In cubic feet...

What's considered a small room? Upto what size?
What's considered a medium room? From what to what?
What's considered a large room? From what and beyond...

I don't think there are definitive answers to those questions.

I don't think there are definitive answers to those questions.

That does not stop posters giving advice with respect to small/medium/large rooms, whatever size they may be :p

I was just looking for rough estimates.

There is really no such thing as a "small" or "large" room size. The design and properties of the room can have far more effect on the sound quality than the specific number of cubic feet. A room with 8' ceilings with wood floors and plaster walls has very different properties than another room with carpeting, drywall, and an 18' vaulted ceiling.

That said, at least as far as subwoofers go, you're generally looking at larger subs, or multiple smaller subs, once you exceed 3000 cubic feet. However, again, that is a generalization -- for some rooms with 3500 cubic feet, a single 12" subwoofer may be adequate, while for others, two 10" or two 12" subs may be highly desirable.

Whats the reasoning behind having a setting in a receiver for small, medium, large when concerning room size?

Whats the reasoning behind having a setting in a receiver for small, medium, large when concerning room size?

That looks like some sort of sound processing setting. Can you give the make and model? What if anything does the owner's manual say?

That looks like some sort of sound processing setting. Can you give the make and model? What if anything does the owner's manual say?

It's a Pio 515

The manual says on page 11

5. Use the MULTI JOG dial to choose your room size. Depending on the distance of your speakers from the listening position, choose between small, medium, or large (S,M or L),M being an average-sized room.

Whats the reasoning behind having a setting in a receiver for small, medium, large when concerning room size?Most receivers let you set the distance in feet.

I would consult your Pioneer's manual further to see if it specifies distances for those settings. This is a Pioneer-specific thing, not an industry standard.

Most receivers let you set the distance in feet.

I would consult your Pioneer's manual further to see if it specifies distances for those settings. This is a Pioneer-specific thing, not an industry standard.

I can set each speaker distance in feet and have done so.

I can set each speaker distance in feet and have done so.In other receivers, the large and small settings have nothing to do with the room size, but rather the bass management. In other receivers, a setting of "large" means that lower frequencies will be sent to the respective channels for reproduction; in contrast, a setting of "small" means that the lower frequencies will be sent to the subwoofer for reproduction. Generally, the setting of "small" is preferred unless you have large tower speakers with built-in subwoofers. I have not seen an option for "medium" before.

Does your receiver have another setting for "large" and "small"? If not, the setting in question is probably that above.

Does your receiver have another setting for "large" and "small"? If not, the setting in question is probably that above.

Yes it does, for each speaker. I've set them all to small.

I have a Yamaha receiver that has a similar room size setting under the Basic settings, which is just used for a quick set-up. It automatically sets speaker sizes, distances, etc. Under the Advanced setup menu are the actual settings for speaker sizes, distances, etc. If you make changes in the Advanced settings it ignores anything set in the Basic setup. I'm guessing your receiver is similar and once you adjust any of the speaker settings the room size gets ignored.

I'm guessing your receiver is similar and once you adjust any of the speaker settings the room size gets ignored.

Yah, I tried both ways, "quick setup" in the receiver using s,m,l and manual setup. quick setup uses preset distances for the speakers.

With subs I have always considered these for room size:

<2500 cubic ft = Small
2500-3500 cubic feet = Medium
>3500 cubic feet = Large

I finally got around to reading the on line version of your owner's manual. Pioneer requires one to register first.

The reference to room size is the easy setup is a sort of categorical way of referring to the distance from the speakers to the listening position.

The advanced setup should override that. I would suggest sticking with the advanced setup and a tape measure.

Room volume is is important in selecting a subwoofer, and the ranges given by Mr. Cracky seem about right.

The advanced setup should override that. I would suggest sticking with the advanced setup and a tape measure.

That's what I've done.