Wanting more bass out of my speakers.

[leeb]

I have a denon avr e400 reciever. Bic america speakers, and subwoofer. My towers are rtr 3 way 15" subs. My f12 sub is fine it actually sounds pretty good. I just wondered when I switch the receiver from multiple channel over to stereo and turn it up is there anyway I could get a little more on the towers? I really don't know a lot that's why I'm here. Or maybe the towers to big for my receiver? Thanks for reading and sharing in advance.

 

[KEW]

Your receiver is rated at 90WPC, which should do fine unless there is something unusual about your speakers.
Are these your speakers?
http://www.staples.com/Bic-America-RtR-15-inch-Tower-Speaker/product_213261?cid=PS:GooglePLAs:213261&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=213261&KPID=213261&lsft=cid:PS-_-GooglePLAs-_-213261,kpid:213261&gclid=Cj0KEQiAiNi0BRDaobaq3dKJhrwBEiQAyVThzWxf1I3CxVZ3IxZt6FlAUMzC9sM1K17Acsi4dL3oojoaAh6-8P8HAQ

If so RTR rates them as 10-325 watts per channel and you should be fine - I don't think a company would say 10Watts is enough if an amp as capable as the Denon would not do the trick.

 

[markw]

First off, for clarity's sake, those big red speakers in your towers aren't subwoofers. They are plain old woofers.

Now, keeping that in mind, a lot of these big driver systems do well in the in upper/mid bass region but often lack in deep, extended bass.

You might want to explore the Denon's owners manual to see if there is a setting that allows the sub to play in two channel mode.

 

[KEW]

Mark probably has your answer, you likely need to switch your speakers from Large to Small to allow the sub to become active. I know, 15" woofers doesn't sound like a "small" speaker. Just trust us and try it!
But first, please verify the exact speaker you have so we can be sure of the specifications!

 

[leeb]

Your receiver is rated at 90WPC, which should do fine unless there is something unusual about your speakers.
Are these your speakers?
http://www.staples.com/Bic-America-RtR-15-inch-Tower-Speaker/product_213261?cid=PS:GooglePLAs:213261&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=213261&KPID=213261&lsft=cid:PS-_-GooglePLAs-_-213261,kpid:213261&gclid=Cj0KEQiAiNi0BRDaobaq3dKJhrwBEiQAyVThzWxf1I3CxVZ3IxZt6FlAUMzC9sM1K17Acsi4dL3oojoaAh6-8P8HAQ

If so RTR rates them as 10-325 watts per channel and you should be fine - I don't think a company would say 10Watts is enough if an amp as capable as the Denon would not do the trick.

Yes, that is them. I couldn't figure out how to upload a picture."The following error occurred:The uploaded file does not have an allowed extension." They are in jpg format and under 1mb so idk

 

[leeb]

First off, for clarity's sake, those big red speakers in your towers aren't subwoofers. They are plain old woofers.

Now, keeping that in mind, a lot of these big driver systems do well in the in upper/mid bass region but often lack in deep, extended bass.

You might want to explore the Denon's owners manual to see if there is a setting that allows the sub to play in two channel mode.

Thank you Mark, I will get in there and look. I can hold down the surround mode music button and switch to stereo. And only the towers and the powered subwoofer play. Thanks for clearing that up to.

 

[leeb]

 

[fmw]

The solution, of course, is to implement a subwoofer.

 

[leeb]

I already have the formula 12 subwoofer. Think I should upgrade to the BIC Acoustech PL200 Subwoofer? I think it is 1000w. And to be honest I don't even know how to adjust it properly. I know that I can turn it up where it thumps pretty good. I guess what I'm wanting is that lower bass Mark was talking about.

 

[markw]

There's more in what makes a good subwoofer bedsides watts. That PL200 isn't really a significant change. It's almost a lateral move.

If you really want an improvement, save yer ## for something from Hsu, SVS, or some other dedicated subwoofer manufacturer. Figure on at least $500.

FYI, I have an F12 and, for the $$, it's a really good performer.

To adjust a subwoofer, set the crossover so the sub takes over where your mains stop reproducing, to minimize the overlap between the two. Kerfutz with that and it's level control until you find a good balance.

