Home theater crossover question

Thanks for all the responses. My speakers are Infinity TSS-1100s (5 small 2-way speakers and the sub). Infinity recommends a subwoofer crossover setting of 120hz-150hz for the setup, so I reset all speakers to crossover at 120hz. Javachip and Kr4, the small speakers are rated at 125 watts and the self-powered sub at 250 watts, so I guess they can handle lower crossover settings. I may experiment with 80hz and see if it improves midrange response for CDs (2-channel system is off to listening room).

I think my original question has been answered; at 200hz for the front speakers and based on the sub's frequency response, I would lose part of the audio spectrum.

Yeah, what Kr4 said...

I looked at the specs for the Infinity TSS-1100 satellite/subwoofer system, and now I do agree with Kal. Leave the crossover for the front left and right speakers at 200 Hz, if that is what the receiver selected in the auto-configuration. The twin 3.5" woofers in each of the satellites are in danger of getting blown by excess bass energy, regardless of their rated power handling. Also leave the subwoofer crossover where the receiver selected, since as Kal points out, that only pertains to the bass re-directed from the satellites, not to the LFE channel. You will not be missing any part of the audio range.

To recap, the subwoofer will not be damaged by too high a crossover, although the sound quality may suffer. The satellites WILL be damaged by too low a crossover. Just place the subwoofer as close to the front satellites as possible (ideally right between them) and the subwoofer should sonically blend in with the satellites fairly well, especially since you indicate that you do your 2 channel music listening on a different system.

After digesting all of the advice, I compromised and set all crossovers to 150hz. Movies sound great and CDs sound about as good as I can get them to sound with this system, good enough for occasional listening. I still have my 2-channel system for dedicated CD listening. Thanks, everybody.

"I looked at the specs for the Infinity TSS-1100 satellite/subwoofer system, and now I do agree with Kal. Leave the crossover for the front left and right speakers at 200 Hz, if that is what the receiver selected in the auto-configuration"

I dissagree here. It all depends. I'd see where you can get them setup for a solid sound and frequency response first. Then find out where they start falling off, response-wise. If they play well down to a lower point, I'd cross em over down lower if I could. I've had those speakers, as well as the little TSS-750's, and those speakers are pretty dynamic, and handle power well down lower than 200hz from my recollection. I'd try to get em down closer to 120hz range - or if possible, 100hz regioun - if you can get em to couple well with the room. If you can't, than, fine, higher up. The drivers are good, and the sealed cabinet helps control the little drivers, and two woofers also helps cancel out audible distortion.
Read the reviews - even on the smaller ones - and you'll find the reviewers commenting on how dynamic they are, comparatively speaking.
Anyway, tinker and find out what you come up with. With good amplification, crossing over 100hz and above, making sure they are coupling well in the room with your seating positions for strong response compared to the rest of the spectrum, making sure your sub is anchored near the sats, and strong at the crossover point as well, and you should have nothing but well balanced, full dyanamic sound, with no audible distortion.
Still, results vary - even with experience levles - so see what you can come up with. If it where me, I don't see a scenario where I'd be asking my sub to play that high, not the sats that high either.
good luck