Please help in understanding sub settings

[jayswizz]

I have a Paradigm PS-1000 sub which has 3 settings. I understand the sub level control but do not understand the other 2. One is the sub cut-off setting(50-150hz) and the other is the sub/sat phase alignment setting(0-180). I was hoping someone could help me understand what these 2 setting mean and a ballpark on where they should be set. Also, does there setting depend on what the sub is being used for(movies, music, etc). Thanks

 

[j_garcia]

Phase should normally be left on 0 unless you have an SPL meter and test tones to adjust it correctly. Ballpark, try both and see which sounds better, but in most cases, 0 should be a good starting point. If you have one speaker connected +/- and another -/+, they would be out of phase (and damage somthing potentially), one playing exactly 180 opposite to the other causing cancellation at certain frequencies. Phase adjusts this aspect of the sub relative to the mains. If they are both on the same end of the room, 0 will probably work.

The other is the crossover adjustment, which determines where the sub starts to filter out the higher frequencies. If using a receiver with a built in crossover (basically all have this these days), this should be set to the maximum setting because the receiver is taking care of it.

 

[jayswizz]

Thanks jgarcia, you are always there to help me. I currently use a Yamaha rx-v2500 as a preamp. I used the on-screen menu and set the subwoofer to 80hz. Would this be correct or should I change the setting?

 

[gcmarshall]

j_garcia:

is the crossover you referred to above the same thing as the "low pass" adjustment? my polk PSW 505 has a "low pass" knob right next to the volume know.

thanks.

 

[zumbo]

Thanks jgarcia, you are always there to help me. I currently use a Yamaha rx-v2500 as a preamp. I used the on-screen menu and set the subwoofer to 80hz. Would this be correct or should I change the setting?

If your other speakers can take it, try 60 on your receiver. It makes my sub less locateable. In other words, the bass seems like it is coming from all speakers, not from the corner I have the sub in.

 

[zumbo]

j_garcia:

is the crossover you referred to above the same thing as the "low pass" adjustment? my polk PSW 505 has a "low pass" knob right next to the volume know.

thanks.

Yes. As long as you are using your receiver to cross the freq, turn that knob all the way up.

 

[gcmarshall]

if i am using my receiver to filter/cross the frequency, does it matter at all where the "low pass" knob is set on my subwoofer. seems like it wouldn't matter.

 

[zumbo]

Well, lets say your receiver is set to 80, and your sub is set to 60. You would be missing a good bit between 60 and 80 even though it's just a rolloff point. If you turn your sub crossover all the way up, then you will get the correct blend between your sub and other speakers for fullrange.

 

[gcmarshall]

thanks. actually i think if my sub cable is plugged into my "unfiltered" jack on the back of the sub, the receiver's settings are the only one's impacting what the sub plays, thus my low pass knob on my sub is rendered meaningless. if, on the other hand, i plug my sub cable into the "filtered" jack on the back of my sub, the sub then is responsible for deciding which frequencies are allowed through.

i only know this b/c i just went and played with it and that is what happened. maybe not all subs have a filtered and unfiltered jack for the sub cable. mine does.

thanks again.

 

[zumbo]

You bet. I don't have that option on mine.