New HT - Please Help

[Grzegorz]

First time poster long time reader.

I recently purchased a new HT system:

HK AVR630
RTi8
CSi5
FXi3
PSW505

I’m a newbie and was hoping to get some advice on the best possible setup. The system is in the basement, tile floor 16X13. I’m currently using 14-gauge cable for the speakers (no bi-wiring) and I’m using the Y connection for the subwoofer. My biggest concern is the subwoofer, I have only two options for positioning (wife & space) behind the couch or on the right side wall. I have speakers set to SMALL and the crossover set at a 100 (default)

I don’t fell I’m getting the most out of my system and the subwoofer just doesn’t sound right. (Volume set at 12 o’clock, phase 0 and the low pass set at 1 o’clock)

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[gatemplin]

Welcome to CP,

That is a very good setup,

Try setting the AVR crossover to 80 Hz.

Set the lowpass to highest to avoid double filtering.

Adjusting phase, and trying new locations may give you the desired effect.

Is the sub too quiet, boomy etc?

Why dont you feel you are getting the most out of it?

Edit: The right side wall would be better than behind the couch IMO.

[PolkThug]

Use the LFE input on the 505, so your head unit is doing all the x-over. You're basically running it through two crossovers. What is subout level on the receiver, ie 0, +1, etc.?

Regards,
PolkThug

[amulford]

I would also check out corner placement for the sub, Around 6"- 12" if you have the room. Check out the level of output fr the AVR, as Polkthug suggests.

With the size of your room, the 505 should do the trick for you...

Let us know...

[PolkWannabie]

If you can I'd lower the X/O ... 100 is on the high side and will still leave listening as being fairly directional.

[Grzegorz]

Thanks everyone for your replies.

Gatemplin – I found the subwoofer was too boomy and was missing some bass when watching DD5.1. I’ll try your recommendation of setting the crossover to 80, the low pass higher and I’ll let you know how it turns out. The reason I feel I’m not getting the most out of my system is because I just upgraded from an AVR110 (Still love this puppy), a 4-year-old 5.1 infinity satellites speaker set and I just don’t feel that it was a huge improvement in sound, well not for the cost anyway.

PolkThug - I tried using the single RCA cable to the Sub (LFE) and increased the level to +5 and it didn’t sound as full as the Y cable connected to the Sub with the level set at +3. Should I be using a special RCA cable?

I wish I could place the subwoofer on the same wall as my front speakers but their just isn’t enough room (f@%k it, I’m moving)

[Ron-P]

What is your sub sitting on, carpet? If so, find a piece of slate to set the sub on. That will tighten the bass up nicely.