It might sound weird and gappy in some instances, but is it much better than having muffled and inaudible sounds coming out. Joined. the sub level) with the level above the crossover point (i.e. Once you've selected the crossover slope and phase on your sub the next step is to use the RTA function to examine the frequency response of the whole system playing together i.e. This process may sound too simple, but in reality, a subwoofer crossover is a vital configuration that you have to make to ensure that every speaker in your system works in harmony. As technology improves, so does this feature. It could be one of the reasons youre getting peaks or drops with your sound system, despite configuring it according to the results youre getting. Sound Storm Laboratories SX310 2/3 Way Pre-amp Electronic Crossover with Remote Subwoofer Level Control. Most of the systems that we use today include an equalization feature that handles the output for audio. Using a more sophisticated external crossover, such as the Bryston 10B allows for more choices in crossover frequency and slope, but even the best analog crossover cant deliver infinite options in terms of slope, crossover points, and attenuation levels. Look at the back of your subwoofer, then set the low-pass crossover at least 10Hz higher than your main speakers range. However, if you are using a speaker unit that is an older design and makes, the matching of frequency response will become an issue. The first one is by adding an analog active crossover device that bridges the signal path between the pre and power amp. [caption id=" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Screenshot from XTZ Room Analyzer II Standard showing how to set SPL levels and take a measurement[/caption] Also, with a lower crossover point, I got a cleaner upper bass and lower midrange response due to less subwoofer energy in this frequency range. THX is almost a different beast altogether. Let us explain why. The Beatles Revolver: Super Deluxe Edition Boxed CD, Mark Smotroff explores an old favorite with fresh eyes and, The 25 Ultimate Audiophile Speakers of All Time, We picked the 25 absolute best audiophile speakers over $5,000., The Beatles Revolver Super Deluxe Edition, Mark Smotroff continues to explore an old favorite with fresh, Ideal Room Size Dimensions and Ratios for Audiophile, Dennis Foley discusses the idea of ideal room dimensions --, The 10 Best Audiophile SACDs Ever Many Are, Audiophile music, particularly the high resolution disc format, can be. This range is the starting point when configuring your crossover. However, there are times when, despite several adjustments, youre still getting inconsistencies with your output. 2014-01-20 5:15 pm. The subwoofer crossover is the point as which the lower frequency ranges transition to the be played only by the main speaker units. T TheeyaN Senior VIP Member 10+ year member And looking at the particular sub curve: a 24db slope seems to be at around 400hz. The subwoofer signal gets a 4th order roll-off at the same 80 Hz and Presto! 1) Choose a CO slope of 12 dB. The frequency (hertz) rating on a low-pass crossover usually starts at 40 Hz and can be raised up to a maximum of 160-200 Hz. Looking at the chart below we can see that the rolloff of the main speakers is around 24dB per octave. However, the system itself can be a complicated device for the normal consumer, especially for those who arent familiar with how to properly set it up in their homes. I originally set up the system with the Spatials crossed over into the JL Subs at 70 Hz, but in my room that caused too much bass in the corners of the room and not enough at the listening position. The sub specs say it can play down to 25 Hz, which is very low, and the sub has a crossover adjustment that goes from 50 Hz to 150 Hz. Here are the graphs of LR4 (24dB/oct) and LR8 (48dB/oct). Have a close look at the chart, because it will tell you if the crossover frequencies and slopes marked on the sub actually measure that way in real life! That's not how it works (I mean, who plays 80Hz? You still have to make some manual adjustments to achieve the right amount of overlap that you want your sound system to have. Subwoofers ; Best audio crossover point for RP-600m Best audio crossover point for RP-600m . Therefore, a -12dB crossover slope is usually considered a good compromise and works well for most speaker system, as it's easier to design with fewer complications and still possesses good ability. A mode where both bass frequencies from an audio source is below the receivers crossover point. If you are moving up in frequency the rate at which the xover network reduces the signal to the sub and increases the signal to the low driver is that crossover slope. Crossover slope. The slope is the rate at which the signal rolls off or attenuates past the crossover's frequency. Place your subwoofer on each of these locations, then do a bass frequency sweep. First, head to the configuration panel of your subwoofer crossover unit, which is located on the back (some units have that panel at either side or sometimes in the front). This control on a sub, most often called the 'Low Pass' filter, is specified as xxdB per octave and comes most often in 12dB and 24dB options, although sometimes you find 6dB and 18dB. I'm excited to share what I have learned. An octave is a doubling [or halving] of frequency. All three KS Series Active Subwoofers feature powerful DSP, which allow you to adjust a number of useful parameters. Testing your subwoofer crossover can be tedious, and itll be even harder if youre working on it using an unfamiliar sound. While in the receiver's menu, look at the speaker's specification sheet, and take note of the lowest frequency. Set the crossover 10-15 Hz above the speaker's measured or specified low frequency extension. Sounds that are enhanced are usually sound effects (SFX) such