SDA SRS 1.2TL and Sub - I just can't do it!

[puunda]

I've recently got a sub to use in my HT system - which is currently SDA 1.2TL's mains/music driven by McIntosh MC2500, LSi15 rears driven by Arcam FMJ P25, no cent, pro/pre is Marantz SR8500. The sub is a Velodyne F1800RII 18" Active Servo sub with 600W Class D amp.

Other than the fact that the 5 speakers takes up my whole room, I can't get it going as I would like ... let me explain.

In HT mode, it's great. Everything rumbles like mad when it's supposed to. No settings need to be done on the sub other than volume. In this mode it's great and I'm very happy with it.

In music mode is where the problem is. If using in 'Pure Direct' mode, the sub is not on at all, simply the 1.2TL's. This sounds fine, but after hearing what the sub can do, I feel like I'm missing something. So I use it in 'stereo' mode which sends the bass to the sub. However it does this at 80Hz or 100Hz. I wanted it to do this at more like 40Hz, but can't with my proc. I've tried both with the 1.2TL's in full range and high passed at 80Hz. I simply can't intergrate it. I'm not sure why to be honest. It's either doing nothing (the sub) or booming away. The other problem is that the amount of bass the sub puts out seems to vary greatly depending on music as well.

Does anyone have any advice on setting up a sub for music?
Or should I simply use the sub for movies only, and not use it for music?

Thanks in advanced.

Puunda

[madmax]

Even though it is being fed 80hz from the processor, don't you have a control on the sub or amp to dial it on down to 40? Ahh... The fun of getting a sub to work well with two channel. :)
madmax

[puunda]

Even though it is being fed 80hz from the processor, don't you have a control on the sub or amp to dial it on down to 40?

Yes you can. In fact, the XO setting on the sub goes down to 40Hz. However, that would mean between 40Hz and 80Hz, there would be nothing if I HP the mains, or have both the sub and mains playing 40Hz and below. The more ideal solution would've been if the proc allows XO to be 40Hz. But this one dosen't.

Another thing which surprises me is that given the size and num of drivers in the 1.2TL's, It's hard to believe that a sub still helps with the low ends.

[madmax]

I didn't really understand what HP the mains means. One thing I've found is that the 1.2's, really all of the SDA's, can be anything from super light on bass to bass heavy depending on amp and source. For example, I just hooked up some different amps and went from light to heavy. They are a strange breed of speaker for sure.
madmax