Help with settings please PSW404

JRLowey

I am confused on how to set-up/wire the PSW404 with the current speakers I have. At present I have a rca cable from the amp to the filtered input on the sub (not sure if this is correct).
I also read of running speaker wire from the amp to the sub, then onto the front speakers.

I would also like to know what the 0 - 180 phase switch on the sub does, and where i should have it set.

I don't understand what the low pass (hz) dial does, and where it should be set.

There is a switch the has either 80hz or full range as the choices (located between the speaker terminals on the sub)... not sure what that should be set to either.

Lastly, the settings in my receiver are as follows...

FRONT: Large
CENTER: Large
SURR: small
SW: yes
XOVER: 80Hz

Are these set where they should be with the speakers I have?

As you most likely can tell, this stuff is new to me. Hope I made sense.

quadzilla

You can get the manual here: http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/products/recent/psw404/

Since your amp does bass management, run the cable to the LFE input. Then you only need to worry about setting your crossover settings on the amp and let that do all the work.

As far as the phase switch, it's to put the sub in phase with your other speakers. Normally you should have it at zero if the sub is at the front of the room, and 180 if you put it at the back facing the other speakers. That way, the cones in your main speakers and the sub are all moving in the same direction.

You probably also want to set all speakers to small if you want all the bass to go to the sub, but the monitor 70s can handle the bass too.

I don't really recommend running speaker wire to the sub then to the speakers unless you're only using this for 2 channel. From your set up, it doesn't seem like you are.

JRLowey

Thanks for the reply quad!

One more question if I may,

If all are set to SMALL, what effect will this have when playing music through the Stereo setting? Will the fronts handle all the bass, or will it be both the fronts and the sub?

You were right in that fact that this system is used mostly for HT, probably 90% vs. 10% for listening to music.

quadzilla

If you calibrate the sub level so it blends in with the fronts, it should sound fine. The other option is if your receiver has a "direct" or "analog" or "bypass" mode (might be called an of those), then you can bypass the crossover for music, which also means that unless you're listening to music in surround, the bass will all go to the fronts. If you are listening in surround, then only the actual LFE track will go to the sub. This is the way I prefer music through my HT system.