New guy a couple of questions...

g3teg01

Hello im new here to the forums and i just recently started getting a little more serious into surround sound systems. I have always purchased and was fairly happy with HTIB systems until my neighbor gave me a Polk CSi3. when i heard the clarity and how much better it sounded i was instantly hooked so i went and bought mostly all new stuff some from local classifieds and i ended up with R50's for the fronts CSi3 for the center R15's for surrounds a a PSW10 for the sub. it is all being powered by a Sony STR-DH510 i know its not the greatest but i was on a budget. So now i have a couple of questions i was reading on here to set my LPF on the sub all the way up to create an LFE and i was wondering if i did that if i should turn off the sub LPF on the reciever or just leave it on ? also on the sub there is an auto off feature which im assuming works but im not sure since the little green light is on at all times so how do i know if its working or not ? also it makes a slight hum not really noticeable unless im directly in front of the sub and goes away if i turn the sub to off so is this normal ? and last question what is the phase switch on the sub ? i have set all my speakers to small and set the x overs to 80hz just like tha manual said. so if anybody out there can answer these questions for me i would really appreciate it. thanks.

djperez81

welcome to club polk.

I would leave you LPF on on your receiver set to 80hz, as far as the auto on off switch the sub should shut itself off if it doesnt receive a signal for a certain period of time. The hum you hearing sounds like a ground issue your having in your home. Good luck and enjoy.

Tour2ma

"Couple-of-questions" would make a great screen name...

Welcome g3,
Always nice to see that a noob that has gotten his read on before asking quesions.

djp has you pretty well set. I'd only add…

Sub Setting: You did not exactly state how you wired your mains. I’ll assume the same as djp (AVR direct to mains and AVR LFE-out to sub’s LFE input). With this set-up your sub’s crossover is bypassed, so the sub’s x-over’s dial setting does not matter.

AVR LFE Setting: 80 Hz is a great starting point. Depending on your listening habits (how loud) and space (how big) going up or down from 80 may make best use of your amplification. Lowering the LFE setting shifts load to your AVR (smaller room or lower volumes; may let the sub dig a little deeper); raising setting shifts load to your sub (bigger room or louder levels). With your 50’s you can go as low as 60. I’d go no higher than 100 (110 tops). Play with it…. More than just load shifting, you may discover a sweet spot where it just sounds better….

Hum: Ground loops can be tough to ferret out; search "ground loop".

Sub Polarity: Pick a music track with heavy, regularly pulsing bass, and see if your R50s’ and sub’s cones all move in and out in sync (which you want them to do). Pause the music, reverse your sub's polarity and repeat. Leave the switch in the position where they match.

Enjoy...