SETUP: VSX-1021-K + Series II Monitor 60/30/CS2 + PSW505

jOPl0hEtcM

The last set of speakers I bought was a Yamaha YST-MS50 in 1999/2000. As the current setup is quite a step above the previous set of speakers, I would like to know how to properly set them up with this receiver (all equipments listed below). I will be using these primarily for watching movies & listening to music (& the occasional gaming).
*Other than connecting the speakers to the receiver & it to the computer, nothing specific to crossover

1. What speaker settings/options do I need to tweak on the receiver?
2. What crossover freq should I set in the receiver, as each type of speaker & sub have different frequency range?
3. Sub-woofer is currently set (out of the box) at 80Hz/90Hz, should I leave it as is or turn it up to 160Hz/180Hz?
4. How do I get the PSW505 to produce clean & tight 'THUUUUDD' (like my DT-770 PRO headphones, you just don't feel the 'THUUUUDD')?
*so far the little test that I did, this sub sounds more like someone banging on the other side of a 2-3 feet thick wooden door (no 'THUUUUDD').
*or maybe I'm just missing the proper audio source; anyone recommend specific audio to test the sub (maybe the speakers too)?
5. How do I get the on board sound driver/card in the computer to simply pass on the audio track without frequency/bit depth conversion?
*Computer has Realtek ALC889A codec on motherboard, audio output settings for this device shows 44.1-192kHz & 16/24bit.
6. Anyway to improve how stereo music sound when played back on all speakers (Advanced Surround->Expanded Stereo)?
*Playing movie with AC-3 5.1 track sounded really great, but the same music from CD (stereo FLAC) in Expanded Stereo mode just fills the room with sound (actually sounds convoluted & confusing, not as good as the 5.1 AC-3 source).

Front L/R : Monitor 60 SeriesII (20-200W / 38Hz-25kHz / 90db)
Center : CS2 Series II (20-175W / 50Hz-25kHz / 90db)
Back L/R : Monitor 30 Series II (20-100W / 55Hz-25kHz / 89db)
Sub-woofer : PSW Series PSW505 (300-460W / 23Hz-160Hz)
Receiver : Pioneer VSX-1021-K (90W/channel, 8ohm, 20Hz-20kHz / 550W total power draw)
Cables : 12 gauge for speakers, connected with banana plugs
: RCA (I think its unshielded), from receiver to sub-woofer
: S/PDIF (TOSLINK), connecting receiver to computer

Manufacturers of receivers seem to advertise misleading power figures & functionality! I mean with all that electronics crammed inside of it, this receiver (probably) can only push 450W to the speakers, which would put 90W per channel (at the best of times) for a 5.1 setup. So then why even claim 7.1 or 7.1 + 2 extra speakers in ZONE2 (basically 9 speakers)? Also this particular receiver claims ability to reassign surround back L/R channels to the front L/R for a bi-amp speaker setup. Only thing I will say in this case is that glad I did some reading up on bi-wiring/bi-amping (especially) on home A/V receivers & the fact that I can still do grade school arithmetic. Unfortunately this speaker doesn't have speaker pre-amp out.

Anyway, thanks to everyone in advance for any help (& sorry for the little rant about receivers & bi-amping).

tommyt21

See my thread on the PSW505. Sorry dude it doesn't go THUD. It goes rumble/boom it just doesn't dig that deep. I always felt mine start to roll off around 30hz and you need to go alot deeper and tighter for THUD. I had that reciever and a very similar setup. Plug your speakers in run the mic to your sitting position, use the auto cal function when its done I would bump up the channel levels because the auto cal seems to push them to low levels. Set the subwoofer to yes or plus & X-over at 80 set all your speaks to small and on the 505 I kept the nob at around 90 and the volume at around the half way mark. For music switch to direct mode. Try those settings out and see if its a little better. I'm sure the smart guys will chime in soon. They may be better help than I. Good Luck

tommyt21

Jop I forgot to ask you how long have you had the PSW505, because with subs they have a break in period and they dont hit well right out of the box, also check the phase settings flip the switch between 180/0 see which sounds louder. If you can also do the subcrawl method for placement or pop that bad boy in the corner you may get better bass exstension.

