Get an exclusive sneak peek into our new project. >>> Click Here
Our native mobile app has a new name: Fora Communities. Learn more.

Need advice after adding new speakers

369 Views 5 Replies 4 Participants Last post by Jakeman02, May 13, 2006

Jakeman02

Discussion Starter · May 12, 2006

Didn't know where to post this because it could have something to do with the receiver, subwoofer, speakers or all of the above combined.

I've been building a system piece by piece. Started with the sub Athena AS-P4000. Yes I got the sub first, It was on sale. Then the receiver Pioneer VSX-516. Until I was able to get the speakers I wanted I used the L-C-R from an Onkyo HT-S580 HTIB I had which gave me a 3.1 setup. I set everything up and sounding well together. I used this setup for about a month.

Setup is: Speakers - Small, Crossover at 100, Receiver Speaker Levels for speakers and sub set Flat and 0, Crossover on Sub set to highest point and sub volume control around 3.5 - tweaked between 3 and 4 but 3.5 seemed to be the sweet spot for use with both Video and Music.

I received the Athena Point 5 system a few days go. Hooked them up and WOW. I'm still using a 3.1 setup, haven't got the surrounds wired yet.

Now for my question. When I started using the new speakers I noticed a major decrease in the subwoofer output level. I'm thinking this is because the Point 5s are more efficient speakers. I found that I don't have to turn the volume level as high to get the same overall output level from the speakers, except for the subwoofer. So far after bumping the sub level in the receiver to + 5 and the level on the subwoofer itself to 6 I'm still not getting the same base response I had before. That to me is a MAJOR adjustment increase after tweaking and I'm wondering if this is normal or if I should try something else. Any Thoughts or Ideas?

Save

Status: Not open for further replies.

1 - 6 of 6 Posts

petergaryr

· #2 · May 12, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jakeman02
Didn't know where to post this because it could have something to do with the receiver, subwoofer, speakers or all of the above combined.

I've been building a system piece by piece. Started with the sub Athena AS-P4000. Yes I got the sub first, It was on sale. Then the receiver Pioneer VSX-516. Until I was able to get the speakers I wanted I used the L-C-R from an Onkyo HT-S580 HTIB I had which gave me a 3.1 setup. I set everything up and sounding well together. I used this setup for about a month.

Setup is: Speakers - Small, Crossover at 100, Receiver Speaker Levels for speakers and sub set Flat and 0, Crossover on Sub set to highest point and sub volume control around 3.5 - tweaked between 3 and 4 but 3.5 seemed to be the sweet spot for use with both Video and Music.

I received the Athena Point 5 system a few days go. Hooked them up and WOW. I'm still using a 3.1 setup, haven't got the surrounds wired yet.

Now for my question. When I started using the new speakers I noticed a major decrease in the subwoofer output level. I'm thinking this is because the Point 5s are more efficient speakers. I found that I don't have to turn the volume level as high to get the same overall output level from the speakers, except for the subwoofer. So far after bumping the sub level in the receiver to + 5 and the level on the subwoofer itself to 6 I'm still not getting the same base response I had before. That to me is a MAJOR adjustment increase after tweaking and I'm wondering if this is normal or if I should try something else. Any Thoughts or Ideas?

Personally, I'd try a lower crossover, say 80 Hz for the sub. Also, make sure you have run a calibration with a good SPL meter and some test tones once you make the change.

See less See more

Save

PULLIAMM

· #3 · May 12, 2006

Maybe the Point 5's are more efficient than the Onkyos. This would make them louder relative to the sub at a given volume setting.

Save

Jakeman02

Discussion Starter · #4 · May 13, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by PULLIAMM
Maybe the Point 5's are more efficient than the Onkyos. This would make them louder relative to the sub at a given volume setting.

I'm sure that's part of it. But I just couldn't belive that they were THAT more efficent.

Before speaker change Receiver sub level 0......Sub volume level 3.5

After speaker change Receiver sub level +6......Sub volume level 5

Tht's a big different and I couldn't believe more efficent speakers would have this much of an effect.

Save

Nuance

· #5 · May 13, 2006

Have you used a SPL meter to equally level the dB of the speakers? If not, this will help a lot.

Save

Jakeman02

Discussion Starter · #6 · May 13, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nuance
Have you used a SPL meter to equally level the dB of the speakers? If not, this will help a lot.

No I haven't got a meter yet. This is in the plan though. I've downloaded some test tones and put them on cd. I'm also considering getting the avia disc but I've read where some say downloading the test tones does the same thing. So far I've been doing it by ear. I've got everything closer now with tweaking. What really got me was not haveing to have the volume as high to get the same level of sound. I expected this to happen because I knew the point 5s were more efficent, but I didn't expect the volume difference to be so dramatic. Those HITB speakers I was using must be terribly inefficent.

Save

1 - 6 of 6 Posts

Status: Not open for further replies.

Top Contributors this Month