Cross Over Setting on SW

Evanguy2004
Evanguy2004 Posts: 77
edited March 2009 in Subwoofer Hookup & Bass Management
OK everyone. I am new to this world of Sub Woofers. I just bought a new Polk Audio PSW111 over the weekend at CC for $149.99 (50% off!!). I now have found the setting on my Denon Receiver to boost the DB in the SW channel. This has made all the difference in volume! Now my question is what is the optimum setting for the crossover. I originally set it to 80 hz but I read somewhere if you set all your front speakers to small (I have no rears) you can go higher on the crossover setting. I now have it set to 120hz


Here is how I have my PSW111 set up:

Denon AVR 1706 REceiver

LFE SW Output to the PSW111

All my fronts are set to small

SW Channel DB set ar 5 DB (PSW111 is set at around 50%)
Post edited by Evanguy2004 on
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Comments

  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited March 2009
    What are your main speakers? Most prefer their SW set at 60-80 if their fronts can handle being set that low. After a while you'll most likely not like the sub as high as 120.
    Ben
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • TNRabbit
    TNRabbit Posts: 2,168
    edited March 2009
    Generally, you want to set your sub at or just above the -3 dB rolloff point of the Mains.
    TNRabbit
    NO Polk Audio Equipment :eek:
    Sunfire TG-IV
    Ashly 1001 Active Crossover
    Rane PEQ-15 Parametric Equalizers x 2
    Sunfire Cinema Grand Signature Seven
    Carver AL-III Speakers
    Klipsch RT-12d Subwoofer
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  • Evanguy2004
    Evanguy2004 Posts: 77
    edited March 2009
    I use the Studio 10 Polk Audio from about 15 years ago as my front L/R Mains. Now that I found the Channel DB setting for the SW, I might take down my crossover of my SW to say about 80Hz from the 120hz. Is that what I am hearing?
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited March 2009
    120 is too high. A lot of newbs(including me) fall into setting their XO point to high for the extra volume, but it grows old soon for most.
    Ben
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited March 2009
    Yep, 120hz becomes localized, with my SVS PB13U I find 60hz works best for me and the SDA-1Cs. No sub needed for music though
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
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  • Evanguy2004
    Evanguy2004 Posts: 77
    edited March 2009
    Thanks everyone for your comments. I will try lowering my crossover tonight when I get home from work. I initially had it higher (120Hz) because my channel DB on my SW was set at zero (Default setting). Low and behold I find that I can turn up the channel DB on my Denon to like 2DB or 3DB whichhas given me the boost I was looking at. I think the standard 80hz will be good for now.

    The problem before was I was at "10" on my volume switch on my PSW111 and I needed to go to "11" (Spinal Tap Humor) :eek:
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  • Evanguy2004
    Evanguy2004 Posts: 77
    edited March 2009
    OMG...I just set the PSW111 to 80 Htz and I think I just found the sweet spot for my PSW111. Key learning....If you feel like your sub woofer isn't kicking out enough bass find the Channel Db setting on your receiver and kick it up a notch!:eek::D;)
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  • ChrisD
    ChrisD Posts: 101
    edited March 2009
    120 Hz is pretty high. You'll often be able to localize audio coming from the subwoofer, which you don't want.
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