Bass and Treble Settings

MikeT66
MikeT66 Posts: 21
edited May 2004 in Speakers
What do you guys recommend setting the bass and treble settings at?? Should I just leave them set flat at 0 for each. Any help you can provide is appreciated.:)
Mike T

Onkyo TX-SR501 (Receiver)
Polk R50 (Fronts)
Polk R20 (Rear Surround)
Polk CSi3 (Center)
KLH Sub
65in Mitsubishi HDTV
Post edited by MikeT66 on
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  • organ
    organ Posts: 4,969
    edited May 2004
    Leave both at 0 or bypass the controls if possible. If you prefer a different sound, play around with the settings to find the one you like best.

    Maurice
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  • PolkThug
    PolkThug Posts: 7,532
    edited May 2004
    Flat 0! I used to have my treble cranked up, but I gradually turned it down over the last few months. If you are used to having it cranked, you may have to ween yourself like I did. Now it hurts my ears if I set it to where I used to.

    Regards,
    PolkThug
    Never Forget
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited May 2004
    Start at 0. If you don't like it after a few days change it. It is my opinion that it is almost always best to change the room and/or equipment around to achieve the correct tonal balance for the majority of your recordings rather than doing it electrically. None of my stuff has tone controls and after a little re-arangement I don't need any. I would never go more than +/- 2 on them at the most if I had them. If you do then you have something else wrong and even though it helps a little it is hurting you somewhere else.
    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,643
    edited May 2004
    Flat!
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • Ron-P
    Ron-P Posts: 8,519
    edited May 2004
    Flat!
    If...
    Ron dislikes a film = go out and buy it.
    Ron loves a film = don't even rent.
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  • PolkWannabie
    PolkWannabie Posts: 2,763
    edited May 2004
    What are bass and treble controls :D
    Rick
    HT+ Sunfire TG IV, Dual CG Sig II's, CinePro 1K2, Oppo 981, Audio Technica PL120, Polk SRT's & F/X1000's, Samsung 71" DLP
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited May 2004
    Just one thing to remember here. We are talking about systems that are basically flat at 0 right? I mean the important thing is that the material is presented flat, not what the controls are set at...
    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • warviper
    warviper Posts: 585
    edited May 2004
    I have mine set to flat on the treble but I am using the bass boost. It your music I would set it to the level that you like it best.
    Different speakers have different abilities and in the end its your gear and your ear.
    Wish I was a polkologist then I could call my self Dr.warviper.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,643
    edited May 2004
    Actually, I don't have any tone controls, so flat is the only option. It seems to me that when one moves into seperates they just don't come with tone controls, if that tells you something......eh?
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • gidrah
    gidrah Posts: 3,049
    edited May 2004
    Set it at whatever sounds good to you. Start at 0 and go from there. It depends alot on your room and personal tastes. One of my rigs doesn't have tone controls and if it did I'd set them flat or bypass them, except for "loudness" at lower volumes. The other rig needs a little adjustment. It's in a much larger room with hardwood floors

    A buddy of mine really cranks up both the bass and treble, but he's got a rather moderate system (but tons of music - all formats) and seldom listens to acoustic music. He likes that sparkle and oomph.

    I know that flat is "the way the artist intended" and is more pure, but they have done their part and made their money. If flat works for you great, if not tweak it.
    Make it Funky! :)
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  • kberg
    kberg Posts: 974
    edited May 2004
    I agree with gidrah. Although flat can be fine for most, I think that even after calibration, it also depends on the source material. For example, I personally like the opening credits/sound of Top Gun with bass at +2 and treble at +6. Other source material is best running flat (for me). Who's right? THE LISTENER - ALWAYS!
    Mains: polkaudio RTi70's (bi-wired)
    Center: polkaudio CSi40 (bi-wired)
    Surrounds: polkaudio FXi30's
    Rear Center: polkaudio CSi30
    Sub: SVS 20-39 PC+
    Receiver: ONKYO TX-SR600
    Display: JVC HD-56G786
    DVD Player: SONY DVP-CX985V
    DVD Player: OPPO DV-981HD 1080p High Definition Up-Converting Universal DVD Player with HDMI
    Remote: Logitech Harmony H688
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  • BobMcG
    BobMcG Posts: 1,585
    edited May 2004
    With both my HS and my HT systems comprised of separates and without tone controls says something about my stance on this subject. I'm just not for running the signal through an extra set of signal degrading circuits. (And it's far more important to me to keep the signal as clean as poss. where it concerns my 2chHS.) However, I can see a limited role for them... if used wisely, controls can try to help make up for a "sonically challenged" listening room. If faced with such a problem I'd much rather work on the room to make it more audio friendly first...
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  • gidrah
    gidrah Posts: 3,049
    edited May 2004
    :eek: Welcome back Bob. :)
    Make it Funky! :)
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  • BobMcG
    BobMcG Posts: 1,585
    edited May 2004
    It has been a while hasn't it ?

