What to set crossover on sub?

[Gizmo99]

I ran auto setup with the yamaha 1800 the crossover is set at 60 hz. What should I set my sub crossover to be?

Thanks
Ken

[seeclear]

So, are you saying that the crossover in the receiver is set at 60? If so, then turn the crossover on the sub all the way up.

[Willow]

unless you have a x-over bi-pass on your sub..

[ShinAce]

Both suggestions will give the same result.

[Face]

unless you have a x-over bi-pass on your sub..

Correct, use the LFE in on your sub if you're using your receiver's crossover.

[Mike Kozak]

Anyone know what I should set my sub crossover to? It is a KLH powered sub and I have the Monitor 7cs. Thanks!!!

[jakelm]

Anyone know what I should set my sub crossover to? It is a KLH powered sub and I have the Monitor 7cs. Thanks!!!


The 7's do well down to 60hz (actually well down to ~40-35hz). But 60hz seems to do a great job.

[Mike Kozak]

Thanks Jake!!!

[jakelm]

YW, but actually for HT use 80hz is good also. It really depends on the sub. I have had mine @ 80hz for HT use then switch to Large + sub for music. So any where between 60-80hz should do just fine

[ShinAce]

I'm a big fan of 65 Hz. Kind of like a favorite number.

[zingo]

For HT, THX recommends 80Hz. A lot of people don't like the THX stuff, but they do know their HT. I would say try a few different setting and see what sounds the best. Your ears will know.

[ShinAce]

A lower setting allows the sub to be 'hidden'. Your ears will not be able to locate frequencies below about 80 Hz. A higher freq can avoid excessive power from going to the mains, and therefore improve their distortion as well.

Trial and error is the best bet. You won't notice a big difference going from 60 to 80 Hz anyway.

[Mike Kozak]

Well the adjustment know on the back starts at 40hz and goes to 180hz, so I am thinking that not even a quarter turn to get to 60-65hz?

[Erik Tracy]

What would folks say is the general 'rule of thumb' for sub crossover setting?

Is it 30Hz above the -3db lower frequency response of your mains?

Or more?

Thanks,
Erik

[ShinAce]

The rule of thumb is to choose a frequency where both the sub and mains have a flat response.

For example, I have a bandpass subwoofer at home(coffee table) that has a response of 25 Hz to 65 Hz. The mains are bookshelves that have a -3 dB of 60 Hz. I am stuck with a crossover freq of 65 Hz if I expect a smooth frequency response. Since the sub naturally rolls off at the desired frequency, I have the sub xover set to 120 Hz(bypass sorta).

The higher you can go(75, 80, 85), the more power you can safely drive the mains with.

The lower you go(55, 60, 65), the more punchy bass comes from the mains and it makes the sub more 'transparent'.

If I have a sub designed for 20 Hz to 200 Hz and mains that can play flat down to 120 Hz, I would have no choice but to set the crossover higher than 120 Hz. A change of 30 Hz at this point will make very little difference.