jOPl0hEtcM

tommy, thank you very much for the replies. You were right about this sub doing boom & rumble (a lot too), but no 'THUUUUDD' (or for that matter very clean sounding or very detailed); tested after the MCACC tuning (with TRON Legacy). Was hoping this ~200 ish sub would do the trick without having to spend the ~500 ish (lowest end good quality deep bass capable subs, more for better ones) for a 'THUUUUDD' capable sub; well, guess not. Funny thing is my DT-770 Pro can produce a good 'THUUUUDD' (you just don't feel it), but then again they cost more than the PSW505!

Went with your MCACC/auto tuning suggestion. It has made quite the difference; I can change between a tuned & factory default MCACC profiles during playback & can literally hear the difference. As per your suggestion, I have upped all the channel levels by about +5.0db, set sub to YES w/80Hz & all the speakers to small. I left the volume & freq settings to factory default on the sub (thats what you were recommending anyway).

However I've lost the ability to switch to Direct/Pure Direct modes (using AUTO/ALC/DIRECT button), but I can still switch to STEREO, STANDARD & ADV SURR modes. Is there anyway to get back DIRECT & PURE DIRECT playback again? The entire time I watched TRON Legacy, listening mode was stuck at Expanded Stereo!

I had it for about 4 days now (hooked up to the receiver for about 2 days). I always thought it was people just getting used to the new speaker/headphone (as in psychological; every speaker/headphone has different sound reproduction & each is unique in its own ways). Last time I heard about breaking in speakers/headphones was when I bought the DT-770 Pro's, but they still sound exactly the same as they did from the moment I took them out of the box (it also helped that I have very good hearing & more importantly that my hearing was not 'COLORED' by another set of headphones before, as I didn't own any, nope not even a crappy one!). But I'm no expert, so, instead I'll have to defer to them on this one (heck, I don't even know what this speaker/sub phase you just talked about; seriously what is it? Guess its time to go read some more, ha ha.)

Actually I was thinking of putting the sub in a corner (by two walls), thinking it'd produce a better sound stage (sound waves hitting the hard wall & bouncing off them) before the MCACC tuning as it just sounded awful. I might still do this (if I can get some space in some corner of the room); if I do, is there a max length limit or specific type of RCA cable I need?

Sherardp

Sub rec, the last you will need

http://epiksubwoofers.com/empire.html

or

http://epiksubwoofers.com/legend.html

Lava subs have gotten good reviews as well

http://www.lavasubs.com/12_inch/powered_home_subwoofer.html

benben84

I have a very similar setup as you and love it!

My setup on my receiver is as follows:
All speakers set to large, sounded best
Subwoofer volume maxed out - I prefer to adjust on the sub itself
Subwoofers are set to 70Hz - for now until completely broke-in
Subwoofers gain is 50% until broke-in

I just started breaking in my two PSW505's and they are stacked in a corner which I've found to be the sweet spot in the room. Even on break-in settings they sound amazing with music for me, absolutely no complaints! I read a lot of hate for this subs online but the reviews were all 5 star for them, weird. I decided $169 each I just can't go wrong. My buddy has a 2 year old SVS PB12-Plus and that thing is huge and everyone on audio forums love it and praise it. I however have listened to it a ton and didn't think it sounded any better then two 505's. I'm also a guy that cannot tell the difference between turning the knobs from one side to the other on the amp so it all comes down to preference I guess. I prefer my bass to sound like a car stereo that rattles and vibrates everything and makes your head feel funny over SQL.

You cannot judge a sub until it's fully broke-in though, can be 60 hours or so. I'm happy with them and my wallet is much happier I didn't spend $1300 on the SVS.