Crossover basics.

[2Sunny]

An article I just read suggested variable crossover settings. If one follows this advice does one then leave the subwoofer setting on the receiver to LFE - ON or does the sub crossover now need to be set at the highest speaker setting?

In my case I'm thinking that my heights should be set to 150Hz so do I then set my subs to 150 also or leave them in LFE because the receiver will decide what sounds to send to the subs?

Tips for Setting the Proper Crossover Freq

The numbers below highlight general guidelines for speaker/subwoofer crossover frequencies

• On-wall or Compact satellite speakers: 150-200 Hz.
• Small center, surround, bookshelf: 100-120 Hz.
• Mid-size center, surround, bookshelf: 80-100 Hz.
• Large center, surround and bookshelf: 60-80 Hz.
• Very large center, surround, bookshelf: 40-60 Hz.
• Tower speakers with 4”-6” woofers: 60 Hz.
• Tower speakers with 8”-10” woofers: 40 Hz or Large/Full-Band (i.e., full-range).

 

[kyuu]

Tips for Setting the Proper Crossover Frequency of a Subwoofer

Looks like you have a copy/paste error here on your URL, link doesn't work.

It's much better to use actual measurements of your speakers' in-room response to determine crossovers. Failing that, at least the manufacturer's specs. Unfortunately, Klipsch declines to publish any sort of frequency response for the 500SA. I would say assume a 120Hz crossover for those. I don't recommend higher as then bass that should be in that channel might be localizable to the subwoofer's location instead. A slight hole in the response would likely be less objectionable, IMO, but YMMV.

For the SVS Prime Elevation, the spec'd F3 is 55Hz. Given that it's ported, safe to assume the response falls off a cliff after that so could probably assume an F10 of ~45Hz. Rule of thumb is to have useful response (so F10) at least an octave below the crossover point. So should be safe to set the crossover for those at 90Hz.

 

[2Sunny]

Looks like you have a copy/paste error here on your URL, link doesn't work.

It's much better to use actual measurements of your speakers' in-room response to determine crossovers. Failing that, at least the manufacturer's specs. Unfortunately, Klipsch declines to publish any sort of frequency response for the 500SA. I would say assume a 120Hz crossover for those. I don't recommend higher as then bass that should be in that channel might be localizable to the subwoofer's location instead. A slight hole in the response would likely be less objectionable, IMO, but YMMV.

For the SVS Prime Elevation, the spec'd F3 is 55Hz. Given that it's ported, safe to assume the response falls off a cliff after that so could probably assume an F10 of ~45Hz. Rule of thumb is to have useful response (so F10) at least an octave below the crossover point. So should be safe to set the crossover for those at 90Hz.

You're likely correct in that it was a copy/paste error. Anyways here's the link: Tips for Setting Crossovers

But, thanks for the tips. Like you I did try to look up the info for Klipsch and found nada. Wonder why? Anyways, thanks!

 

[Keith_W]

Do you listen to your Klipsch height speakers on their own? I am guessing you listen to them with your Revels. According to this thread (which links to Erin's Audio Corner), the FR of the Revel F226Be is:

As you can see, it starts to roll off at 80Hz. Maybe you're getting more, maybe less, it all depends on your room. So your sub should be set about 60Hz or so. But as @kyuu says, you need to measure your in-room response.

I would never set subs up any higher than 80Hz. Even at 80Hz, they are directional (don't forget harmonic distortion will produce upper harmonics which will reveal the position of the sub). And if you are going to set them up at 100-120Hz, they absolutely need to be on either side of the main speakers, otherwise you will hear them as a separate source.

My suggestion: measure the current in-room. That will reveal any problems that you have in your room, then place your subs where they will remove any holes in your bass. This requires some experimentation.

 

[Chrispy]

An article I just read suggested variable crossover settings. If one follows this advice does one then leave the subwoofer setting on the receiver to LFE - ON or does the sub crossover now need to be set at the highest speaker setting?

In my case I'm thinking that my heights should be set to 150Hz so do I then set my subs to 150 also or leave them in LFE because the receiver will decide what sounds to send to the subs?

Tips for Setting the Proper Crossover Freq

Generally you don't want to combine filters (cascade them), so use the filters in the avr and get the one in the sub out of the way. Not sure what you mean by set your subs when setting a crossover.....the crossover is that between your speaker and sub for that particular channel.

