Sub Frequency Level

simoes

I have been reading about sub settings and I noticed the most common frequency settings are from 40-80Hz. However, when I set my AVR crossover at 100Hz the bass levels are much noticeable. I'm a bit confused by this as wouldn't you want more bass so why is everyone setting the frequency between 40-80Hz?

msg

It's more about the right frequency to blend with the bass capabilities of your other speakers, room, etc.

Too low a crossover point and you'll have a gap in bass.

Too high a crossover point, and the sub may be too active and start to muddy up and lose definition. Think, constant rumble.

For small satellite speakers this is really the only option, as small speakers can't make much bass. For larger speakers, however, it's about finding that sweet spot.

Yes, let your ears guide you. Keep notes, and don't be afraid to experiment. Others' numbers are only a rule of thumb.

simoes

msg wrote: »

Yes use your ears. Others' numbers are only a rule of thumb.

So I'm not going nuts? lol The higher the setting, the more bass? I have two 15" subs so technically I should go higher?

msg

It's not really more bass in the sense of greater bass output. It's more of a perception, and "more" depends on which characteristic of bass you're talking about.

By raising the crossover level, you're allowing the sub to "speak" more for higher frequencies in the track.

After a point you'll start to hear things like lower frequencies of voices and such. Depending on the audio you're listening to, this can muddy things up by making your sub too busy to do anything very well.

This can be perceived as fuller frequency coverage, and it is, but again, it's about balance and blending. Ideally, you shouldn't be able to easily locate the sub. If you can, you're letting in too high a range of frequencies.

But yes, sometimes a higher crossover point works nicely. I run a small set of desktop speakers with a sub set at 100Hz. It sounds good for near field 2ch listening.

txcoastal1

What speakers do you have so we can pull up the frequency slope

msg

^^^ Yeah, this. Let's start here.

simoes

txcoastal1 wrote: »

What speakers do you have so we can pull up the frequency slope

Front - RTiA9 (set to LARGE)
Center - CSiA6 (set to SMALL)
Surround - RTiA7 (set to LARGE)
Rear - RTiA5 (set to SMALL)
Subs - HSU VTF-15H MK2 x 2

msg

And what are you using to drive these speakers?
What's your AVR?
Do you have an external amp?

simoes

AVR - Yamaha HTR-6180

Outlaw 2200 x 3 - Front Stage
Outlaw 2220 x 2 - Surround
Outlaw 5000 - Rear

txcoastal1

With you setting the speakers to large keeps them running full range and your receiver crossover settings will change nothing to those speakers

Set all speakers to small

simoes

txcoastal1 wrote: »

Set all speakers to small

Oh Ya? I won't lose the bass from the A9s and A7s? Or doesn't that matter?

txcoastal1

The 7's don't matter definitely set those to small

While watching a movie with heavy bass drops will send full range to all "Large" set speakers and you could torch a speaker

Start off by setting to small and re-calibrate the system using the mic. Turn off all fans and AC and get room as quiet as possible while running calibrations

simoes

Ok, I'm going to do that.

pitdogg2

simoes wrote: »

txcoastal1 wrote: »

Set all speakers to small

Oh Ya? I won't lose the bass from the A9s and A7s? Or doesn't that matter?

Yep it will all go to the subs. Where are these 2 15" subs located?

simoes

txcoastal1 wrote: »

Start off by setting to small and re-calibrate the system using the mic. Turn off all fans and AC and get room as quiet as possible while running calibrations

So I set all speakers to small and ran calibrations. Once done, the settings were changed to 90Hz crossover, all speakers changed to large, with the exception of the center speaker. Change them all back to small now?

There is also a setting to select the RFE/Bass output. I have it set to sub only.

simoes

pitdogg2 wrote: »

Where are these 2 15" subs located?

Both in front of room in opposite corners - challenged for space...

msg

Nice subs, too.

pitdogg2

simoes wrote: »

pitdogg2 wrote: »

Where are these 2 15" subs located?

Both in front of room in opposite corners - challenged for space...

When I had two large subs, I found opposite corners front and back work very well in my non-ideal room. Room modes could also be cancelling frequencies.

pitdogg2

There's a lot going on up front that's for sure. When I started my last post you had edited so I didn't see the picture until my post came up. I was like hey now where did that picture come from lol

msg

By the way, what are you listening to when you feel like you're not getting enough bass or fill? Is it music or theater?

simoes

msg wrote: »

By the way, what are you listening to when you feel like you're not getting enough bass or fill? Is it music or theater?

I didn't say I wasn't getting enough bass lol I was just shocked that I got more bass when I set the frequency to 100Hz, oppose to the average I see around on all the forums of 40-80Hz. I was just a bit confused to why everyone has such a low frequency level.

pitdogg2

Well regardless of what others have, forget numbers and go with what sounds most coherent and best in your room.

simoes

pitdogg2 wrote: »

Well regardless of what others have, forget numbers and go with what sounds most coherent and best in your room.

All this is confusing to me lol I thought the lower the frequency, the more bass. I was shocked to find the opposite

Anyway, I have set all speakers to small and see how it sounds tomorrow...

joecoulson

Have you run Audyssey?

joecoulson

Also are you running the subs as LFE or Main+LFE

simoes

joecoulson wrote: »

Have you run Audyssey?

I ran the AVR auto calibration setup. Is that the same as Audyssey? lol Man, do I sound dumb haha

txcoastal1

The the higher settings cross out the lower frequencies to your speakers, those frequencies go higher into your sub

Setting Receiver say at 100hz for example

Your sub will play frequencies from 20hz to 100hz and when speakers are set to small they will play play frequencies 100hz-20khz

Setting speakers to large they will play full range

simoes

joecoulson wrote: »

Also are you running the subs as LFE or Main+LFE

Just the subs as LFE...

txcoastal1

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https://in.pinterest.com/pin/854346991794664993/&psig=AOvVaw3JQ5IA7GpDAO6F0NiO00ed&ust=1598066719929000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCLDy0dOsq-sCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD

txcoastal1

https://www.svsound.com/blogs/svs/should-speakers-be-set-to-large-or-small-on-an-av-receiver

simoes

txcoastal1 wrote: »

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https://in.pinterest.com/pin/854346991794664993/&psig=AOvVaw3JQ5IA7GpDAO6F0NiO00ed&ust=1598066719929000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCLDy0dOsq-sCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD

So this makes sense, by selecting 100Hz I'm sending more "upper base" frequencies to the subs which in turn is why I'm hearing more base. Like msg has indicated, I guess I have to listen and see when the sound becomes too muddy due to the subs being too busy playing such a wide range. Also have to be careful of missing out on the midrange frequencies to the other speakers. Starting to make sense. lol

I've set all my speakers to SMALL so I'll see what kind of difference that makes