Receiver & Speaker settings...HELP! (1 Viewer)

[Zach]

I originally posted this in the "Speakers" section, but realize that was probably a mistake...sorry!

I have a Sony STR-V444ES receiver driving my HT and the JBL SCS300.7 speaker system on its way (Merry Christmas to me!) ...but here's my dilemma.

I haven't touched my current receiver/speaker set-up since the inital installation...about 5 years ago! I don't know what to do! :frowning:

Considering their specs (small speaker set & Sony ES receiver), what baseline settings do you recommend? Speaker = large? small? Crossover settings on receiver/sub? Etc? I feel really lost!

Any input is appreciated...and desperately needed!

Thanks!
Zach

 

[Mark C.]

Almost always, the speakers should be set as small if you have a sub. Crossover is a matter of taste. I'm not sure if your Sony has a variable crossover, but the 80Hz setting is always a good place to start. Adjust to your taste from there if you want. If you have a sub, make sure you have the crossover turned off or turned to its highest setting to get it out of the crossover equation. Let the receiver do the crossover work. Make sure you have a calibration DVD (like Avia or Video Essentials) and an SPL meter to accurately set each speaker's output. Then you'll be ready to rock!

 

[Matt K P]

im not sure what you crossover settings are, but with those teeny tiny JBL mains then you should probably set the CO to 100 or 120 depending on what your choices are, since the sc satellites roll-off 6db at 100 hz.

 

[Steve Schaffer]

I had a 333ES Sony and it had variable crossover setting available, so the 444ES almost certainly has it. I'd definitely set all speakers to small.

I found the specs for that speaker set here:

http://www.jbl.com/home/products/pro...SCS&sCatId=HCS

This is a sub-sat system with the mains, center, and surrounds only rated down to 100hz, so you may want to set crossover at 120.

 

[Zach]

Thanks for all the input!

Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be a consensus. Should I start @ 120 crossover and go down to 80 from there? What should I be listening for? When will I know I've got it "right"? Will there be an "ah-ha!" moment?

The sub does not have a crossover setting but it does have a "volume" knob. Is that what I'll be modifying when I'm calibrating my setup?

I've traded in my original Energy Take 5 set for this JBL get-up and quite honestly, I'm impressed with the sound quality for the $. Anybody interested in a small, respectable package should certainly audition this set! It retails for $700 but can be had for less than $400 delivered from J&R in NYC. (just an FYI)

Z

 

[Mark C.]

Since you're getting a sub-sat system, 100 or 120HZ is probably the best crossover. Since the sub doesn't have a crossover built into it, you can simply concentrate on its volume in relation to the other speakers.

 

[MonicaT]

I just purchased the same JBL SCS300 and a Pioneer 1014. I used MCACC to set it up, but I think the volume is not loud at all. I played LOTR at -30 and it was just a normal volume, I mean you could still carry a conversation. Since both speakers and receiver are new (and I'm a newbie to HT), I wonder if there is a problem with any of them? I'd suspect may be the receiver, because when I used MCACC the sound from the speakers came out fairly loud. Zach, after you did the manual settings did you achieve a good quality sound? Thank you.

 

[Charlie Campisi]

Monica-

I don't own the Pioneer, but I think this is what is happening. When you calibrate (or in the case of the 1014, when it calibrates itself) it is done at "reference level" usually like 75 dbs or so. Very loud. Most people do not watch movies at this level. You shouldn't base your opinions on whether the sound is correct based on how loud it plays at a certain volume and compare it to the volume of sound during calibration. I think you may just need to turn up the volume knob a little when watching movies.

 

[Scott Lawrence]

Monica, as Charlie says, the MCACC runs at a loud volume, around 75dB. Watching most sources on the 1014 at -30 isn't particularly loud in my 1014-based system either. Most stuff I listen to around the -25 to -20 level, but it really varies from movie to movie and cd to cd. Some things I have to crank up close to -10 or beyond.