Monitor 70s - large or small with sub?

starless

I'm using monitor 70s as fronts with an F12 subwoofer in a 3.1 configuration. After running automatic configuration on my receiver, it set the 70s to "large". However, some people suggest that the sub should handle all the bass and I should manually set the fronts to "small". This seems to be a bit of a waste of the 70s! From my limited listening tests so far, I don't hear a big difference between having the 70s as large or small. What do the polk experts here suggest? The system is used for a mix of both stereo audio and HT.

Thanks.

kevhed72

I had my fronts set to small for awhile, then tried switching them to large, and actually liked it a bit better & left them on large ever since.

Do some more comparisons and see what sounds better to you...

quadzilla

Yeah, I run large on my front as well for HT. Moves more air that way.

starless

quadzilla wrote: »

Yeah, I run large on my front as well for HT. Moves more air that way.

So, it sounds like you're using both the 70s and the sub for bass. With the 70s set to "large", my receiver by default only uses the sub for LFE.

Issa

starless wrote: »

So, it sounds like you're using both the 70s and the sub for bass. With the 70s set to "large", my receiver by default only uses the sub for LFE.

Most receivers will allow having the low frequencies to play thru Large and the subwoofer continuously. Check for a setting under the LFE mode to something like 'LFE+Main' or Subwoofer 'Plus'. If Speakers=Small or the Sub=No then the setting might be grayed out.

whitefish01

My Onkyo has "Double Bass" which I like. I have my monitor 70's set to large.

On3s&Z3r0s

+1 for Large for the M70's with subwoofer set to "Plus" or whatever your receiver's equivalent is! Then you can play with the subwoofer crossover point to get the distribution of low bass the way you like it (usually, you'd set it pretty low like maybe 60Hz then).

markwoll

My Yamaha YAPO set the M70 to large, which cut out the sub.
I set them to small which kicked the sub on, didn't like the sound too much.
Then I found their version of 'Double Bass'.
I like the sound better, but I am working on the correct level and crossover point for the sub.
Love the M70's.

mark.

quadzilla

The correct xover point will depend entirely on your set up, your room, and your tastes.

slammin86

I switch mine back and forth a lot. Don't know what I like better.

djperez81

whitefish01 wrote: »

My Onkyo has "Double Bass" which I like. I have my monitor 70's set to large.

I agree whitefish i like the double bass feature on my onkyo i have my 11t's set to large and double bass on and its sounds great for HT and even better when its in 2ch since i recently added a 2ch amp for my front L/R.

over50

I tried setting my M70 to full yesterday and i couldnt hear the subwoofer.

pearsall001

Here's a great article on the subject: http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/34579/128214.html

NewHTguy

I always enjoyed running my sub at line level. I used a Y cable from each pre-out, one line went to my amp and the other went to my sub. That way your fronts and Sub get the full signal. Some subs will allow you to do this with speaker wire. But this might be a bad idea if your sub does not have its own Xover.

packetjones

It depends on what power amp u have and the quality of your sub really.

If you have say the 70's and a psw10 then plus/large would probably be the best option. But if say you have a svs ultra or epic then you would probably want to set the 70's to small. Same with amp power. If you are using an avr then there is limited power and may not pun the 70's very well. Whereas a separate amp with good power could make the 70's hit pretty hard bass wise.

JimAckley

Is that the BIC America F12?

I would run your sub at or near its lowest crossover point, and only make it add the lowest bass to your M70s. Like everyone else mentioned, you'll need to set your receiver "double bass", "Plus" or whatever mode it is that will output the bass to not only your LFE output but M70s as well.