Setting optimal crossover frequency?

DavidMN

DavidMN

New Member
Hi guys,

I'm wondering if anyone has dealt with using a sub woofer that is of a smaller diameter than a left and right side tower speaker?

My Paradigm PDR-8 v.2 has a 8" woofer which handles 29-150 Hz (internally amplified), whereas my left and right side towers are capable of 32-20,000 Hz (not internally amplified). Any advise on where to set the optimal tone or is my sub worthless for my setup given the range of my left and right towers? I picked up all of the components for 60$ total and I'm trying to get a decent setup on a college student budget. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Current system:
AV Receiver: Sony STR-DE897 - Pushes 110w to each channel
Pioneer Tower: CS-R 590 - 32-20,000 Hz
Pioneer Bookshelf: S-HF31-LR - 55,000-20,000 Hz
Paradigm Sub: PDR-8 v.2 - 29-150 Hz
 
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Others will certainly know better than me. But, my opinion is that depending on the particulars of your towers and needs there could be value in relieving your speakers of the low-end duty. This can sometimes clean up the mid-bass and mids, and increase the articulation of your speakers.

Of course, there are no definitive answers and it all depends on your set up as well as your own ears. Some information will help any of us give you better advice....
  • What are the make and model of the speakers? 2, 3, or 4 ways?
  • What gear are you driving them with?
  • What are your preferred music choices and listening levels?
  • What is the room like? Size and shape? Surfaces?
  • What is your listening style? Are you a critical listener from a dedicated position? Or, do you tend to listen while doing other stuff and move around?
 
I'm finding that using the sub seems to clean the sound from the towers/bookshelf speakers, but I'd be interested in something that could limit sound frequencies to specific components within the system. Probably more of a complex solution than I truly need though. The Pioneer Bookshelf speakers are 2 way, the Pioneer towers are 3 way, and the sub is a single driver. The room is square, carpeted and about 15' by 15' in size. I primarily listen to folk, rock, R&B and listen in one spot for the most part. Thanks again for the help.
 
Well I am certainly no expert?? But the sub will/would take the load of the amp if you set it high enough, assuming it has a variable crossover???

If it does, I'd set the sub in the 35 to 40 hz range so the amp, does not even have to try to produce the lower notes. I don't know if that's right ... but it is what I'd do. And I've not blown up my LX 5's for uh 15 years and don't crap below 80 hz?? I consider a sub as an "Amp and Speaker" saver myself. :)
 
The other thing that subs allow you to do is appropriately place them for bass, where the mains might be best placed for the imaging.

In that case high passing the mains might offer a bass benefit in the main listening position.

If the mains are playing well, then it might not offer any benefit.
 
chip18sw said:
Well I am certainly no expert?? But the sub will/would take the load of the amp if you set it high enough, assuming it has a variable crossover???

If it does, I'd set the sub in the 35 to 40 hz range so the amp, does not even have to try to produce the lower notes. I don't know if that's right ... but it is what I'd do. And I've not blown up my LX 5's for uh 15 years and don't crap below 80 hz?? I consider a sub as an "Amp and Speaker" saver myself. :)
Click to expand...

Unless there is a high pass filter for the main speakers, a powered sub will not offload the main amplifier.

And the lower you set the crossover of the subwoofer (which of course is a low-pass crossover), the less it will offset any low-end weakness in the main speakers.
 
Doesn't look like you need a sub. Why take away frequencies from the mains. It will be all overlap.
 
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