Subwoofer Settings

racer4551

Wondering if anyone can set me straight here. I have a paradigm pw2200 powered sub.I am confused by how to set controls on rear of sub. First setting is sub level ,which is self explanitory,second control is sub cutoff freq. control 50hrtz to 150hrtz, third control is sub phase 0 to 180, right and left sub high pass output rca jacks, right and left low level input rca jacks. I currently have the sub output(mono) from av receiver going to audio control rialto eq then to low level inputs at sub. My question is on what to set sub cutoff freq. control to?Also what are the sub high pass rca jacks for?According to diagram on rear of unit they want you to use front preouts to sub then high pass outputs to main amp.Anyone ever connect a sub like this? p.s my current receiver does not have sub freq. setting like my denon 2802 did(80,100,120).Thanks to recent lightning storm that took out my monster power ref. center,denon 2802 receiver, and adcom gfa7000 amp. I have sent units out for estimates but was told it would be weeks before i would hear anything so i purchased a marantz sr5300 to tide me over till things are corrected by monster.

John K.

Your 5300 has a fixed 100hz crossover filter to the sub and speakers(compared to the variable settings on the 2802). Since the 5300 takes care of all the bass management needed(although 80hz is generally considered a bit better with speakers that have strong 80hz output)the internal crossover in the 2200 is unnecessary. When a sub doesn't have a switch or input to bypass its internal crossover it should be turned all the way up(e.g. 150hz)to get it as far out of the way as possible. You wouldn't have any use for the line level high pass outputs on the sub, but it's an alternative way to arrange bass management. If a separate preamp and amp(or a receiver with pre-outs and separate amp-ins)is used the preamp can feed the sub a full-range signal which the internal sub crossover would be set to low-pass. It would then feed the full- range signal to the high- pass outputs, where(above about 80hz on the 2200)it would then go to the amp to drive the speakers.

racer4551

Thanks for info john, if i read your post right all i need to do is turn sub cutoff freq. control all the way up to 150 hrtz. right? Its confusing that the control is labled sub cutooff freq. normally you would think it applies to high pass speaker wiring then it would control cutoff to speaker out.

John K.

Right. It theoretically would cut off(actually roll off) the sub frequency response above the marked setting(which are notoriously inaccurate on sub crossovers).