Low Frequency - Set by Subwoofer or Receiver?

[radovantz]

Good Morning.. I hope someone could help me explain whether actual low frequency is set by subwoofer built-in amp, or receiver.

If I have a receiver with lowest frequency of 40Hz, does it worth using a subwoofer with lowest frequency say 20Hz?

How could I enjoy 20Hz performance while the receiver lowest frequency is just to 40Hz?

Thank you

radovantz

 

[Andrew Everard]

Which receiver is it? I have a feeling you're getting confused between the receiver's frequency response and its subwoofer roll-off frequency.

 

[radovantz]

Thank you Mr Andrew. Yes, i am confused. Does frequency control at subwoofer independent from frequency response at receiver setting. I am however always turn the SW frequency as low as possible, and set freq response at 80Hz

 

[Andrew Everard]

Best plan is to set the frequency roll-off on the subwoofer as high as possible - many subs have an LFE setting at the top end of their roll-off control - so that the sub is effectively working full range.

Then use the frequency setting - effectively the upper cut-off for the subwoofer - on the receiver to set the point where the sub hands over to the main speakers. This will be determined by the frequency response of the main speakers: 80Hz is the THX sugggestion, but with bigger front left5/right speakers you might want to set the crossover point lower.

 

[Anonymous]

So if I am reading this correct, with my Kef 2005.2 speakers, i want to turn the crossover frequency up to the max, and set my Sony DA5000 (something liket hat) crossover frequency to 80Hz

then play around with the volume to get it to a level I like

Never did fully understand how to set up my sub-woofer properly

 

[Andrew Everard]

Yes, sub frequency and gain controls to max, and make all the LF settings on the receiver/amp's speaker set-up menu. 80Hz should be fine with those speakers, but you might try a higher crossover point - 100 or 120Hz - and see whether you prefer that. It's a matter of taste.

 

[Anonymous]

I have some Kef 2005.2 and use a crossover of 100. I find it gives a warmer less clinical sound with music. Not as harsh on long listening sessions.

 

[Andrew Everard]

My point exactly, Thank you.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi,

Sorry to jump in on this thread but it seems to be going some way to answering my problem.
I've finally managed to get the equipment all set up in following configuration:

RS6 Bi-amped to 875

RS Center Bi-wired to 875

RS1 connected to rear outputs on 875

RSW12 Connected to Sub Output on 875

PS3 Conncted to 875 via HDMI.

Have set everything up as per manuals and left most things on default for time being (RSW12 low pass filter off etc), however even with RSW12 volume set quite high I am getting very little from it. It does react to explosions in films etc however at that volume I'd be expecting the house to shake rather then the low rumble I am currently getting. Have checked LFE settings on 875 and they are all set to 0db as default so doesn't appear to be a problem there? Not sure if I'm doing anything else wrong or it the Bi-amping is causing a problem?

Having looked at speaker config on the 875 it would appear that the Fronts/Center/Rears are set to full band whilst the RSW is set to 80hz. Could this be causing the Sub to cut out to early to leave the remaining speakers to cover the lower frequencies?

If so, will playing with these setting get me a better setup?

Thanks guys.

 

[Andrew Everard]

Should all be fine on those settings. If you want more low-end clout, try using the receiver's Double Bass setting - see manual page 88, which will feed the low stuff to both the main speakers and the sub.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks Andrew, have checked settings and double bass was already on but I noticed in the level calibration in speaker setup that the sub was set to -15db which once I up this a tad I got a good low frequency rumble.

I'm guessing the auto set up thinks I had quite enough already but it does seem very low to set it at -15db?

Aeis

 

[Andrew Everard]

As I've said many times on these Forums before, it's best to treat the auto-calibration settings as no more than a serving suggestion, and have a tweak to get the sound you want.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks Andrew; going to have a play and get the settings abit more like I want them to be.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi ya mate i was having a listen to the MA RSW12 acouple days ago in Seveonoak and i did ask the guy about what settings to use , He advised me to set it to 100HZ on the Receiver and then change the settings on the Sub to around the 11 O Clock point on the Cross over on Sub. Seems to work really well on my sub , Give it ago, let me know how u get on.

 

[Anonymous]

Andrew Everard:Yes, sub frequency and gain controls to max, and make all the LF settings on the receiver/amp's speaker set-up menu. 80Hz should be fine with those speakers, but you might try a higher crossover point - 100 or 120Hz - and see whether you prefer that. It's a matter of taste.

I'm confused. According to the RSW12 manual if your amp has a dedicated sub-woofer or LFE output then the low pass filter should be set to out. When the sub is set to out the sub's crossover frequency response is reduntant and it is controlled by the amp.

 

[Anonymous]

Just play around with it , As said before around 80 -100 is a good choice . And set the Cross over on the Sub to 11 O Clock , Trust me x

 

[Andrew Everard]

mv:I'm confused. According to the RSW12 manual if your amp has a dedicated
sub-woofer or LFE output then the low pass filter should be set to out.
When the sub is set to out the sub's crossover frequency response is
reduntant and it is controlled by the amp.

Correct - turning the crossover up to maximum has the same effect, and not all subwoofers have a switch to bypass the crossover. If you have one, then use it, as it has the advantage of removing more circuitry from the signal path.

 

[Anonymous]

excellent, thanks for clearing that up.