as explosions, dramatic music, gunfire, and other movie sound effects. You may have heard this advice before: place your subwoofer in the corner or close to the wall to get more bass. Crossover slope. Phase in a low pass filter lags the input and phase in a high pass filter leads the input. If you had used a 6db slope, it would roll off slower, so it would be at a rate of 6db per octave which means you will hear more of the frequencies below the crossover point. An external crossover expands your options. If the slope options are adjustable, . the sub level) with the level above the crossover point (i.e. You dont want both of these effects when configuring your sub to work with your sound system. By using a 40 Hz crossover point instead of 80 Hz you have effectively reduced the subwoofers output at 80 Hz by 24 dB and at 160 Hz the subwoofers output is reduced by 48 dB as opposed to only 24 dB with the 80 Hz crossover point. It is advised to prioritize the main speaker first and the satellite speakers second, in order to still have a preferable audio output. However, the general gist of setting up a subwoofer crossover (and other audio systems in general) is that you need to set it up according to your ear and preference. High/Low Level Gain:The volume control for the subwoofer. However, you cant just stick it in there and hope to get the best bass output. But [usually] only a 6dB slope at speaker cable [high] level. On some satellite systems, you may find that you have to set the crossover to 100Hz. 60-80hz - low punch. By switching to a set-up where the Spatial M3s were allowed to extend down without a crossover limiting their low frequencies I was able to get more bass at the listening position because the Spatials have more controlled dispersion between 160 and 80 Hz than the JL subs and interacted less with the room so there was less bass cancellation at the listening position. A woman's voice is usually at a higher frequency, for example than a man's voice. When setting the subwoofer crossover, you want the right amount of overlap with the speakers. Most subwoofer units in the market today (both separate units and part of an audio system) have this setting activated by default and is typically fixed. This allows deeper and lower frequencies to be handled by the subwoofer to create depth whereas the higher frequency ranges are appropriately handed by the main speaker units. The most commonly used slopes are -12 and -24 dB/octave. - Adjust your time alignment precept. Therefore the method we use involves using a RTA. Subwoofer crossover settings are an important and often overlooked part of setting up your home theater system. This term is meant for speaker units that cannot produce frequencies more than 20 Hz and instead are used for the crossover mix. Use the KEF digital crossover setting at 75hz. This seamless transition is responsible for producing audio that acts as if its coming from one entity. July 19, 2022 Macedonia. Many people get confused by polarity and phase. The two speakers are out of phase, and the overall bass production is reduced. Your crossover frequency is unusable high at 550 Hz. Playback software like JRiver Media Center provides an excellent onboard crossover feature sufficient for perfect integration. Position of your subwoofer within the media room. The primary advantage of using the subs built-in crossover is that it allows your main speakers to play with less strain since it relieves them of the burden of producing mid and low bass. The chart below shows the results of a straight line fit for our measurement. the sound that you hear). First-order crossovers have a 6 . Here is a little information that may be helpful when choosing your crossover slope: 6dB/octave . It's best to play a variety of music. The chart above is actually very good - it's within 5dB over most of the range below 300HZ. A proper crossover setting creates a smooth transition from the low-pass to high-pass crossover without any noticeable interference. Those aspects are beyond the scope of this blog post but if you want to learn more follow the links above. A bass guitar or a big drum can reach lower . Level Part 2. : A perfect 4th order Linkwitz/Riley crossover with its characteristic freedom from phase shift and low subwoofer detection, thanks to the steep slope. That will be the point wherein the crossover will start, at 80 Hz until 90 Hz. 56-60 Hz (high pass) is considered the optimal crossover frequency. Youll find tones like this embedded in any THX-certified movie! 2nd-order Bessel: Produces a -5 dB crossover point to achieve a nearly flat (+1 dB) amplitude response. I'm currently using the internal crossover in the Hsu at 30 hz and it's a little bit bass heavy around the 50 hz area. A crossover is an electronic unit or digital processor which directs different frequencies of an audio signal to different drivers in a loudspeaker system. This is OK, provided it nets you the best overall response. Most subs use either Butterworth (BW) or Linkwitz-Reilly (LR) filters. Much confusion still exists about what a room correction product does, what problems it can (and cannot) solve and therefore its 'place' in a modern high quality sound reproduction system. Done correctly, and the results are harmonious with appropriate decay of the subwoofer to give way to the main speakers to handle higher frequencies. Note that once the frequency from the audio source reaches 90 Hz, both the subwoofer unit and speaker units will produce sound but will vary from each other as mentioned before. Learn more about REL Acoustics at https://rel.net/Whatever the specs on your speaker say they are, in many cases they're put out by very fine companies telli. To find the crossover slope you need to find two points on that line separated by one octave. What About THX Systems? If we start at the square at 25Hz (the square just below 31.5Hz) and count