Subwoofer Low Pass Setting

[Isosevodes]

Is it wise to put a subwoofer’s Low Pass Setting on Bypass for Home Theater? Does this maneuver result in the receiver deciding which frequencies are directed to the sub? Is this common practice? I am obviously totally confused here! BTW literature accompanying the RSL Speedwoofer 12S suggests initial GAIN of 50% and Low Pass BYPASS for Home Theater and 80 Hz for stereo. Please advise. Thank you.

 

[isolar8001]

Is it wise to put a subwoofer’s Low Pass Setting on Bypass when watching Home Theater or listening to Music? Does this maneuver result in the receiver deciding which frequencies are directed to the sub? Won’t you get the exact same result if you turn the Low Pass to your subs MAXIMUM Hz and adjust sub GAIN/Volume to your liking? Is this common practice? I am obviously totally confused here! BTW literature accompanying the RSL Speedwoofer 12S suggests initial GAIN of 50% and Low Pass BYPASS for Movies and 80 Hz for Music. Why not 80Hz for both Movies and Music? Please advise. Thank you.

Many 2 channel amps don't have a crossover/bass management at all. In that case, those with stereo only units definitely want to use the Low Pass on the RSL turned on and set to at least 80hz.
Those using multichannel AVR's just need to set to 80hz on the AVR itself and use Bypass on the sub.

Their suggestion is trying to cover all bases for those running multi or 2 channel systems.

 

[Wardog555]

Short answer is absolutely yes.
I do this myself. I don't know of a single person who does it differently

 

[Isosevodes]

So since I have a multichannel AVR I should set the sub Low Pass to BYPASS and 80 Hz on the AVR ? Is this what you advise? PLEASE CLARIFY.

 

[isolar8001]

So since I have a multichannel AVR I should set the sub Low Pass to BYPASS for both Movies and Music ? Is this what you advise? PLEASE CLARIFY.

The sub should be set to BYPASS unless the owner is using a 2 channel amp.
The crossover is set on your AVR.
RSL should have been more clear in that passage from the manual...they say MOVIES (meaning multichannel) and MUSIC (meaning 2 channel). They did put (stereo) in parenthesis.
(but they did say "to get started")

It's not like you are going to have to manually adjust that knob when you play music.
But, you will find that music will have much less bass than movies....music generally doesn't have sub bass content. (or a dedicated LFE channel)
My Pioneer has a sub level right on its remote to help with that...your Onkyo has "bass".
Not sure if that is just for the sub.

Once you actually have the sub, all of this will be clear.

 

[Isosevodes]

The sub should be set to BYPASS unless the owner is using a 2 channel amp.
The crossover is set on your AVR.
RSL should have been more clear in that passage from the manual...they say MOVIES (meaning multichannel) and MUSIC (meaning 2 channel). They did put (stereo) in parenthesis.
(but they did say "to get started")

It's not like you are going to have to manually adjust that knob when you play music.
But, you will find that music will have much less bass than movies....music generally doesn't have sub bass content. (or a dedicated LFE channel)
My Pioneer has a sub level right on its remote to help with that...your Onkyo has "bass".
Not sure if that is just for the sub.

Once you actually have the sub, all of this will be clear.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH! I do understand now. I’m very sorry for the sophomoric questions. I’m obviously new to the game. I appreciate the advice from all of you!

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

THANK YOU VERY MUCH! I do understand now. I’m very sorry for the sophomoric questions. I’m obviously new to the game. I appreciate the advice from all of you!

Hey, you don’t know what ya don’t know. But I agree with isolar. Bypass it on the sub, and control it in the AVR.

 

[Trebdp83]

The 80Hz setting for Stereo is for a R and L Line Level IN connection. You need only use the single LFE IN on the subwoofer connected to one of the Subwoofer pre outs on the receiver and Bypass should be used as @isolar8001 mentioned.

The LPF of LFE Output setting in the receiver should be set to 120Hz. Speakers set to Small will default to an 80Hz Crossover but that may not be the optimal setting for each speaker.

Onkyo receivers have presets for Klipsch speakers. If you input your Klipsch Center Channel Speaker and Klipsch Subwoofer models into the Onkyo’s Speaker Combo settings, you will notice it lock them both to 120Hz.

Adjusting the Bass level will have an effect on all channels and the amount of Bass actually sent to the subwoofer from each channel will be determined by their Crossover setting.

Even when the Crossover and Bass level are adjusted to one’s liking, Bass output may still seem low when listening to some music. The Subwoofer level can be bumped up in the QUICK MENU and will return to its former setting when the receiver is put into Standby.

 

[Isosevodes]

The 80Hz setting for Stereo is for a R and L Line Level IN connection. You need only use the single LFE IN on the subwoofer connected to one of the Subwoofer pre outs on the receiver and Bypass should be used as @isolar8001 mentioned.

The LPF of LFE Output setting in the receiver should be set to 120Hz. Speakers set to Small will default to an 80Hz Crossover but that may not be the optimal setting for each speaker.

Onkyo receivers have presets for Klipsch speakers. If you input your Klipsch Center Channel Speaker and Klipsch Subwoofer models into the Onkyo’s Speaker Combo settings, you will notice it lock them both to 120Hz.

Adjusting the Bass level will have an effect on all channels and the amount of Bass actually sent to the subwoofer from each channel will be determined by their Crossover setting.

Even when the Crossover and Bass level are adjusted to one’s liking, Bass output may still seem low when listening to some music. The Subwoofer level can be bumped up in the QUICK MENU and will return to its former setting when the receiver is put into Standby.

EXCELLENT INFORMATION! Thank you! My former sub was plugged into LFE and the AVR Sub Setting was 120 Hz exactly as you stated. My Speedwoofer 12S arrives Tuesday. You guys have been a TREMENDOUS help. THANK YOU!