Subwoofer crossover level--help!! (1 Viewer)

[Scott Stephens]

I know there's been alot of discussion on subwoofer setup and calibration lately, but I have a couple of questions I'm a little confused on.

I'm currently running a Paradigm PW-2200 sub (yes, I know I need to upgrade to an SVS...I will as soon as humanly possible!!) I recently moved into a new house and I had the sub calibrated quite well in my other house. The new house, however, isn't being as cooperative.

Anyway, in Ed's excellent explanation of sub calibration, there's one point I'm confused on (and have always been confused on). What do I set the crossover on the back of the sub to? Ed says "crossover switch to off." I'm not sure I can do this, other than turning the crossover as high as it can go. Is this correct? And if so, why wouldn't you set the crossover to the same level that the receiver's crossover is set to?

One last question...the phase control. I've never really understood the best way to set the phase control. Anybody got any suggestions?

 

[Brian L]

Setiing the crossover on the sub as high as it goes takes it out of play, which you want to do if crossing over in the receiver or pre/pro.

Simply put, to set phase its best to play a test tone that is either at the crossover, or covers it. As you play the tone, set the switch to produce the loudest reading as measured with an SPL meter.

BGL

 

[John Garcia]

Not all subs can disable their built in x-over, in those cases, as Brian said, you set it to it's highest point because the receiver is already doing this job.

 

[Scott Stephens]

ok, now the crossover issue is cleared up. but now i'm confused about what the volume level on the sub should be set to before beginning calibration. anybody?

 

[Brian L]

For the most part its irrelevant.

I would set it to 1/2 way (easy to remember that), and run the calibration tones. Assuming you do not have to set the sub trim on your receiver either all the way down or all the way up (to get the sub level right), you should be fine.

If you do have to max or min out the trim, then raise of lower the sub amp knob accordingly.

BGL

 

[Scott Stephens]

thanks brian...

 

[Brian L]

Scott,

There are some posts here from some pretty knowledgable folks (Edward JM in particular) that suggest keeping the sub level trim on the low side to avoid pre-amp distortion.

I have never experienced that myself, and it may well vary from receiver to receiver, but all things being equal, it would not hurt to try to keep the sub trim around midrange or lower.

Now that I think about it, the receiver reviews in S&V do measure for this and report on it in the spec/measurement table.

BGL