So, I've been reading the articles that Gene and Clint have published on the main Audioholics site relating to subwoofer setup, and I've been tweaking my setup accordingly.
My system includes a Pioneer Elite VSX-82TXS, B&W DM603 S3s (bi-amped from the AVR) for my left and right main speakers, a B&W LCR600 S3 for the center, NHT 1.3As for the rear speakers, and an Earthquake SuperNova MKV-15 as my subwoofer (it's way bigger than what I need, but I bought a demo model from at a factory warehouse sale for $150).
I've done many of the things they've suggested in their articles (e.g. setting the X-over on the subwoofer's control at its highest point and relying on the AVR's ability to manage the Xover digitally, setting all my speakers, including the B&Ws, to Small, etc...).
I'm experimenting with one last tweak, and I thought I'd ask for members' feedback. In this article (
http://www.audioholics.com/tweaks/get-good-bass/the-marriage-between-the-subwoofer-and-tower-speakers), Gene discusses moving away from the THX-recommended xover point of 80 Hz, and that's what I'm doing. My B&Ws are comfortable down to around 40 Hz, and my NHTs are rated down to 52 Hz (+/- 3 db).
This is where I'm a little bit nervous: my AVR has several set xover points. I had been using 80 Hz, but I thought that the B&Ws are a little better behaved in the region between 80 and 50 Hz than the subwoofer is. Now I've switched to using the next lowest Xover point on the AVR: 50 Hz.
My question:
Am I putting my rear speakers at risk by doing this? Like I mentioned above, they're rated down to 52 Hz.
I really like the improved mid-bass with the lower crossover, but I don't want to damage my NHT speakers. And, yes, I do, especially when I have the house to myself, play music and movies loud occasionally.
Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
