RTi A1 and Csi A4 + base crossover

JJK1

Hi guys and gals.
I have just finished upgrading my speakers ?
I have the Polks mentioned in the subject + some new small PSB surrounds and rear speakers.
The Polks sound great compared to what I had previously.
I have 8? sub that I still plan to replace at some point. The one I have sounds pretty good but due to placement it?s difficult to adjust ? It only has the single LFE input so I can?t run the mains through it.
I have an older Onkyo TXSR603 (also a candidate for replacement) and the ?auto setup? put the crossover at 150hz ?
Does that sound high? ? Particularly considering the fact that I can?t really be changing the volume on the sub, as it?s behind the entertainment center in a corner. The wife wants it hidden so that?s where it has to stay. It has a 150w amp and I have it turned up about 75% right now and it sounds good with music cranked as high as I would ever listen.
I would like the mains and center to handle as much base as possible if that makes sense (RtiA1 x2 +CsiA4) and assuming they can handle it.
Is 150hz crossover normal for these Polks or is it too high?
Last question (non-polk, sorry) ? do they still make receivers that can power a ?passive? sub on their own so I could control the sub volume from the receiver?
Thanks!
JJK

mdaudioguy

You could certainly adjust the crossover lower. They are small bookshelves, but they are capable of handling lower than that. Try 80 to 100, and let your ears decide.

Fyi, there are powered subs that have speaker level inputs, but I'd spend more time playing with the settings on your receiver first. A more capable sub down the road would probably be a nice upgrade.

JJK1

Thanks for the reply.
I did update my sub today and I've been messing with it for a few hours. I picked up the PSW111. I can tell you it sounds way cleaner than my old sub. I've been messing with the volume all morning. Is it safe to assume that I have it set correctly for my room if the sub volume knob is set to a level where the Onkyo automatic setup program wants the dB for the sub at 0 (as opposed to + or - some decibel number) ?
I don't have any meters or other software to run against it. It seems really nice for music at this level.
Going forward, is it prober to adjust the sub volume via the receiver even though the receiver is not powering the sub? (i can't be moving the TV all the time to get to the sub) will I lose any audio quality doing it this way?
I'm new to the base management stuff. Thanks!
JKK

mdaudioguy

JJK1 wrote: »

Is it safe to assume that I have it set correctly for my room if the sub volume knob is set to a level where the Onkyo automatic setup program wants the dB for the sub at 0 (as opposed to + or - some decibel number) ?

That's the ideal approach, IMO. Out of curiosity, where did that put you on the sub's gain control?

JJK1 wrote: »

I don't have any meters or other software to run against it. It seems really nice for music at this level.

SPL meters are great, but your ears are what really counts!

JJK1 wrote: »

Going forward, is it prober to adjust the sub volume via the receiver even though the receiver is not powering the sub? (i can't be moving the TV all the time to get to the sub) will I lose any audio quality doing it this way?

If you need to turn it up or down a few notches, and it's easier to go into the receiver's menu, then by all means, go ahead and do that. Sounds like you're well on your way to some HT enjoyment!

JJK1

Thanks again!
I put the gain at about 60% to get = 0dB from the Onkyo test.
at 50% the Onkyo wanted +6db
at 75% the onkyo wanthed -4 to -6dB
seems very sensitive..
this sub seems a good match for these RTiA1s - I can't tell it's a sub like I could with the old Onkyo swk-240 sub. Sounds like the base is just there.

BTW - The fronts are at 0db
Center +1dB (it's up high)
JJK