    Now, if I can only figure out where I've been...
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  • jcaut
    jcaut Posts: 1,849
    edited May 2004
    I'll second the welcome back, Bob!

    Jason
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  • BobMcG
    BobMcG Posts: 1,585
    edited May 2004
    I figured it was time to see what's up, see who's still here from the old days, (a lot of guys by the looks!) see some new names (a lot of those too!) and find out what people are talking about these days.
    I see that there seems to be some strong knowledgeable additions to the group.... that's good, real good. On the other hand without having to look real hard, seeing that somethings never change, if you get my drift... not so good.
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  • frankerchino
    frankerchino Posts: 6
    Buenas tardes, soy nuevo con una barra Polk Max AX sr y me gustaría que me dijeran cómo tienen los settings de bass, treble, sowrrounds, height etc... Ya sé que es cuestión de cada uno pero habrá una que coincidan tod@s ...
    Gracias por adelantado y un cordial saludo 🙏
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  • skrol
    skrol Posts: 3,384
    F1nut wrote: »
    Actually, I don't have any tone controls, so flat is the only option. It seems to me that when one moves into seperates they just don't come with tone controls, if that tells you something......eh?

    That's because you have to buy a separate equalizer.
    Stan

    Main 2ch:
    Polk LSi15 (DB840 upgrade), Parasound: P/LD-1100, HCA-1000A; Denon: DVD-2910, DRM-800A; Benchmark DAC1, Monster HTS3600-MKII, Grado SR-225i; Technics SL-J2, Parasound PPH-100.

    HT:
    Marantz SR7010, Polk: RTA11TL (RDO198-1, XO and Damping Upgrades), S4, CS250, PSW110 , Marantz UD5005, Pioneer PL-530, Panasonic TC-P42S60

    Other stuff:
    Denon: DRA-835R, AVR-888, DCD-660, DRM-700A, DRR-780; Polk: S8, Monitor 5A, 5B, TSi100, RM7, PSW10 (DXi104 upgrade); Pioneer: CT-6R; Onkyo CP-1046F; Ortofon OM5E, Marantz: PM5004, CD5004, CDR-615; Parasound C/PT-600, HCA-800ii, Sony CDP-650ESD, Technics SA 5070, B&W DM601
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,643
    Stan is playing funny man tonight.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • gp4jesus
    gp4jesus Posts: 1,988
    edited October 2023
    frankerchino wrote: »
    Buenas tardes, soy nuevo con una barra Polk Max AX sr y me gustaría que me dijeran cómo tienen los settings de bass, treble, sowrrounds, height etc... Ya sé que es cuestión de cada uno pero habrá una que coincidan tod@s ...
    Gracias por adelantado y un cordial saludo 🙏

    “Good afternoon, I am new with a Polk Max AX sr bar and I would like you to tell me how you have the settings for bass, treble, surrounds, height etc... I know it is a matter for each individual but there will be one that everyone agrees on. ...
    Thanks in advance and best regards”

    Bienvenido a Club Polk!

    Espero que esta traducción tenga sentido 😊

    Pruebe primero con "plano".
    Luego, realice pequeños cambios en la configuración de graves y agudos. Al final, lo que realmente importa es lo que “te suena” mejor.

    ¡Disfrutar! Tony

    Samsung 60" UN60ES6100 LED, Outlaw Audio 976 Pre/Pro Samsung BDP, Amazon Firestick, Phillips CD Changer Canare 14 ga - LCR tweeters inside*; Ctr Ch outside BJC 10 ga: LCR mids “Foamed & Plugged**”, inside* & out
    8 ga Powerline: LR woofers, inside* & out
    *soldered **Rob the Man (Xschop) LR: Tri-amped RTi A7 w/Rotels. Woofers - 980BX; Tweets & Mids - 981, connected w/Monoprice Premiere ICs
    Ctr Ch: Rotel RB981 -> Bi-amped CSi A6 Surrounds: Premiere ICs ->Rotel 981 -> AR 12 ga -> RTi A3. 5 Subs: Sunfire True SW Signature -> LFE & Ctr Ch; 4 Audio Pro Evidence @ the “Corners”. Power Conditioning & Distribution: 4 dedicated 20A feeds; APC H15; 5 Furman Miniport 20s
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  • daddyjt
    daddyjt Posts: 2,546
    skrol wrote: »
    F1nut wrote: »
    Actually, I don't have any tone controls, so flat is the only option. It seems to me that when one moves into seperates they just don't come with tone controls, if that tells you something......eh?

