What Crossover Cutoff is your subwoofer set to: 40;50;60;80...? and why? (1 Viewer)

[Arthur S]

Many people don't want to be able to locate their sub in the room because of leakage of higher frequency material. 80Hz is usually considered the max before you can locate the sub in the room. Others find 80Hz even too high.

Also, the crossovers built in to subwoofers often do not have a steep slope. In other words, if set for 80Hz, frequencies as high as 160Hz still bleed through at a reduced level. It is too bad that most sub testers do not measure the crossover slope, this is one area that can make a real audible difference.

Many disable the sub crossover and rely on the crossover built into their receiver. Unfortunately, most older receivers and most low price receivers have crossovers in the 100Hz to 120Hz range. My Kenwood VR 6070, a very serviceable unit, crosses over at 100Hz to the best of my knowledge. I prefer to have the subs crossover set as low as possible.

How do you have your subs crossover set?

Artie

 

[Phil A]

Depends on your system, crossover used and room. If optimized for music, it may be a different answer. When one is playing 2-channel music, for example, bass frequencies sum. So if you mains drop off at say 40 HZ, you'd want to sub to get crossed over below that in most cases, otherwise you'll produce a bass bump around that frequency. I have 4 Rels in the main system (a Sunfire, Jr. in the bedroom one and a Phase Technology in the basement one). Rels have both a high (speaker level) and low level connections, and a separate selectable crossover and volume control for the high level connections. The sub for the rears is just connected via the high level connection. For the fronts, I use both connections. For movies (in the main system), I define the center and rears and small and cross over in the processor at 35HZ. For multi-channel music, I define all the spakers as full range and the front subs crossovers are set at only 22HZ as I have full range speakers. I use an RTA, along with room treatments in make sure the settings are appropriate. In lieu of having an RTA, an SPL meter along with a test disc such as http://www.delosmus.com/cgi/cart/ite...26381104086012 or downloaded test tones http://mdf1.tripod.com/test-tones.html

would be highly recommended.

 

[joseFMJ]

Most AVR sub crossover slope is set at 24db, steep enough to minimize sounds at the crossover point one octave up. The most common point is 80Hz. Why use the built in crossover in your sub which slope can be 12db per octave? I use bookshelf speakers which goes down to 60Hz, I set my crossover point to 80Hz.

 

[ScottCHI]

he stated that his avr has a fixed 100Hz crossover, which he finds unacceptable

i run the standard 80Hz xover with small speakers all the way around

 

[Lewis Besze]

My subs are passive,they don't have any xovers,so I rely on my Pre/pro which has variable settings but it is set for 80hz all around.Personally I wouldn't use the lowpass filters on active subs,unless I have "fullrange" speakers nad run them "large",but only for music. For HT I would still highpass the mains to protect it's woofers at high volumes.
Santa didn't bring you a new receiver, Artie?

 

[Arthur S]

Lewis, you sly fox. How did you know that Saint Nick did not leave me a new receiver. Maybe I wasn't a good boy?

As variable crossovers trickle down to lower price receivers, this issue will go away. For now, active subs with built in crossovers are important to quite a few of us.

Artie

 

[Scott_N]

I have my REL Strata III set at 27hz in my 2-channel system. My HT speakers have built in subs.

 

[Kenneth Harden]

Heh - funny you should bring this up (well, not really, it is a good question )

This is the reason I want to get a new receiver.

My Sony STR-DE675 gives me one option for the speakers for a high-pass:

120 Hz. or full range

This sucks hard. When I get my precious Denon 3805, I can set the speakers seperatly. I am going to have as big of mains as I can (music!) and I can have those at 40 Hz. or so, and the center and surrounds can be set at 80 Hz. It is so nice.

Anyway, the problem with this is at 120 Hz., a subwoofer turns into a b0se bass module and you 'hear' it. Unacceptable. If I run the system full range, especially for music (my current speakers), they are getting too much bass. My mains are JBL SVA1500's and they don't like bass (they are AWESOME with midbass).

 

[Arthur S]

Kenneth

I also am using full range JBLs. They are an older model, L60T, but are more than flat down to 32Hz. That's why a 40Hz crossover either on the sub or on the receiver is important to me. I also have had my eye on the Denon 3805. Costco has it for $1,000. Don't know if they are factory authorized but I wouldn't be surprised. Etronics has it for about $940 but I seriously doubt they are factory authorized.

Artie

 

[John Garcia]

Costco is not an authorized Denon dealer.

3805 bstock for $850 from an authorized dealer:

http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htfo...highlight=3805

 

[Arthur S]

Thanks John

Good to know who is selling Denon B stock.

Costco doesen't have the 3805 right now. Even though they are not an authorized dealer, Costco has a great reputation for allowing customer returns way down the line. I would not hesitate to buy one from Costco.

Artie