setting on av for speakers

This is what I'd recommend;

Set all of the speakers to small with sub=yes.

Running speakers at 'large' sends the entire frequency range to that speaker (20Hz-20KHz). None of the speakers you listed should really be ran with those lower frequencies, especially at higher volumes. I also have the CS400 - (for now ) and I have it set to small. I've tried both and the integration with the sub and the rest of the speakers works better with small. I also got some very, very slight distortion at higher volumes when I had it set to large.

Most sub-heads recommend putting two subs close together for the best bass response, although you'd have to experiment to see which actually sounds better in your room. Some have even stacked subs with good results.

You should follow the standard calibration as outlined in either Video Essentials or AVIA (or other calibration software). As far as the sub being set higher, that's really dependent on the capabilities of your sub. If it can handle 85-90db at close to reference volume, then I'd say do it.

I have an SVS 20-39 set to around 80db, which I find more than adequate for loud, slamming bass.

Hope this helps.

Troy

I rewspectfully disagree with the disagreement
It's not a matter of what the RT1000's or what the CS400 can take, it's about sub integration. Of course the 1000's and 400 can handle bass on their own, but they will never do as nicely as a good standalone sub. You don't lose anything if you keep the mains and center small, because the sub will easily take over for them in the low frequency region, provided you've calibrated your system properly of course.
Moreover, if you let your center and fronts to large, then basically your sub does nothing besides LFE channel during 5.1 movies. What a waste.

I would tend to agree with shumach's disagreement...the 1000s have a sub for a reason. Although not as powerful as the stand alone 12". So....my question is doesn't the subwoofer when set to ON automatically recieve a duplicate or pick up the LFE frequency of the mains, regardless of their setting? The reason I ask this is because I've listened to the 1000s coupled with a sub and found they still rocked with their woofers. I've also turned the sub out 'ON' and physically turned the actual sub 'OFF' and the 1000s produced LFE still.

But I would definatley say set center and surrounds to small.

It's not a matter of what the RT1000's or what the CS400 can take, it's about sub integration. Of course the 1000's and 400 can handle bass on their own, but they will never do as nicely as a good standalone sub. You don't lose anything if you keep the mains and center small, because the sub will easily take over for them in the low frequency region, provided you've calibrated your system properly of course.
Moreover, if you let your center and fronts to large, then basically your sub does nothing besides LFE channel during 5.1 movies. What a waste.

Exactly!

sgtgto,

Althought the RT1000s are rated from 36Hz-26kHz @ -3dB they aren't capable of sustaining that much bass energy for an extended period. Those specs are based on the manufacturer's laboratory testing which are not true to 'real-world' capabilities of a speaker. Typically you wouldn't even get close to the 36Hz in the RT1000s.

The CS400 is only rated from 50Hz-25kHz @ -3dB so you could really damage your center channel using bass material that's lower than the rated specs.

Troy, the distortion you are getting could be from your amp or receiver and not the fault of the speakers. That is usually the case.

Not the case, the distortion that I did experience was definitely caused from too much lower bass information being sent to the center channel speaker.

As I said in my first post, I've tried my speakers both ways and I didnt' get any distortion when they were set to small.

You lose a lot of that with it set to small.

This is absolutely not correct. If you have a subwoofer in your system and you've properly calibrated all of your speakers, you won't lose anything. You may gain a better overall, enveloping, integrated sound, but you won't lose any frequencies.

This will always be a matter of personal preference (as is the case with most HT issues when it comes to setup) and I made that clear in my first post "I'd recommend...". There's a very, very great thread about this same issue going on over at The Home Theater Forum which also has links to a couple of other threads. Some good information and knowledge being shared.

Lastly, THXs specification for it's THX surround mode calls for all speakers set to small and sub=yes. That's how the professional's do it.

Troy