    That's because you have to buy a separate equalizer.

    I’m betting Jesse has something like this ;-)

    mleiibdpgela.jpeg
    "Conservative Libertarians love the country, progressive leftists love the government." - Andrew Wilkow


    “Human beings are born with different capacities. If they are free, they are not equal. And if they are equal, they are not free.”
    ― Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,547
    Pretty dancing lights.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,643
    daddyjt wrote: »
    skrol wrote: »
    F1nut wrote: »
    Actually, I don't have any tone controls, so flat is the only option. It seems to me that when one moves into seperates they just don't come with tone controls, if that tells you something......eh?

    That's because you have to buy a separate equalizer.

    I’m betting Jesse has something like this ;-)

    mleiibdpgela.jpeg

    You lose...lol
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • jdjohn
    jdjohn Posts: 3,155
    Wow...it only took 19 years for guys to come up with these 'zingers' :D
    Experienced audiophiles know that all you need is a LOUDNESS button to get the job done ;)
    "This may not matter to you, but it does to me for various reasons, many of them illogical or irrational, but the vinyl hobby is not really logical or rational..." - member on Vinyl Engine
    "Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to." - Cicero, in Gladiator
    Regarding collectibles: "It's not who gets it. It's who gets stuck with it." - Jimmy Fallon
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,547
    edited October 2023
    Well unless you have a good ol' Yamaha product, then you have a variable loudness knob.....

    I always liked those.
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,885
    daddyjt wrote: »
    skrol wrote: »
    F1nut wrote: »
    Actually, I don't have any tone controls, so flat is the only option. It seems to me that when one moves into seperates they just don't come with tone controls, if that tells you something......eh?

    That's because you have to buy a separate equalizer.

    I’m betting Jesse has something like this ;-)

    mleiibdpgela.jpeg

    I... I have one.
    :blush:

    it is in the basement.
    it's also wrapped up in packing paper and taped shut.
    but..
    it is... there.

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  • daddyjt
    daddyjt Posts: 2,546
    When I was 15, I would have had one if I could have afforded it - hands down. I thought that was the coolest thing when I was a kid…
    "Conservative Libertarians love the country, progressive leftists love the government." - Andrew Wilkow


    “Human beings are born with different capacities. If they are free, they are not equal. And if they are equal, they are not free.”
    ― Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,885
    Bass and treble...

    g6wqk66xc1hw.png
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,885
    edited October 2023
    ahem. on topic.
    21st century audiophile-approved "tone control"*
    dunas3epb0cj.jpeg
    nm0sys03ogb3.jpg
    ________________
    * Plus, there're always cables. ;)B):#:blush:
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  • skrol
    skrol Posts: 3,384
    Proper equalizer setting…

    c8r0wm82b07g.jpeg
    Stan

    Main 2ch:
    Polk LSi15 (DB840 upgrade), Parasound: P/LD-1100, HCA-1000A; Denon: DVD-2910, DRM-800A; Benchmark DAC1, Monster HTS3600-MKII, Grado SR-225i; Technics SL-J2, Parasound PPH-100.

    HT:
    Marantz SR7010, Polk: RTA11TL (RDO198-1, XO and Damping Upgrades), S4, CS250, PSW110 , Marantz UD5005, Pioneer PL-530, Panasonic TC-P42S60

    Other stuff:
    Denon: DRA-835R, AVR-888, DCD-660, DRM-700A, DRR-780; Polk: S8, Monitor 5A, 5B, TSi100, RM7, PSW10 (DXi104 upgrade); Pioneer: CT-6R; Onkyo CP-1046F; Ortofon OM5E, Marantz: PM5004, CD5004, CDR-615; Parasound C/PT-600, HCA-800ii, Sony CDP-650ESD, Technics SA 5070, B&W DM601
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