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Another Sub Q: Is my sub mismatched with speakers?

I have floorstanding speakers that go from 35Hz on up. I have a subwoofer that the lowest it will crossover is 50Hz. Are my speakers and subwoofer competing at some of the same frequencies? I read that the subwoofer should start crossing over at about 5Hz below the lowest the mains will go. In other words, my sub should be crossing over at 30Hz to match up better with my mains, right?

Am I nuts here?
matchstikman
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
Maybe...What sub do you have??

Some brands of subs have a crossover device where the device is suppose to cut off the bass signal to the main speakers, so only the sub plays those low frequencies?? That may explain the 50hz lowest setting. Or it might be an HT sub where the HT receiver should be adjusted.

The lowest setting on my sub(s) is 22Hz.
sean
6,231 posts
 
What do your ears tell you ? Is the bass slow and heavy, bloated and one note or is it quick, clean and authorative or slightly soft and rounded ? Chances are that regardless of what you are hearing now, it can be improved with some work.

Much of where a sub is crossed over will have to do with the actual in-room frequency response of the main speakers, the rate of slope used in the crossover itself, the design of the sub ( sealed, vented, etc... ) and the distance that one places the sub(s) from the mains.

The bottom line is to experiment with your set-up and see where you end up at. Most of the time, it is best to try and situate the sub near the mains if at all possible. This might not produce the greatest level of output or the deepest bass possible, but the ability to "blend" with the mains in a more natural manner will be increased. When properly adjusted, one should not be able to tell that there is a sub running in the system. The only thing that a sub should give you is the potential for greater low frequency extension at higher levels. That is, when the recording calls for such. If your "sub" is playing along with every song and its' contribution to the music is very noticeable on a regular basis, the chances are, you are using it more as a "woofer" than a "SUB-woofer". Sean
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sogood51
2,157 posts
 
Find the point where your speakers start to roll off their bass, maybe the point where they are down 3db. and cross over at a point above this. Some overlap between the mains and sub will sound best, find this by listening. Subs work best for music if they are near the mains and I have found that is somewere between the mains in most cases but not all cases. Get a cheap rat shack spl meter (nice to have anyway) and a must for hometheater.
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