Hello all,
I just ordered a new front 3 and would like some suggestion on set-up settings. This is my first 'real' HT set-up and although I've read a ton, I'm not sure I grasp it all. Help is greatly appreciated and I'll be as thorough as I can. The surrounds and sub I got for free and would like to hold off on upgrading for awhile, so don't knock them too much!
As far as listening style it's mostly movies, video games, and TV.
RECEIVER
Pioneer VSX-1020K
Surround System Class7.1 channel
Amplifier Output Details 110 Watt - 8 Ohm - THD 0.05 % - 7 channel(s) ( Surround )
Sound Output Mode Surround Sound
Built-in DecodersDolby Pro Logic IIx , Dolby Digital Plus , Dolby Digital ,DTS decoder ,DTS-HD Master Audio ,DTS-ES Matrix 6.1 ,DTS Neo:6 ,DTS-ES Discrete 6.1 ,Dolby Digital EX ,Dolby TrueHD , DTS 96/24
Surround Sound EffectsFront Stage Surround Advance
Digital Sound Processor (DSP) Yes
Response Bandwidth 20 - 20000 Hz
Signal-To-Noise Ratio 100 dB
Built-in Equalizer
FRONT 3
Polk Monitor70 Series II
Driver Units Tweeter Complement: one 1" cloth dome
Driver Complement: four 6.5" Bi-Laminate driver
Power Rating 20-275W
Frequency Response 30Hz-25kHz
Nominal Impedance 8 Ohm
Sensitivity 90db
Connectors Inputs: Dual (bi-amp) 5 way binding posts
Polk CS1 Series II
Driver Units Tweeter Complement: one 1" cloth dome
Driver Complement: two 5.25" Bi-Laminate driver
Power Rating 20-125W
Frequency Response 55Hz-25kHz
Nominal Impedance 8 Ohm
Sensitivity 89db
Connectors Inputs: 5 way binding posts
SURROUNDS
Bose Model 141
Max (RMS) Output Power 80 Watt
Recommended Amplifier Power 10 - 80 Watt
Nominal (RMS) Output Power 40 Watt
SUB
Infinity Alpha 1200S
500-watt RMS amp
12" front-firing driver
Frequency response 28-150 Hz (±3dB)
Continuously variable 50-150 Hz crossover
Phase switch
Line-level stereo RCA inputs with LFE/normal switch
As for the questions I'd like answered:
This may help: It's the back panel of my sub: http://www2.crutchfield.com.edgesuite.net/pix.crutchfield.com/ImageHandler/fixedscale/900/900/products/2002/108/x108A1200SC-b.jpeg
1.) Where should I set the SPEAKER crossover at on my receiver? My options are 50Hz, 80, 100, 150 or 200.
2.) What's the best way to hook the SUBWOOFER up? I have options for high level in and high level out but currently just have it hooked up through a coax cable. I've never seen the high level options for hook-up before.
2.) Where should I set the SUBWOOFER frequency at? My options are anywhere from 20 to 80.
3.) Where should I set the SUBWOOFER crossover at? My options are anywhere from 50-150.
4.) Where should I set the SUBWOOFER level at? My options are anywhere from -14 to 0.
5.) Where should I set the SUBWOOFER width at? My options are anywhere from 4.5 to 49.5.
6.) My SURROUNDS are currently set-up to the right and left of my couch facing each other. Is this recommended? I can tell my receiver they are either behind me or to my sides facing each other.
I just ran the auto-calibrate for my first set-up (don't have the new front 3 yet) with a few minor tweaks and it does sound good. However, I like optimization so if there's a more optimal way for set-up and tweaking (pending I can move speakers) I'd love to know. When I get the new front 3 I'll likely auto-calibrate again and see how it goes. I just have a feeling my crossovers will need to be tweaked.
THANK YOU everyone for your help. I know this is pretty noob-ish stuff but I appreciate bearing with me.
