I plan to use two subs in my setup. One is an 8" sub that comes with the satellites I'm using (Orb Audio) and I would also like to add an SVS 16-39pci for LFE.

How do I setup the smaller sub to handle the midbass only? Will I need some sort of low pass cutoff (exuse my terminology if not correct :o )?

I had planned to disable the crossovers in the subs and set the AVR's sub-out to 120hz, then split the signal to both woofers. I'm at a loss as to how to set the two different crossover points for the subs. The SVS looks to roll-off naturally around 75hz. Is it not desirable to keep the 8" sub out of this region? How do I have the 8" operate in the 120hz and up and the SVS operate below 120hz ?

Sorry if this sounds confusing but I'm trying to get a handle on all of this. If someone has any suggestions or a better idea please, save me from myself :) .

Thanks

I had planned to disable the crossovers in the subs and set the AVR's sub-out to 120hz, then split the signal to both woofers.

How do I setup the smaller sub to handle the midbass only? Will I need some sort of low pass cutoff (exuse my terminology if not correct :o )?

How do I have the 8" operate in the 120hz and up and the SVS operate below 120hz?
Theoretically, what you are proposing is the correct way to utilize 2 subs with disparate capabilities, especially with small satellites. If the 2 subs are simply connected to an AVR's subwoofer output and allowed to operate over their full range, then calibrating them becomes problematic as the 2 sub's output will overlap over a particular range, but the more capable sub will only operate at the lower end of the range. So, calibrating over the range that both subs operate, will result in output that is too low at the lower end, where only the larger, more capable subwoofer is operating. This is obviously not desirable.

But, there is no easy way to do what you propose. Yes, to do it right, at the very least, you'd need a high-pass filter on the smaller sub - preferably one that's adjustable - in order to limit it's output below a certain frequency. And you would probably want to use the larger sub's built-in crossover (which is really a low-pass filter) to limit its output above a certain frequency. And, btw, if your receiver's crossover is set to 120Hz, then "120Hz and up" is obviously not the correct range for the smaller sub. What you want is for the Orb sub to cover the range form ~75Hz (where you say the SVS rolls-off) to 120Hz (where you have the receiver's crossover set).

But, as I said, doing what you are proposing is not an easy thing to accomplish correctly. My advice would be to only use one sub which would obviously be the very capable 16-46. However, I understand your concern about covering those frequencies between where the SVS rolls-off (which you say is ~75Hz) and the low-end capability of your satellites.

I don't know what the low-end capabilities of your Orb satellites or your Orb subwoofer are, nor what the subwoofer's connection capabilitites are, but you may be able to set your receiver to a low crossover setting (as close to the Orb sub's low-end capability as possible), connect the Orb sub to either the front speaker outputs (if it has speaker-level inputs) or your receiver's pre-outs (if it has them), and still run your front speakers as SMALL, which would allow you to use your Orb subwoofer to operate in the range between the receiver's lowered crossover setting and the satellites' low-end capabilities.

What are the respective low-end capabilities of your Orb satellites and the Orb subwoofer?

You may want to contact SVS to see how they might recommend using your satellites and the smaller sub in conjunction with the 16-46.

Thanks very much for your response. The Orb satellites are listed at 80Hz-20,000Hz with 120Hz-18,000Hz listed as being optimal (don't know if I believe that since they are only 4" drivers). The 8" Orb Sub is listed at 28Hz-180Hz., with an adjustable crossover at 40-160hz.

As you mentioned, ideally I would like to operate the Orb sub in the ~75-125hz region and have the SVS operate at everything below that. You mentioned a "High Pass filter" to limit the Orbs output below a certain frequency. Is this filter something that can be obtained from an external device (pre-amp processor etc.), or is it something that would need to be included in the design of the sub itself?

As I have yet to receive my AVR (Pioneer 94TXH), I am not sure about the specifics of it's speaker management settings.

At least it sounds like I'm on the right track. I'll contact SVS and do some more digging. Thanks again for your feedback.

Edit: Wondering if something like THIS (http://www.audioc.com/accessories1/misc/hipass.htm) may be something I could use?