 

[leeb]

Ok, I switched my front speakers to small ( Bic rtr 15") they are set to 40Hz in my reciever. Manufacturer specifications 10-325w and 33Hz-19KHz.

center set to small (Bic formula FH6-LCR 6 1/2") it is set to 100Hz in my reciever. Manufacturer specifications 175w 40Hz-23KHz 95db.

Subwoofer powered (Bic F12) manufacturer specifications 150wRms 25Hz-200Hz 90-116dB

surround set to small (Bic formula FH-65B 6 1/2") it is set to 40Hz in my reciever. Manufacturer specifications 175w rms 40Hz-23KHz 96db.

speakers/bass
subwoofer mode (LFE+Main)
LPF for LFE. 8Hz

Audio/Subwoofer Level
Subwoofer. On
Subwoofer Level. +1.0dB

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I'd recommend to "kerfutz" more with your mains crossover point as 40hz might be a tad to low. Try upping it to 60 to 100 with 5-10hz steps and see what works best for YOU, in YOUR room

 

[markw]

BSA is correct.

Perhaps I should have been a bit clearer. speaker specs are not very exact. The upper/lower numbers they show are generally a few db down from their main range, and they "slope" down to there from a somewhat higher frequency, which is more representative of the speakers "real" frequency response..

Set the sub's crossover to a but above that low number. i.e. if the mains are specced to 40 hz, start playing around 60 -100 hz.

It's not an exact science. Play with it. You won't hurt anything.

 

[leeb]

All I can say is "Wow" crazy improvement! In changing the mains to 60Hz and switching them to small. Now so you are saying Mark set the mains crossover between 60 and 100Hz? That would be the lowest frequency they start playing at whichever I pick. And the subwoofer would play anything below that frequency which brings me to the subs crossover, what would be a good starting point to adjust my subs crossover to?

sub looks like it goes from 40-180 Hz. I have the sub on 80Hz volue at 7. Mains are set to small 60Hz.
sub also has a phase 0-180 degrees. It is set on 0 does that mean anything.

 

[markw]

Since you're using the receivers bass management system, you want to set the sub's crossover to it's highest setting. That way, it won't interfere with the receivers management.

What's it set to now?

I wouldn't worry about the phase. Flip it a few times and if you find an improvement, leave it that way.

 

[leeb]

The sub was all the way up, and I turned it down to 80Hz. I'll turn itback up all the way

 

[markw]

The sub was all the way up, and I turned it down to 80Hz. I'll turn itback up all the way

By doing this, the sub's crossover will not be doing anything. If your receiver is sending over frequencies below the sub's highest frequency, than it will be controlling everything. The sub will just sit back and enjoy the ride.

So, if the sub's max frequency is 180 and the receiver is set to 100, or any frequency below that 180, the sub's crossover will be out of the picture. ...which you want.

 

[leeb]

Subwoofer mode LFE+Main
The LFE channels crossover point is set on 80Hz according to my receiver. I dont know which one I want. Which one you recommend? I got some thinking/reading to do so I can wrap my mind around this. kinda embarrassing. So my sub on my reciever is set to 80Hz and my sub is all the way up on the crossover. So that means my frequency sent from my reciever is lower than the crossover frequency set on the back of my sub. This means my subs crossover is out of the picture and controlled by my reciever.

 

[KEW]

Right. The idea is to bypass the sub's crossover, and, unless your sub has a bypass switch, the easiest way to avoid the sub's crossover is to turn it up to 180Hz or whatever the highest setting is.

 

[KEW]

SVS put together a guide to settings (note, your speakers are under BIC for manufacturer and rtr830 for model). I would not take it for gospel, but it gives a good starting point.
I would start with their setting of 60Hz crossover. If it sounds good, leave it there for a couple of weeks and get acclimated to the new sound. Then start playing with alternatives to see what is best. I think it may all sound so different/better that you won't be in a good position to decide the best setting!

Setup Adjustment feature Setting
1 AV Receiver or Surround Sound Processor
Performing Digital Bass Management Recommended Speaker/Subwoofer Crossover Frequency (Hz) 60 Hz

(Ignore part 2. This is what you would do if your AVR did not have any control for bass - KEW)
2 2 - Channel Application Recommended Low Pass Filter Frequency Setting (Hz) 40 Hz
Recommended Low Pass Filter Slope (dB/octave) 24 dB/octave

http://www.svsound.com/pages/merlin