High Pass Filter on Parasound Model 2250

mguevarra61

Question. Should I leave the setting at the Flat Level or should I do 20 HZ? I rarely play my music loud, the majority of it being film scores anyway. Any info on this?

billbillw

That filter is to eliminate low frequency rumble that can come from turntables. These are inaudible sounds that can wreak havoc on some amp circuits and/or speakers. If you aren't listening to a turntable, leave it off (flat).

NewHTguy

From the owner's manual page 4.

High Pass Filter Switch
The High Pass filter can improve the sound in virtually any installation. It’s called a “high pass” filter because it permits signals higher than 20 Hz and 40 Hz to pass, while preventing signals below these frequencies from passing.
- The Flat switch position disconnects the filter and the 2250’s frequency response is flat.
- The 20 Hz switch position filters out frequencies below 20 Hz. Your speakers have greater dynamic range and far less distortion when they don’t receive frequencies which are lower than they can reproduce. Likewise, the 2250 operates more efficiently when it’s not called upon to amplify frequencies which the speakers can’t reproduce. Because the 20 Hz filter has a steep 18 dB per octave slope, it is essentially a sub-sonic filter, and you probably won’t notice any loss of bass unless you’re using very large speakers.
- The 40 Hz switch position filters bass below 40 Hz at 18 dB per octave. This is ideal when the 275 is driving in-wall or in-ceiling speakers because very few of them can reproduce very much bass below 40 Hz. You’ll enjoy much cleaner sound and higher undistorted volume levels. Not having to amplify bass that’s inaudible with your speakers is another way the 275 will run cooler.