 

[Oddball]

Some do cascade filters to get a steeper roll-off (sub low pass, AVR crossover, additional room EQ system filters) but as you note theoretically better to have single filter do the job. Since multi channel material has LFE that is coded up to 120hz, it is probably better to have 2 channel and multi-channel presets with different crossovers if gear allows it.

I agree that 120hz is too high for 2 channel music with towers like 226, but then with 80hz crossover for HT there could be a significant loss of content (depending on the mix).

 

[2Sunny]

This what I have set today:

 

[2Sunny]

Sorry if this is slightly annoying because it's so basic, but am I correct that with LFE turned to ON on the SVS subs and Low Pass Filter turned ON on the Sony receiver the individual crossovers set on the receiver are working? Assuming the settings above, is it correct that signals sent to the Front that are below 40 Hz will be sent to the sub instead and signals below 200 Hz sent to the Heights will instead be sent to the subs?


But what then happens when the Low Pass Filter is set to OFF on the receiver and LFE is set to OFF on the subs and then lets say the sub crossover is set to 80 Hz? How does the receiver determine what to send to the subs? Does the receiver just send everything from every speakers to the sub and let the subs crossover point decide what to play?

 

[Oddball]

Low pass filter on the AVR is part of the crossover. The other half is high pass filter to the relevant speakers. They work as a pair to provide hopefully smooth transition between the speakers and the subs. They are also not brick walls but slopes. Not sure what the slopes are on Sony, this is how 80hz crossover looks on Marantz AV-10 (and the link to source that explains a bit more):

Marantz AV 10 15.4CH 8K AV Processor Review!

The Marantz AV 10 15.4CH 8K AV Processor excelled in bench & listening tests. With unique bass management & room correction features, it's unmatched at its price. Long-term testing confirms its AV prowess.

www.audioholics.com

Separate from that are the AVR LFE settings where you can cut off the LFE response at certain points, again will be a slope, not brick wall. LFE is spect to 120hz, so most keep it there. I roll it off at 100hz as it adds clarity to the system.

Subs have low pass input filter that can work on top of what you set in the AVR. Generally the use case is for the gear that does not have bass management like AVRs or if people want to cascade filters.

Separately from all of the above, you can change the way crossovers will work with adding house curves or PEQ via room correction system for specific channels, if that is supported by AVR/room correction.

 

[Keith_W]

Sorry if this is slightly annoying because it's so basic, but am I correct that with LFE turned to ON on the SVS subs and Low Pass Filter turned ON on the Sony receiver the individual crossovers set on the receiver are working? Assuming the settings above, is it correct that signals sent to the Front that are below 40 Hz will be sent to the sub instead and signals below 200 Hz sent to the Heights will instead be sent to the subs?

If the low-pass on the sub is ON, and the low-pass on the AVR is ON, then you are cascading two low-pass filters. If you have two 2nd order filters in series, you will get a 4th order filter.

But what then happens when the Low Pass Filter is set to OFF on the receiver and LFE is set to OFF on the subs and then lets say the sub crossover is set to 80 Hz? How does the receiver determine what to send to the subs? Does the receiver just send everything from every speakers to the sub and let the subs crossover point decide what to play?

In this case the AVR sends full range signal to the subs (you need to check your AVR's manual in case it does something different) and the LPF on the sub takes care of the rest.

 

[2Sunny]

If the low-pass on the sub is ON, and the low-pass on the AVR is ON, then you are cascading two low-pass filters. If you have two 2nd order filters in series, you will get a 4th order filter.



In this case the AVR sends full range signal to the subs (you need to check your AVR's manual in case it does something different) and the LPF on the sub takes care of the rest.

Thanks for that. Made me realize I was phrasing the question wrong, but you gave me the answer I was looking for. Thanks.

What I meant to ask was should I have the SVS sub app set to Low Pass Filter OFF (LFE ACTIVE) when the AVR is set to Low Pass Filter ON. I was making it more confusing than needed by talking about having LFE ON on the sub which isn't really a setting per se. Anywhooo . . . thanks again.

Now to go play around with the crossover settings to see if I notice any difference