Help setting up speakers

David Edwards

System: Recvr.: HK AVR125, DVD Apex AD-600A, TV Sony KP- 53S15, Fronts: Sony SS-MF315, Center: Infinity CC-1, Sub: InfinityBU-2, Rears: Polk R15. Sub is se inbetween theleft front and TV. Room size is 12' x 36', min listening area is 12'x18'. 8' ceiling. I know this is a lower end set up but I'm happy with it. I was hoping for input on the best way to set up the speakers. Large vs. small plus output levels? Any help or extra thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

warviper

Hey man try using the search feature it answers lots a questions thats where i go and welcome to the forum lots of cool guys with a lot of audio info. Just type in speaker setup or calibration and it should give you a bunch of reading to do. Good luck.:D

David Edwards

Thanks. I tried a couple of searches but not those specifically. I suppose my real concern is the sub. I have my speakers set at large and sub to L/R LFE. I'm trying to keep a clean rumble not too loud of feedback. Freq. is at about 50 Hz but volume is almost all the way down.










Stupid is as stupid does.

VR3

I wire mine with speaker wire, crossed over at 60hz. Goodday!

walk

Most people use a HT AVR with subwoofer out and let the AVR do the crossover so there's no overlap in bass.

Set all speakers to SMALL, sub to ON/YES and if the crossover point is adjustable, use 80hz if your woofers are 6.5" or larger, otherwise use 100hz. Experiment and decide for yourself what sounds better. Also get a Radio Shack SPL meter ($20) and calibrate the system with test tones (either your AVR's internal test tones or a DVD like Avia) <- very important!

dave shepard

Don't forget to set the recievers sub level to -5 (if the settings can be -10/+10) and adjust the output level at the sub's gain (volume) control. You can also adjust the phase to see if that does anything for you. Usually you set it to 0 for front HT and adjust as needeed (up to 180) if behind the seating position, but it really is up to the user to see which is best. I have mine between the front speaker and the TV also because of room set-up and wife make it difficult to change and have no problems.

Good luck

Dave

kberg

Originally posted by dave shepard
You can also adjust the phase to see if that does anything for you. Usually you set it to 0 for front HT and adjust as needeed (up to 180) if behind the seating position, but it really is up to the user to see which is best.

Doc,

I have my SVS as part of the front soundstage, but still have the phase set to 180. I think at one point way back when you suggested that this would be better but I can't remember why. Can you, or anybody else, explain why? Not sure I can even tell the difference - just curious at this point. Thx

David Edwards

Thanks, Dave! I did what you said and Twister sounded real good in DTS. I'll have to do a little more tweaking but I was able to raise my volume and freq. Hey do you know if they sell the meter and disc on QVC? THE WIFE would have no problem buying them from there!

dave shepard

Set all speakers to small and your recievers crossover to 80Htz. Put your recievers sub leavel to -5 (if your reciever is adjustable form -10/+10) and adjust the volume at the sub., this will insure that a clean signal will be given to the sub.. I do not recomend using your recievers test tones for (HT playback) setting for your speakers because there will be different sound levels when using different pieces of equipment (DVD, VCR, Tuner, CD's, Tapes), using a true digital disc's test tones (AVIA) through your DVD player will ensure that the leavels will be correct when playing DVD's.

Good luck and enjoy the show!!

Dave

David Edwards

Dave,or anyone, one mor Q? Are my speakers poorly matched? I really never thought about it. I suppose I'm doing the best that I can. Also, what's a good price for the AVIA disc? Isaw a new one on EBay for 40 bucks.

dave shepard

I believe I spent $40 for the AVIA disc I'm not really sure, it's been a while, but worth it. As for the speakers being poorly matched, the best I can say is when putting together speakers you will want to try and keep the same make and series for all speakers (the sub doesn't count)(same tweeters, mids) this will insure the best poss. match for timbre purposes. There are some in here that have diff. speakers for front and rear or sides and they have no complants that I have came across yet. As long as you are happy so far that is all that really counts you can make changes as the need or want arrises. The most important thing is you have a start in this hobby and I hope you enjoy what you experiance. You will be able to better tell a bad match when you get the disc and the seperate tests begin there will be segments that will give you specific tones that will go accross each speaker and you should be able to tell which ones are out of timbre better. Trying to make that desition listening to music or a movie can be difficult.

Hope this helps

Dave

David Edwards

I'm going to try and get a good price on the Avia, try it out , then I'll let you know. Thanks, again. I hop they do or my wife will bloody freak! You know, I think Polk should sell on QVC?!