New Speaker Set-up

[Humble1]

Hello All,

Well I finally got my new HT system and I need some help setting the speakers within the receiver. I did the auto config on my receiver (pioneer 1019) and it identified all my speakers as large (L, C, R, Surrs). I do not know if this is correct or not because I have read some post where they say to change your speakers to small so I don’t know what I should do. I checked the crossover and it was set to 80 regardless if the speakers where set to large or small. I would just like to know if I would be losing anything by setting my speakers to small as opposed to large. Thanks in advance.

Speakers:
Ascend bookshelf’s
CMT 340Se (L,C,R)
CBM 170Se (rears)

 

[Adam]

Hi. What sub(s) are you using? With smaller speakers like those, you'd typically want to set them to "small" to let the subwoofer(s) handle the lower frequencies because the subs should be better at it. If you don't have a subwoofer, then you definitely want to keep them as "large" and set the receiver menu to indicate that you don't have a sub.

The proof is always in the pudding, though, and with how quick and easy it is to toggle the receiver menu between "small" and "large," you can check out the difference in sound very easily. I'd suggest doing that just so that you know and can decide which you prefer.

 

[Humble1]

Hey Adam,

Thanks for the reply. I forgot to mention my sub as it is an old Sony sub. I have a SVS sub on the way (PB12). Just one more quick question if I may. My understanding of setting the speakers to small was to do as you said in regards to the sub carrying the load. What I am getting confused about is that if the crossover is set to 80 regardless if the speakers are small or large is there any benefits to the small or large settings? I will defiantly play around and toggle the speaker settings as you suggested thanks again.

 

[JerryLove]

If you set a speaker to "small", then frequencies below the crossover will be sent to the sub rather than the speaker.

If you set a speaker to "large", then all frequencies will be sent to that speaker.

It is almost always better to set your speakers to "small", unless they have better LF performance than your sub.

Base your crossover point (if you cannot set for individual speakers) on the perfomance of your fronts/center, as a somewhat off setting for the back won't be as noticeable.

 

[Humble1]

Hey Jerry,

Got it! Thank you & Adam as well.