LSi25 Questions

Altmanfan
Altmanfan Posts: 33
edited July 2006 in Speakers
Does anybody have an opinion on the (usual) optimal volume and crossover settings for the LSi25? Judging by the lack of info returned when I search the forum, most people have the LSi15 vs LSi25......and I'm thinking I probably should have gone that route, too. What's done's done, though....

My setup:
Onkyo SR803 as preamp
Outlaw 7700 amp
Denon 3910 DVD player
LSi25s
LSiC
LSiF/X surround
Infinity Primus 360's back surround (previous fronts before I got the LSi's)
Hsu VTF-3 MK2 sub

I have the Infinitys powered by the AVR, and all of the LSis powered by the Outlaw (center is biamped).

The more I play with bass management, the more I (and my ears) am confused. I definitely have some problems with mid-level and bass muddiness from the 25s.

With the separate sub, should I maybe just leave the LSi25 subs turned off (which would make them an expensive pair of LSi9's, I guess)? Right now I have the 25s' subs set to crossover at about 100 and volume at 11 o'clock.

Anyone with experience, ideas or suggestions? Thanks!
Post edited by Altmanfan on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • wingnut4772
    wingnut4772 Posts: 7,519
    edited July 2006
    I would pick up a Velodyne SMS-1 . This will help you integrate your mains with your sub really nicely and you can actually see what is going on. Other than that, try lowering the crossover step by step. What do you have the Hsu crossed at?
    Sharp Elite 70
    Anthem D2V 3D
    Parasound 5250
    Parasound HCA 1000 A
    Parasound HCA 1000
    Oppo BDP 95
    Von Schweikert VR4 Jr R/L Fronts
    Von Schweikert LCR 4 Center
    Totem Mask Surrounds X4
    Hsu ULS-15 Quad Drive Subwoofers
    Sony PS3
    Squeezebox Touch

    Polk Atrium 7s on the patio just to keep my foot in the door.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Altmanfan
    Altmanfan Posts: 33
    edited July 2006
    wingnut4772 wrote:
    I would pick up a Velodyne SMS-1 . This will help you integrate your mains with your sub really nicely and you can actually see what is going on. Other than that, try lowering the crossover step by step. What do you have the Hsu crossed at?

    I have the Hsu crossover set to "in" and 90Hz.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • wingnut4772
    wingnut4772 Posts: 7,519
    edited July 2006
    90 sounds a bit high to me. I have my whole set up crossed at 60. You have basically pretty full range speakers so you might want to try lowering the crossovers and see what you like . Get your set up sounding the way you want WITHOUT the subs on the LSI25s. After you have done that, integrate the subs on the LSi25s slowly starting with a similar crossover to get to where you want.
    Sharp Elite 70
    Anthem D2V 3D
    Parasound 5250
    Parasound HCA 1000 A
    Parasound HCA 1000
    Oppo BDP 95
    Von Schweikert VR4 Jr R/L Fronts
    Von Schweikert LCR 4 Center
    Totem Mask Surrounds X4
    Hsu ULS-15 Quad Drive Subwoofers
    Sony PS3
    Squeezebox Touch

    Polk Atrium 7s on the patio just to keep my foot in the door.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Altmanfan
    Altmanfan Posts: 33
    edited July 2006
    Altmanfan wrote:
    I have the Hsu crossover set to "in" and 90Hz.

    Well, I guess that's not totally accurate. 90 is the setting on the Hsu itself (it was way boomy with crossover "out"), but for music the bass management in the Denon 3910 is set at 60Hz, with subwoofer "yes" and fronts, surround and center all set to "small".
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • wingnut4772
    wingnut4772 Posts: 7,519
    edited July 2006
    I am not familiar with the HSU but if you are using the bass management on the Denon then typically the crossover on the sub should just be disabled entirely. Does 'out' mean off? If not you should just turn it off on the sub and calibrate your volume levels to start.Do you have an SPL meter?

    Edit: Just read your sub manual- Evidently the 'out' position does disable the sub crossover and let the Denon manage it....but they recommend if it sounds boomy to switch it to 'on' and set it and 90. Not sure what that is about. Maybe someone else can help with that...?

    Have you done the 'crawl' test to see if your placement is good?
    Sharp Elite 70
    Anthem D2V 3D
    Parasound 5250
    Parasound HCA 1000 A
    Parasound HCA 1000
    Oppo BDP 95
    Von Schweikert VR4 Jr R/L Fronts
    Von Schweikert LCR 4 Center
    Totem Mask Surrounds X4
    Hsu ULS-15 Quad Drive Subwoofers
    Sony PS3
    Squeezebox Touch

    Polk Atrium 7s on the patio just to keep my foot in the door.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Altmanfan
    Altmanfan Posts: 33
    edited July 2006
    wingnut4772 wrote:
    I am not familiar with the HSU but if you are using the bass management on the Denon then typically the crossover on the sub should just be disabled entirely. Does 'out' mean off? If not you should just turn it off on the sub and calibrate your volume levels to start.Do you have an SPL meter?

    Yep, and after calibrating I'm happy with what the Hsu's doing....great blended extension but doesn't call attention to itself. It's just that when I start adding in the LSi25 subs it immediately starts getting muddy. With the LSi25 subs off, though, the mid-range seems thin. Maybe I just answered my own question.......I'm back to "WHY did I have to buy the LSi25?". Probably just because it was the "top of the line". And my own ignorance. Feh.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • wingnut4772
    wingnut4772 Posts: 7,519
    edited July 2006
    Well it's a lot harder to change the placement of the mains than the sub so it's possible that they are in spots that would make them boom. Just way lower their crossover I guess until that goes away and you can live with the mid range. I still recommend the SMS-1
    Sharp Elite 70
    Anthem D2V 3D
    Parasound 5250
    Parasound HCA 1000 A
    Parasound HCA 1000
    Oppo BDP 95
    Von Schweikert VR4 Jr R/L Fronts
    Von Schweikert LCR 4 Center
    Totem Mask Surrounds X4
    Hsu ULS-15 Quad Drive Subwoofers
    Sony PS3
    Squeezebox Touch

    Polk Atrium 7s on the patio just to keep my foot in the door.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • wingnut4772
    wingnut4772 Posts: 7,519
    edited July 2006
    Have you tried setting the fronts to 'Large'?
    Sharp Elite 70
    Anthem D2V 3D
    Parasound 5250
    Parasound HCA 1000 A
    Parasound HCA 1000
    Oppo BDP 95
    Von Schweikert VR4 Jr R/L Fronts
    Von Schweikert LCR 4 Center
    Totem Mask Surrounds X4
    Hsu ULS-15 Quad Drive Subwoofers
    Sony PS3
    Squeezebox Touch

    Polk Atrium 7s on the patio just to keep my foot in the door.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter