PSW12 setup

silversubaru

Hi guys
I have been running this sub for some time now and just wanted to check whether my settings are correct....

1. Volume level- at about half
2. Phase is on zero (I have no idea what this means)
3. Low pass is on 90 (I see there is 60, 90 and 120 settings but have no idea what this means either!)

I must sound like an utter noob but I'm not that technically minded so hoping someone can help me out!
Cheers
Daniel

Mike21

Hi Daniel.

It would help to answer your questions if you provide some info:

> Does your receiver have subwoofer/bass management?

> If so, what settings are you using?

Mike

silversubaru

Sorry my bad! It was late when I posted!
I'm running an Onkyo 705 receiver, the sub is connected via the LFE jack on the sub to the dedicated sub jack on the receiver. On the setup menu for the receiver, I have the LFE setttings available for 80hz THX, 90, 100 or 120 and I currently have the 90hz option selected and my double bass option is on too.
Hope that helps!
Regards
Daniel

comfortablycurt

What are you using for your front speakers? The double bass feature feeds the LFE track to both the sub and the front channels. I take it you're running the fronts at full range then?

Depending on the speakers, you might try turning double bass off, and crossing the fronts over at 80-90 hz. Since you have the sub set at 90 hz, I'd go 90 on the mains too. I prefer an 80 hz XO point for my sub/mains, but that's just for my setup. Your ideal XO point could be different.

To answer your other questions, the phase switch changes the polarity of the signal to the subwoofer. There are phase issues with subs sometimes, and it really depends on the room, and the speakers you have matched to it. Try the phase switch on the other settings, and see what sounds best. You'll know which one sounds better. Since you've been running it at 0 though, that's probably going to be the best. Try them both though, and find out.

The low pass is the frequency at which the signal is filtered to the sub. You have it set at 90, so all sound frequencies above 90 hz are filtered away, and don't go to the sub, everything below 90 hz is what the sub is producing. The same goes for the other settings, with 100, everything above 100 hz is cut off etc. With the connection method that you have though, using the LFE cable from the AVR, the low pass filter in the sub itself is deactivated, and you're only using the LPF in the AVR. I'd just turn the LPF on the sub all the way up, and use the LPF in the AVR.

cnh

Curt is right.

I have that sub sitting in my basement....was using it for a while. Volume setting gets boomy if you go above 12 o'clock (port noise..a major problem for this model so setup is crucial)

As Curt says, if you're using the LFE the Polk frequency cut off is irrelevant. Set your LFE frequency on the Onkyo. If you have towers set it to 80hz! That sub is rated to 33hz at 3 db, and below 30 at 6 db...this is partly what causes the port noise at high volumes. 100 watts RMS and 260 peak so it's really not that much weaker than the PSW125 and probably plays as loud but lower! PSW125 less port noise though.

As far as phase switch, Curt....RIGHT again as usual. What you need to do there is play with the switch to see which position will give you the fullest cleanest bass....only your ears can tell. On mine it was the 180 (not 0) in 'my' room? You also want to spend a lot of time moving that sub around the room till you get a place where the bass is strong and the port noise is almost un-noticeable. That IS possible...I've done it.

As for the double base feature on the Onkyo that's a personal choice. Some people like that others don't...and some will tell you that you shouldn't run your fronts (ever) as Full range because they're not really FULL range or as full as the sub and freeing them of the lows brings more power and vibrancy to them? That's a debate that's ongoing.

cnh

silversubaru

Hi guys
Thanks for the replies and I appreciate the sort of laymans type responses as I am not that technically minded!
Something very strange happened tonight....We were on our way home from the movies and I complained to my wife that I havent been happy with the sound or bass reproduction from my system for about a month now. She pretty much agreed but couldnt add much as she isnt into it as much as I am!

Anyway, I put on something dancey with a good bass reproduction and I decided to turn the phase setting to 180 and I am so certain that the bass from the sub sounds deeper and stronger and it sounds and feels like it used to!

The question I have is why have I had to change the setting on the sub to get me back to the place where it always sounded good on 0? (its been like this for over 2 years)

It doesnt make much sense to me and I am hoping that you guys will have the answers!
Thanks
Daniel

silversubaru

Thanks but your comment doesnt really address the issue.

1.The bass reproduction on phase setting 0 was great.
2.About a month ago, it 'felt' as though the bass reproduction had gone a little flat
3. Switching the phase setting to 180 now gets me back to the same place I was with the setting on 0.

The room hasnt changed at all in terms of furniture or equipment placement.

The only change and this was about two months ago was changing my rear speakers from RTi4's to RTi8's.

apphd

Did you re-run an auto cal after changing the RTi4s?

silversubaru

Hi there. If you are referring to that Oddysey thingie, I have never used it.

TheMARPATNinja7

silversubaru wrote: »

Thanks but your comment doesnt really address the issue.

1.The bass reproduction on phase setting 0 was great.
2.About a month ago, it 'felt' as though the bass reproduction had gone a little flat
3. Switching the phase setting to 180 now gets me back to the same place I was with the setting on 0.

The room hasnt changed at all in terms of furniture or equipment placement.

The only change and this was about two months ago was changing my rear speakers from RTi4's to RTi8's.

Phase is one of those settings that is totally different for every person/room/sub. There is no recommended setting for phase because the midbass reproduction is different for everyones system. By the way, the point of a phase switch is to correctly match the midbass output from your speakers and your sub. The only way to figure this out is to turn it to 0, play a song listen for a second than turn it to 180, listen some more and choose your setting from what you hear. I have a PSW505 and it sounds weak and flat on 180 and much more powerful on 0. There is no right or wrong phase setting, so if 180 sounds the best for your situation than keep it there. Hope this helps.