three squares up we get to 50Hz which is one octave. You'll see there is a bump in the frequency response at 75Hz or so, which is a room mode. When you find the phase setting that produces the most SPL at the crossover frequency it means that the sound waves from the sub and mains are properly in phase and not causing any phase based cancellation. Left / Right speakers and sub. Thats because subwoofers are non-directional low-frequency speakers that need some breathing room. Setting the phase of a speaker system is made possible by a 0/180-degree switch at the back of the subwoofer. Lets say youve been to a friends house and found out that hes using an in-wall subwoofer. You can find speakers that take pride in their sophisticated bass management. The idea is to match the drop off (slope) of the sub woofer with the take up (slope) of the other speakers. Either the crossover needs to be a little lower or a little steeper. But without the right amount of overlap, youll either hear a sudden drop in notes that sound like an amplifier just went awry, or a very shortbut noticeablecut in your audio. Current crossover settings for many subwoofer units are usually set up to 80 Hz by default. On the contrary, you may consider using a Subwoofer Plate Amplifier to transform the subwoofer from passive to active. In our case (we used a JL Audio Fathom F112) they were spot on. Music has both high frequencies and low frequencies. Impedance: 8 . However, if you want to get the right amount of overlap, youll have to redesign, sometimes even reconstruct, your media room. So they are interchangeable. My questions to you all knowledgeable WBF'ers are as follows (Google has not been my friend in finding this out): - What are the rationales behind symmetrical crossovers, if any? However, as we shall soon see, its a simple concept that anybody can grasp. When you run this app and hear a distinct sound that shouldnt be in your systems audio output, reconfigure it accordingly. Therefore the method we use involves using a RTA. If you set polarity to 0 and phase to 180 you get exactly the same result. 31.5Hz to 63Hz is one octave, 63Hz to 125Hz is one octave, 125Hz to 250Hz is one octave. Pay attention to the options that are available in your receiver's crossover adjustment menu. Some of the best outboard active crossovers you can find in the market today include: Planet Audio EC20B 3-Way (Amazon link) The Planet Audio EC20B 3-Way crossover offers three filter circuits for a wide range of setup options. It is even true for speaker units with their own mini-subwoofer inside it as that can only handle a little process, unlike a fully dedicated subwoofer unit. Most subs use either Butterworth (BW) or Linkwitz-Reilly (LR) filters. Move around the room to see where youre getting the best sounding LFE, and remember these spots. One particular setting that is often incorrectly set up is the bass management that can be found on a subwoofers crossover settings. It is notable that speaker units have different ranges from each other (in which you can look at its specifications), so do keep in mind what kind of speaker units to use with your subwoofer crossover unit. Crossover: Frequency at which the subwoofer transitions into the speakers frequencies. 2. Crossover Frequency Configuration. It has the power to take your music-listening experience to the next level, but you have to configure it correctly. Overlap of your large, small, and main speakers, The volume output of your subwoofer and speakers. This term means that it is a speaker unit (either part of an audio system or by itself) that is truly full-range audio when it comes to its specifications and capabilities. You have to remember the other major factors at play - room modes and speaker boundary interference. Regardless (and IMO), a sub that is flat from below 15Hz up to ~80Hz is playing most of the bass sound, not "removing" it. It is felt that 80 Hz is about the point where you will no longer be able to localize the sub. The 24dB/octave slopes are red and dark green. the left and right speakers). You need active (electronic) crossover, or at least passive RC line-level low-pas filter. When dealing with crossover settings, the following terms and definitions below are the most likely you will be hearing when talking about that setting. Whichever position results in the loudest and fullest bass, is the correct setting. However, its good to note that the best phase setting is the one that produces the most bass. The chart above is actually very good - it's within 5dB over most of the range below 300HZ. The textbook definition of a "crossover" is the point where the speakers and subwoofers trade duties. July 28, 2022 When it comes to properly setting up a subwoofer crossover into your home theater setup, do remember that you can either set it up below, close, or above the speakers specified ratings. It can usually play down sounds from audio sources with frequencies as low as 20 Hz. Messages. How To Set Up the Crossover. When it happens, then maybe, the position of your subwoofer is a bit off for your sound system. You will fine tune level after setting phase correctly. [/caption] The frequency (hertz) rating on a low-pass crossover usually starts at 40 Hz and can be raised up to a maximum of 160-200 Hz. The subwoofer crossover frequency is the frequency where the main speakers roll off for the sub to take over the Low-Frequency sounds (Bass and sub-bass). Play a sound that uses deep bass, anything that is familiar to you. Even if you get your sub and mains properly integrated there will still be peaks and dips in the frequency response caused by room acoustics. Used full-range the mains will require more power, but they will have less extreme phase-shifts or group delays in their low frequencies, which can allow them to sound more like their designer intended and blend more seamlessly with the subwoofer.