NSP1 + No Sub (1 Viewer)

[Steve_Tk]

I know these speakers do not put out any bass, they were not designed too. But if I do not have a sub in my apartment, do I set them to large or will that cause them to break with all the low frequency signals being sent to them?

Also, if I did get a sub, I don't want something that will be extremely loud, so would a PB-10 provide clean bass at moderate levels (sometimes high) of listening in a small room (10x12)?

Thanks

 

[Phil Iturralde]

...this speaker is very easy to match up with practically any subwoofer.

He wrote that because many speakers w/3" & some 4" woofers don't have usable output below 110 Hz, ... contrast that the JBL NSP1's usable out extends down to 89 Hz - 3 dB.
Phil

 

[Steve_Tk]

Thank you very much Phil.

 

[John Garcia]

I listened to the N24s with and without a sub this week, and I have to say that a sub is a must with them for realism. Yes, set them to large, though at louder listening levels and with bass heavy material, they will likely distort - just don't crank them to that point.

 

[Tim_Speicher]

Great thread...

I just recently got a the NSP-1 set from my local B.B. Seeing as I am new to the whole H.T. experience, I set them to large as was recommended in my receiver manual. I'm also in a small apartment and am doing w/o the sub for the time being. Thanks for the info folks.

 

[Steve_Tk]

Since the speakers go down to 75 Hz I'd imagine I should set the crossover frequency on the reciever higher than that? right? Or I could just have no idea what I'm talking about and you all are having a nice laugh. This is assuming I'm doing without a sub right now.

Which way can you set them up so at high volumes so they will not distort. I've used TV speakers for a lot of years now, at high volumes they don't distort and they don't have a sub, how can I do this with the N24's till I get a sub?

 

[Phil Iturralde]

Which way can you set them up so at high volumes so they will not distort.

Get a Radio Shack SPL Analog Meter, and REFERENCE Calibrate* everything
1) 75 dB - AV Receiver internal Test Tones
2) 75 dB - Video Essentials DVD
3) 85 dB - AVIA &/or Sound&Vision HT Tune-up DVD
Once your REF Calibrated, turn-up the JBLs until it is above AVG loud. Whatever you do, don't go beyond the REF Calibration Mark. The JBL NSP1 altogether should get pretty loud with ample low frequency without a sub, so you may not have to worry about distorting them.
*Read my REF Calibration process using Video Essentials in my webpage Calibration Techniques.
As a caution, listen to the sound carefully when you turn up the volume. Generally, the quality of the sound will distort with too much volume, so make sure you don't overdrive them with your AV Receiver. Once you hear any distortion, turn it down. Without a sub, your AV Receiver will work harder to increase the lower frequency bass notes in your CD Music & DVDs so look for an honestly** 70w x5 min rated AV Receiver. (if you're not planning to get a sub for six months, get 80w x5 min.)
**See my webpage Is 100w x 5 really 100w x 5?
Once you get your powered-sub, you must REFERENCE Calibrate the entire HT Setup again.
**NOTE: Because my website is 'free', hosted by GeoCities, if too many HT enthusiasts visit, GeoCities will shut it down for an hour or so because it exceeded the specified 'freebie' Data Transfer Rate. Sorry about that, just bookmark it and visit my site an hour later or when everyone has gone to bed!
Phil