I have a 2.1 system featuring a sony str-dh590 receiver, sony ss-u431av front speakers, and a klipsch r-120sw subwoofer. The only problem I have is the sound from the sub sticking out a bit, especially in regards to the kick (bass drum). How much the sub sticks out depends on the song, specifically how the bass from the kick is mixed. I figured it might just be the difference in power output between the front speakers and sub. I already tried moving the sub around and switching the phase between 0 and 180, neither of which seemed to help much. Also the sub volume seems fine where it is, any less will weaken the sound.
subwoofer blending
- Thread starter zmoss48
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
the skipper
Professional Curmudgeon
You need to kerfutz with the crossover and level controls until it blends. Often, people set the crossover too high. It should be set to only take over where your mains peter out.
When it's properly blended, you should only notice the sub is when you turn it off and the bottom end just quietly disappears.
When it's properly blended, you should only notice the sub is when you turn it off and the bottom end just quietly disappears.
JoeESP9
ESL's & tubes since 83
A good place to start with a subwoofer is to set the crossover point at the -3dB point of your mains. To set the level turn the sub up until you can just barely hear it. Then turn it down a "touch".
If you can tell there is a subwoofer being used it's too loud or the crossover point is too high. Most of the time it's both.
The only time you should be able to tell there is a subwoofer is when you turn it off. The loss of low frequencies is immediately audible.
If you can tell there is a subwoofer being used it's too loud or the crossover point is too high. Most of the time it's both.
The only time you should be able to tell there is a subwoofer is when you turn it off. The loss of low frequencies is immediately audible.
I read somewhere that the crossover should be set at 10 hz above the main's lowest effective frequency. For the mains I have, that's probably about 50 hz, so I set the crossover at 60 hz.
Edit: I just tested the front speakers and they seem to go down to 40 hz quite well
the skipper
Professional Curmudgeon
so, how's that working out for ya?
wasclywabbit
When the going gets wierd, the wierd turn pro.
You might want to consider isolating from the floor, if you haven't already. I use an Aurelex SubDude with mine. It smoothed out the response dramatically. If it sounds too good to be true, it isn't.
And yet, since I do extensive "kerfutzing" with different values of sub output, high and low pass crossover settings and slight use of parametric EQ to tame peaks, I've found that the most linear measured bass response across the Schroeder frequencies in the family room occurs when I cross the mains higher.
I'm convinced its a matter of dealing with the room modes which are certainly present at regular intervals. The Acoustat 1+1s in the HT system actually have response down to about 35 hz or so, but I end up high passing them at 90 hz - which may sound counterintuitive. The two subs placed at different parts of the room are low passed at 60 hz. Go figure!
I'll try a lower crossover setting, I just want to avoid any sonic holes in the bass.
totem
Addicted Member
My thoughts are start with the room meaning treatments including sitting positions, then DSP to tame whatever anomalies are left.
Next try to find what crossover frequency integrates and sounds best [to you] by experimentation.
The goal is to take the room and its limitations out of the equation, using of some level of DSP will take you further
than without.
Next try to find what crossover frequency integrates and sounds best [to you] by experimentation.
The goal is to take the room and its limitations out of the equation, using of some level of DSP will take you further
than without.
Last edited:
WaynerN
Addicted Member
One of the reasons I bought an REL sub is that it gets its signal from the amplifier's speaker outputs. The input impedance of the REL is very high and the amplifier feeding it hardly knows its there. Because of this configuration, and with a system designed around X.1 bass management, the front speakers are left alone to run full bandwidth. There is no XO subtraction to them by the internal adjustments of the X.1 bass management. This way allows the fronts to run full and the sub to take care of where the fronts usually can't go, which is usually the below 35hz or so. The sub becomes an addition to rather then a replacement of. Because the XO of the sub can now be extremely low, its directivity diminishes because at those low frequencies, bass becomes omin-directional.
I might also suggest that if your sub is that noticeable, its output is way too loud, It is a one octave wonder, and its almost a one note wonder since at those lowest frequencies, detecting note differences is next to impossible for many people.
I might also suggest that if your sub is that noticeable, its output is way too loud, It is a one octave wonder, and its almost a one note wonder since at those lowest frequencies, detecting note differences is next to impossible for many people.
Which is a good thing as long as you don't add "sonic bumps" to the bass...
I hear way too many subwoofer systems with "sonic mountains" in the bass ..
jcg0324
New Member
I have a Sony STR-HD590 and plan on hooking up a new SVS SB2000 Pro subwoofer. The Sony documentation says very little about the "subwoofer out" connectors in the back of the unit. This is the 1st time hooking up a powered subwoofer. Should I just assume the sub out connector has a low pass filter?
charles 1973
Super Member
That's a pretty good sub for your Sony AVR. The AVR should have an adjustable x- over, read the manual or go through the units menu to find it. Simply connect the sub output on the AVR to the line level ( rca jacks) input on the sub.
Since SVS makes no mention of a high pass filter, It's unlikely to have one. Few subs do actually. But since you won't be using the speaker connection anyway it doesn't matter.
Pyrrho
Super Member
Do you mean the Sony STR-DH950? The manual is located here:
You should use the automatic setup. After that is done, check the crossover and set it manually if it seems very wrong. For speakers that are rated to go below 80 Hz, very often, 80 Hz is a good crossover frequency regardless of what is automatically selected.
jcg0324
New Member
Thanks for everyone's input. The AVR I have is the Sony STR-DH590. I did find a speaker setup menu to select either large or small speakers for the front. (I have only front). In this case I select "small" where the only option is a crossover frequency of 120 Hz. (If you select "large" there is no frequency displayed.) I will leave it right there and adjust the crossover control on the subwoofer to 80 Hz. After a few days of listening it may need some tweaking but maybe not.
Thanks again.
Thanks again.
Pyrrho
Super Member
With using the crossover in the receiver, you should set the subwoofer to its highest frequency setting. It is unfortunate that your receiver only has 120 Hz and not other options. With such a high crossover point, you probably want the subwoofer up front, probably in between the main speakers.
I think you chose the right setting on the receiver; if you choose "large," the receiver will send the full range of frequencies to the main speakers, but the deep bass is better handled by the subwoofer (which is why one gets a subwoofer; if the main speakers could do the really deep bass themselves, there is no point to a subwoofer).
jcg0324
New Member
My fault. After maneuvering the remote control I have found that the crossover frequency is adjustable. I changed it to 80 Hz. in compliance with THX. I kept my old subwoofer which is a Sonance 10" and added a new SVS 12". The Sony STR-DH590 has 2 sub outputs. With the 2 Elac bookshelf speakers and using 8 foot speaker setting the sound is incredible. When using the virtual "front surround" setting it's like a live performance. Very satisfied.