John
I just ordered a new front 3 and would like some suggestion on set-up settings. This is my first 'real' HT set-up and although I've read a ton, I'm not sure I grasp it all. Help is greatly appreciated and I'll be as thorough as I can. The surrounds and sub I got for free and would like to hold off on upgrading for awhile, so don't knock them too much!
As far as listening style it's mostly movies, video games, and TV.
RECEIVER
Pioneer VSX-1020K
Surround System Class7.1 channel
Amplifier Output Details 110 Watt - 8 Ohm - THD 0.05 % - 7 channel(s) ( Surround )
Sound Output Mode Surround Sound
Built-in DecodersDolby Pro Logic IIx , Dolby Digital Plus , Dolby Digital ,DTS decoder ,DTS-HD Master Audio ,DTS-ES Matrix 6.1 ,DTS Neo:6 ,DTS-ES Discrete 6.1 ,Dolby Digital EX ,Dolby TrueHD , DTS 96/24
Surround Sound EffectsFront Stage Surround Advance
Digital Sound Processor (DSP) Yes
Response Bandwidth 20 - 20000 Hz
Signal-To-Noise Ratio 100 dB
Built-in Equalizer
FRONT 3
Polk Monitor70 Series II
Driver Units Tweeter Complement: one 1" cloth dome
Driver Complement: four 6.5" Bi-Laminate driver
Power Rating 20-275W
Frequency Response 30Hz-25kHz
Nominal Impedance 8 Ohm
Sensitivity 90db
Connectors Inputs: Dual (bi-amp) 5 way binding posts
Polk CS1 Series II
Driver Units Tweeter Complement: one 1" cloth dome
Driver Complement: two 5.25" Bi-Laminate driver
Power Rating 20-125W
Frequency Response 55Hz-25kHz
Nominal Impedance 8 Ohm
Sensitivity 89db
Connectors Inputs: 5 way binding posts
SURROUNDS
Bose Model 141
Max (RMS) Output Power 80 Watt
Recommended Amplifier Power 10 - 80 Watt
Nominal (RMS) Output Power 40 Watt
SUB
Infinity Alpha 1200S
500-watt RMS amp
12" front-firing driver
Frequency response 28-150 Hz (±3dB)
Continuously variable 50-150 Hz crossover
Phase switch
Line-level stereo RCA inputs with LFE/normal switch
As for the questions I'd like answered:
This may help: It's the back panel of my sub: http://www2.crutchfield.com.edgesuite.net/pix.crutchfield.com/ImageHandler/fixedscale/900/900/products/2002/108/x108A1200SC-b.jpeg
1.) Where should I set the SPEAKER crossover at on my receiver? My options are 50Hz, 80, 100, 150 or 200.
2.) What's the best way to hook the SUBWOOFER up? I have options for high level in and high level out but currently just have it hooked up through a coax cable. I've never seen the high level options for hook-up before.
2.) Where should I set the SUBWOOFER frequency at? My options are anywhere from 20 to 80.
3.) Where should I set the SUBWOOFER crossover at? My options are anywhere from 50-150.
4.) Where should I set the SUBWOOFER level at? My options are anywhere from -14 to 0.
5.) Where should I set the SUBWOOFER width at? My options are anywhere from 4.5 to 49.5.
6.) My SURROUNDS are currently set-up to the right and left of my couch facing each other. Is this recommended? I can tell my receiver they are either behind me or to my sides facing each other.
I just ran the auto-calibrate for my first set-up (don't have the new front 3 yet) with a few minor tweaks and it does sound good. However, I like optimization so if there's a more optimal way for set-up and tweaking (pending I can move speakers) I'd love to know. When I get the new front 3 I'll likely auto-calibrate again and see how it goes. I just have a feeling my crossovers will need to be tweaked.
THANK YOU everyone for your help. I know this is pretty noob-ish stuff but I appreciate bearing with me.
John












