners of the room and closer to being overhead. But as you say more on that when the time comes
What I find most frustrating is I make some adjustments and all sounds good, I then leave and return to enjoy my new sounds and it sounds all wrong. I think I'm loosing my mind.....LOL....