Edit: Wondering if something like THIS (http://www.audioc.com/accessories1/misc/hipass.htm) may be something I could use?
You could use something like that, but ideally you'd want something that's adjustable; both the crossover point and the slope. If you try something like that, I'd order at least a couple of crossover values that you base upon the SVS's ~75Hz roll-off. The 65Hz and 85Hz choices that ACI is offering seem like reasonable values to try, as they straddle the ~75Hz roll-off of the SVS, but they DO have a pretty shallow slope. And you really don't need a pair, so maybe (but doubtful) they will sell you one of each. There are other sources that have more available crossover values and slopes, too.

F-MODS (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-KmVnazg8YII/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?g=82600&I=069900062), for example. And there are ways to combine 2 filters at once to alter the crossover value and the slopes, but I think some sort of attenuator must be used between the 2 filters. Do a search on "F-Mods" to find some more info. I think that these are very often used in car stereo applications.

Again, I'd run this by SVS's customer service, making sure they understand your situation exactly. I'm sure you're not the only one who has tried to pair small satellites which have a relatively high low-end capability with the 16-46 which has a relatively low high-end capability.

Thanks for the link. I was unaware Crutchfield would have something like this but I'm sure they are common in car audio. ACI is going to send me one of each, a 65hz & 85hz. I agree the slope is pretty shallow, so I'm going to try some of the F-MODS also. HERE (https://svsound.com/products-sub-cyl-pcpow2.cfm#curve) is the freq curve of the SVS. They list it at +/- 3 dB 20 Hz-100 Hz. Based on the chart, what freq. would you suggest I try with the F-MODS? I figured the 70hz hi pass would be OK.

If I did set my AVR's sub-out at 120hz, split the feed with a y-adapter with one side going into the hi pass filter and then the Orb sub. I assume I would disable the crossover in the Orb. What about the crossover in the SVS (40-120hz)? Would I set it at about 75hz or disable it and just let it roll off naturally?

I will take your suggestion and see what SVS has to say about the configuration also.

Again thanks for the info.

They list it at +/- 3 dB 20 Hz-100 Hz. Based on the chart, what freq. would you suggest I try with the F-MODS? I figured the 70hz hi pass would be OK.

If I did set my AVR's sub-out at 120hz, split the feed with a y-adapter with one side going into the hi pass filter and then the Orb sub. I assume I would disable the crossover in the Orb. What about the crossover in the SVS (40-120hz)? Would I set it at about 75hz or disable it and just let it roll off naturally?
You seem pretty knowledgable. Honestly, you're in uncharted waters for me. Experimenting would be de rigueur in this instance. I would think that using the SVS's adjustable low-pass filter (its xover) could be very useful as it may be the only thing that's adjustable in your scheme.

Again, I think that setting the receiver to, say, for example, a 40Hz crossover setting, connecting the Orb sub to your front speaker pre-outs (or front speaker high-level outputs), and running your speakers as SMALL could be a useful endeavor. The Orb sub in this instance would cover the range from 40Hz and up to the satellites' low-end capability and could be further adjusted to do so by using its low-pass filter (its xover). The SVS would cover the range below 40Hz and could also be adjusted with its low-pass filter. Those frequencies between 40Hz and the satellites' low-end cutoff from the center and surround channels would be "lost" in this scenario, though, unless your receiver offers individual xover settings for each speaker set.

And again, ask SVS what they think. They may also be able to sell you some sort of crossover, too.

HSU offers THIS (http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/high-end-crossover.html) gizmo which you could use a bit differently from the way it is intended to be used. But this is a bit pricey for what you are trying to do as inexpensively as is possible. HSU also makes THIS (http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/mbm-12.html) "subwoofer" specifically for covering the mid-bass region. You may want to read up on its exact implementation to see if you can get any ideas about setting up what you are trying to do which is, essentially, the same thing.

sivadselim, thanks for the additional links. Your suggestions are good one's and I definitely have more to go on now. I'm pretty sure I won't have this ironed out completely without much trial and error. But I have enough leads to go on now and am confident I'll eventually get the implementation right, thanks to your input.

And I'm no expert.... but I did sleep at a Holiday Inn Express :D .

Regards