Crossover over at 100hz. Is this too high? (1 Viewer)

[Kevin. W]

I have a HT made up of:

Paradigm Mini Monitors:

On Axis (0°) ±2dB from 57Hz - 20kHz

Off Axis (30°) ±2dB from 57Hz - 18kHz

Paradigm CC-350:

On Axis ±2dB from 70Hz to 20kHz

Off Axis ±2dB from 70Hz to 18kHz

Paradigm PS-1000:

24Hz (DIN)*

My Marantz AV560U Pre/Pro crossover is 100hz and was wondering if this was too high. I was looking at getting a Paradigm X-30 to get the crossover down to 80 or 60hz. Good or bad idea?

Kevin

 

[ColinM]

My HK is fixed at 100, and I wish it were lower, say 80-ish. But I have no problem with the 100 as far as localization, really. Maybe just a bit.

I'd like to hear the difference sometime.

- C

 

[Steve_Ma]

Short Answer: I think you're fine.
If you're interested in my soap-box....err, I mean long answer. Feel free to read on:
IMHO, the 80 vs 100 crossover debate/issue is overstated.
(He says taking off his glasses, resting the beer on the bar, and preparing for the onslaught).
I spent the last month or so experimenting with various connection methods, x-overs and settings with my Marantz/B&W setup to get around my AVRs fixed 100hz x-over. My mains are pretty clean down to about 47/48hz and I wanted to try to tweak more out of them for music. I took measurements and listened at 60/70/80/and 90hz x-overs. After all was said and done, I ended up back at the 100hz x-over and LFE out connection because it gave me the flattest in room response. Truth be told, I had a difficult time audibly noticing a difference between a 60 and 100hz x-over, much less an 80/100 x-over. I could measure the difference and also hear some minor differences, but they were just that. Minor. I don't think anyone other than myself might have noticed the difference and I was really looking for it.
Now, I'm sure much of this has to do with my room response. It's also possible that I have an unsophisticated ear, and this may account for my conclusions as well. On thing is certain. I DO NOT stress over my x-over being fixed at 100hz any longer. FWIW, I found this to be a very valuable experiment and it taught me alot about x-overs, my room response and bass mgt in general.
--Steve

 

[Brian Fellmeth]

Much of what Steve has said is heresy, but I've made similar experiments having an adjustable crossover in my receiver and I have to agree.

 

[ling_w]

It all depends on how the sub integrates with your speakers.

You could try it in bass augmentation mode (main large, no sub. Sub connected with main out via Y-connector) and set the sub's crossover to wherever your mains roll off. You want to compare the two on source that is not deafening loud.

I have maggies and would never cross anywhere close to 100hz. I currently have the crossover set at 50hz, and that is many other maggie owners, too high.

 

[John_Bilbrey]

I noticed on my PB12 that if the xover was set at 100hz on the receiver that the sub sounded a little too boomy. I think that this was because I could hear male voices coming through on the sub. I switched it to 80 hz and this solved the problem.

 

[KeithR]

Agreed. If you have a bad sub, it will sound like crap. Consider a REL if you want any musicality/integration

 

[John Garcia]

I have a Marantz SR6200 with the 100Hz x-over with Mini Monitors. While I wouldn't mind it a tad lower, I have no real issues with it.