TSi400, CS10 and PSW 111 System Questions

ArsenalFC

Hey guys --

Long time lurker, first time poster. I hate to rehash topics that have already been covered, so I apologize for doing it. Problem is, I either can't search effectively, or can't comprehend what's been said. I do have a few questions I sure would appreciate some guidance with...

Here's my system:
Front Left and Right: TSi400
Center: CS10
Surround Left and Right: T15 (I have older RTi6's, but they're too big for the shelves)
Sub: PSW111
Receiver: Yamaha RX-V550
Room: Small-ish living room, wood floors

And here are the questions:

1) Both the PSW 111 and the Yamaha reciever have crossover settings. I have the PSW fed using the LFE jack out of the receiver. Taking the rest of the sytem into account, I'm thinking the crossover should be around 80hz? If so, is that a setting on the receiver or the sub or both? If it's just the receiver, what do I set the sub at?

2) I've had to run the speaker wire back to the surrounds on a run of almost 50 feet each. I used in-wall rated wire, but would length account for how weak the surround sound seems to be? Or, is it more likely a function of (relatively) sub-par speakers?

3) I have a hard time finding the right balance between music and HT system settings. Anyone have a similar set-up that can offer any tricks to maximize both?

I plan on upgrading the reciever sometime in the next year or two. I also wish I'd gone with at least the CS20 center. I'm not sure if I'm not utilizing the sub correctly or if it's just not a super strong sub for HT application. Music sounds great for the most part, but I think it's a bit lacking in the bass department when I want to take a trip back to the 90's and the East Coast/West Coast hip-hop wars.

Any tips, suggestions, comments or questions are more than appreciated!

Thanks.

rpf65

You need to turn the cross-over knob on any sub to the maximum set point, and then control the freq through your AVR. I think YPAO set the cross-over on my sub to 60 Hz, and I currently have it at 100 Hz. Running a DSW pro440wi, with RTI A5's, and this sub isn't the greatest for HT. I would probably advise looking for a new sub, maybe something from HSU or SVS. I think dropping $500 or so on a sub would probably be a better short term investment over a new AVR. I'm running a Yamaha RX-V571, want to replace it, but the sub will come first.

If your using 16 AWG wire, 50 feet is probably pushing it a little. Not saying it won't work, but 14 AWG would be better. I personally would just try raising the volume on your surrounds by a Db, and see if that helps.

When I listen to HT, I usually use standard mode, just seems to sound best to my ears from the choices offered. Anytime I listen to music, it's in 2 channel. Let's face it, if it was recorded in 2 channel, adding another channel or 10 of extra speakers is electronic processing. Recorded in 2 channel, best to listen to it that way. Again just my personal opinion.

Back to your sub, I also ended up adding 2 Db to what YPAO set it at. I also only have the volume set on the sub at about 50%. If you run you auto-cal program, and it is set +/- 5 Db, I would recommend adjusting the subs volume knob. The closer you can get to 0, the better.

Hope this has helped a little.

ArsenalFC

Thanks for the help rpf65.

I think I might have spotted another problem with my system. As I've said, I've got a 5.1 system. However, when I'm watching blu-ray's (or any other source, really) my receiver never shows all 6 speakers illuminated on the display. For example, I'm watching Skyfall on blu-ray right now, running an optical cable directly to the receiver. None of the surround sound options illuminate all of my speakers. To get the best sound (in my opinion), I'm using DTS Neo:6 Cinema. I believe Neo 6 will either take a 2 channel source and simulate 5.1 or take a 5.1 source and simulate 6 or 7.1. In addition, the receiver display only shows my left and right speakers. This leads me to believe for some reason my receiver is only processing the incoming signal as 2 channel and this would help explain why I feel like my surround sound speakers are so underwhelming.

Any thoughts, anyone?

tonyb

Did you set up the receivers inputs.....set it up at all ? Read the manual ? You may need to run an HDMI cable from the BR player to receiver. Some BR discs don't have a DD/DTS audio track, which is what an optical cable is only capable of. Does your receiver handle BR audio formats ?

tonyb

Never mind, I just looked. Your receiver doesn't have HDMI or decode BR audio formats. I assume your BR player doesn't have 5.1 analog outputs either. You need to upgrade that receiver my friend if BR is your thing or stick to DVD. If the BR disc has an audio option in the drop down menu when you start the BR disc, usually under setup, it may have a DD option but if not then your out of luck.

ArsenalFC

Yep... I figured that's what it was going to take. I guess I just had to hear it from one of you.

Thanks for the help tonyb.