PSW650 setup with Denon AVR-3802

kalants

Wasssup Polk Gurus:
I've got a little set up question here for all of you gurus here. Let me tell you what I have first and then you guys can tell me what the best way to set up all of my components.

This is what I have right now:
Polk RT1000i main speakers
Polk CS400i center speaker
Polk f/x 500i surrounds
Polk PSW650 sub

At the nucleus of it all is the following receiver:
Denon AVR-3802

And some of the other stuff, if you're interested:
SONY KV-36XBR450
SONY DVP-NS700P
Bell'O ATC-2101 Audio Tower
Bell'O Sp-200 Speaker Stands
Monster Cable for the interconnects

The speaker wire is Monster XPMS.
The speaker wire connectors are MTT R-H for every connection.
The sub-woofer connector is Monster Cable - MB 400SW-24FT.

Now to sound like a true amateur...
In the receiver set-up, I have all the speakers set up as small and the sub (I just got this recently to complete my system) is connected from the sub-out from the receiver into the LFE on the sub-woofer. What should the frequency be set to for the sub-woofer through the receiver? Can you guys tell me if this is the best set-up option with my equipment? Also, what should the settings be for all of the controls on the back panel of the sub-woofer?

Thanks...

jcaut

I don't think I qualify as any sort of "guru", but I'd suggest doing a little reading, both in your manuals and here, first.

Since your RT1000i's have built in, powered woofers, I think you ought to set them to Large. Are you using speaker wire connections, only, for the RT1000i's? I'd suggest setting the other speakers to "small".

I have a Denon 3801, and it doesn't allow me to specify the Low pass frequency for the sub out. If the 3802 does, then the best setting depends on whether it also High pass filters the speakers set to "small" at the same frequency. If you don't know, 80 Hz is probably a good compromise, though a little lower might be better. You need to try several settings to see what works best in your room.

Jason

kalants

Jason,
I actually noticed the "Bass Management" article as soon as I posted my question. I read it and it did clear some things up. Though, thanks for pointing it out.

As for the RT1000i speaker connections, they are connected only via speaker wires. So, I can try setting the RT1000i speakers as large and set the sub frequency to 80 Hz (I think that's the lowest the receiver will let me set it at).

What about the settings on the sub-woofer itself?

Thanks...

egk

I have the same setup except I have 800i's instead of the 1000i's. You should know that I'm also a novice at this. But anyway, the first thing I tried was to setup my sub according to hookup option 1 in the 650's instruction manual. The sub's performance in my opinion was disappointing at best. After trying one configuration after another, I settled on the following:
Wire the sub according to the manual's option 1. Then use a coax to connect the subout on the 3802 to the LFE in on the sub. Configure the sub in the 3802 to select LFE+MAIN and set the mains to LARGE. As for the settings on the sub, I set the variable low pass crossover to the mid-point. the switchable bass boost to 0. The high pass crossover to 80Hz. I started with the volume on the front at about 4 and eventually raised it to about 5.5-6. This works for me but I suppose room size and sub location probably has some effect. My room size is 13x24. I hope this helps.

Ed

OrangeToupee

I believe you would want to have all three of your subs low pass crossovers set to at least 80Hz's, so that you don't run the risk of double filtering your signals. What in effect is taking place, is that you're telling your receiver to manage all of your bass signals; so all sub's low pass settings should be set higher than the 80Hz that your Denon will be set to. I have the 2802 and I believe that you also have the three choices that I have: 80Hz, 100Hz, and 120Hz ... so, in your on-screen display menu, you'd want to say 'yes' to sub, 'large' to fronts, and '80' to Hz to bass crossover.

I have a different brand of sub, but on the back of mine you're given the option of using the sub's 'internal crossover', or selecting 'direct', which hands the reins over to the receiver. Your configuration would demand that you allow the Denon to assume control of your bass management.

Some people prefer the CS400i to be set to small, and others prefer the large setting. You'll have to be the judge.

rskarvan

I found that the best way to use the 650 with the Denon 3801 is to wire the pre-amp outputs directly to the 650 in addition to the LFE output (80 hz) from the Denon.

This way, the psw650 sums the signals.
All LFE (dolby digital) stuff gets passed to the sub.
The entire signal from the preamp outputs also gets passed to the sub. Then, I use the sub x-over adjustment to adjust the overall sound of the psw650.

I set my main's to large and all other speakers to small and leave the sub on "lfe + main". This way, any explosions (deep bass) that happens in the surround signal finds its way to the sub and doesn't go to the main speakers. If I'm listening to music, I get the benefit of a variable x-over on the 650 for blending the sub to the mains. My main's extend down to 20hz; so, its not necessary to high filter them via the speaker wires through the 650 (I think that's cheesey).

In summary, hook up the 650 with three rca jacks.
One for the LFE and one for the Rt Main and Left Main.
That works best for me with the Denon 3801.