2. speakers
  3. 164263-28080

Subwoofer xover settings for KEF LS50W (orig model)

Yes I did search and did not see much. I figures others have done this so I'd simply ask as see if anyoen has advice. The LS50W go quite a bit lower than the regular LS50s so I'm thinking of setting the low pass xover at maybe 50hz. But I can high pass as well thru the KEFs. So I figured I'd ask here what other have done with these active speakers in terms of a low and high pass settings. Looks like KEF defaults to just a low pass 80hz which seems high. 

Also I plan to use the sub settings via the KEP app but could obviously do much of this via the REL B1 sub as well. Thx
jbs
jbs OP
92 posts
 
Thx guys, 

Do you run the LS50W full range or set the KEF high pass close to where the low pass is set? 
audiorusty
270 posts
 
Set the low and high pass filters the same then tweak to your taste.
canibefrank
406 posts
 
i run all program to my sub which paasses everything above 80Hz to the bookshelf speakers which are run full range
james633
1,006 posts
 
Always high pass the speakers if possible. Once you high pass you can set the crossover anywhere you want and it will sound fine. 
A good spot is where the driver starts to take a dive and it would be crossed over to the next larger driver if there were one (in this case where the port pics up). The driver is down 5db by 70 hz on the ls50 but has flat output to 100. Somewhere between 70-100 is the right spot. Just have to see if how the quality of the sub is. I have large floor standing speakers with 8” drivers and cross over at 60z. I don’t here much difference going from 50-70 with a high pass.

With just a low pass it sounds pretty bad to me. Timing is off and it sounds best with the low pass just above my speakers lowest output (low passed at 40z and my speakers go to about 30hz) with a 24db roll off. 
jbs OP
92 posts
 
Just a follow up. I set the high pass at 70hz and low pass at 60hz after much listening and measuring (test CD&SPL meter). The ls50w goes to lower frequencies than the passive ls50s. Confirmed with measurements. I had excess dB right around 60-70hz and ended up with the above settings to help best I could. Thx for the advice here. 
More to discover