[crazy1mg]

I recently purchased a new system consisting of


BA VR2's Main

BA CR57 Surround

BA VRC Center

Velodyne DSP-10 Sub


and a ONKYO 504 for my receiver


My question since I'm fairly new to all this is what frequency should I set the crossover for ? I currently have it set at 120 because thats what the manual said for 4 1/2" speakers as the smallest in the setup. Is this correct? Thanks in advance

 

[buckeyetc]

vr2's are full range tower speakers with response down to about 40-50hz. I would recommend setting the subwoofer x-over at 60-80hz.

 

[dsmith901]

The THX standard is 80 Hz, but only if your speakers are rated at that level or lower.

 

[crazy1mg]

If I understand right the 504 uses the crossover for all speakers? So will it still be safe to set it at 80? Thank you for the quick responses.

 

[Goalier95]

crazy1mg,


I got the TX-SR504 last night and got everything hooked up to my 7.1 Polks sats, when you configured the speaker levels, did you use an SPL Meter? I heard all the test zones coming out of every speaker properly but they were all very "low" sounding and it couldn't even register on the SPL Meter. Otherwise the receiver sounds great matched up to the Polks.


I also have my crossover setting at 120Hz because the drivers in my speakers are 3-1/2"... I'm confused too.

 

[crazy1mg]

I did not use an SPL meter in setting the levels, as I said I am very new to this. I have never set a crossover on a home theatre. I've used them in car audio, but since this is for all the speakers and not just the sub I am confused. The receiver sounds great I love the sound from the VR2's. This is the first time I have ever purchased a system by piece.

 

[crazy1mg]

anybody?

 

[Bob Pariseau]



Quote:
Originally Posted by crazy1mg /forum/post/0


anybody?

For now, set the cross-over in the receiver to 80Hz, and identify all of your main speakers to the receiver as being "small".


If you have the subwoofer connected to the Subwoofer/LFE output of the receiver then either disable the cross-over control in the subwoofer itself, or turn it up to the highest possible frequency.


The receiver will use the cross-over setting to "roll off" the frequencies it sends to your so-called "small" main speakers, so that they are not trying to struggle to produce low bass, and will "roll on" the frequencies it sends to the subwoofer for the same reason. The bass that isn't going to your "small" speakers will be redirected or "steered" by the receiver to your subwoofer so you won't lose anything.


You disable the subwoofer's own cross-over to keep this filtering from being done TWICE for the signals sent to the subwoofer.


That's a starting point.


Next, get a Sound Pressure Level meter (the one everyone uses is sold by Radio Shack and is quite inexpensive), and a calibration DVD such as Avia or Digital Video Essentials (DVE). Using any test tones generated by the receiver, and/or the audio tests in the calibration DVD, first balance the volume levels for all of our speakers -- including the subwoofer. This is done using the receiver's controls, with possibly the aid of the volume knob on the subwoofer. This is the single most important thing that you have to do, and it is much easier to do it accurately with an SPL meter.


You will likely also be asked to specify the distance from each speaker to your listening position.


Having done that, then NOW you can worry about cross over settings. The calibration DVDs come with instructions that will help you get a handle on this.

--Bob

 

[crazy1mg]

Thank you for all your help, I really appreciate it!

 

[noka]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Pariseau /forum/post/0


... first balance the volume levels for all of our speakers ...You will likely also be asked to specify the distance from each speaker to your listening position. ...

I'm curious about how critical the speaker level and distance settings are. My living room, like others I am sure, can accomodate a few people watching a movie but they don't all sit in the "perfect calibrated" position. That's also true in a movie theater (i.e. speaker distance is quite different for many people). Could you enhance my understanding of these concepts?

 

[Bob Pariseau]



Quote:
Originally Posted by noka /forum/post/0


I'm curious about how critical the speaker level and distance settings are. My living room, like others I am sure, can accomodate a few people watching a movie but they don't all sit in the "perfect calibrated" position. That's also true in a movie theater (i.e. speaker distance is quite different for many people). Could you enhance my understanding of these concepts?

Room treatment can help balance the volumes, but despite that you might want to try a "compromise" set of volumes that is not ideal for any given listening position but works well for most.


Dipole speakers for surrounds also help if some people are going to be sitting too close to any of the surround speakers.


For the distance stuff, set things up for your primary listening position. That will work "well enough" for others. Again dipole surrounds work better if people are going to be close to them. They work by reflecting the sound off the room, so the "distance" measurement is not really relevant for them.

--Bob

 

[noka]

Bob, thanks for the comments. Unfortunately, the speakers I am interested in (Orb Mod-2) are not dipole. Well, it will be a challenging exercize to make everything work together, given some of the contraints I'm under.

By the way, I know many people use the RS analog SPL meter. They have a digital meter for not much more. Seems like it would be easier to take a reading with the digital. Any thoughts on that?