SurroundBar + HK AVR-247 + DSW PRO 400

[narkeeso]

So I've been tweaking this system for about a week now. I got 14 awg speaker wire at 7 feet per channel. This has significantly improved volume output from the SurroundBar compared to the stock cables they provided. I didn't use any special cables either just generic speaker cable.

I've also upgraded my PSW111 to a DSW Pro 400. This was the best decision ever. The PSW111 just isn't versatile enough to be good for movies and music. It sounded great for music but it was a bit too weak for movies. I always had to turn up the levels and the volume to max. I can now leave the level at +1 for the DSW Pro 400 and get very good output.

My question is about the recommended hook up for the SurroundBar. Polk recommends running speaker wire through the sub and running them to the fronts. This kind of made me scratch my head. I'm wondering if Polk is just making this diagram to accommodate for Receivers that do not have a sub out?

Anyway, my setup is as follows...

SurroundBar -> AVR-247
DSW Pro 400 -> AVR-247 via Sub Out using RCA L/R Splitter on Line-In

Receiver Settings:

Speaker Size

Front L/R - Large
Surround L/R - Large
Center - Large

Sub - L/R + LFE

For those that are unfamiliar with the L/R + LFE setting:
"When the sub menu is set to sub L/R + LFE the L/R receive a full range signal down to their low end. Then the sub kicks in @ [whatever your crossover is], plus the LFE track. Also when listening to stereo music, which won't have the .1 track, you'll get the full range of the music through the main L/R."

Quoted from here: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=13295304#post13295304

Isn't that essentially the same thing as running speaker wire? I noticed that Polk notes that you will lose the surround effect unless you use the speaker wire method. Am I losing surround with my method?

[VSchneider]

NO, the "Polk Way" is meant for any receiver, not necessarily to accommodate receivers w/o sub pre-out (very rare).
NO, your setup is not equivalent to the "Polk Way", either. Switch all speakers to Small, crossover at around 100 Hz. Also, make sure you connect the sub using the "LFE IN" to bypass its internal crossover, and not the LINE L/R (sounds like what you chose...)

[RuSsMaN]

The speakers should be set to large, the SurroundBar has it's own internal filtering.

[narkeeso]

NO, the "Polk Way" is meant for any receiver, not necessarily to accommodate receivers w/o sub pre-out (very rare).
NO, your setup is not equivalent to the "Polk Way", either. Switch all speakers to Small, crossover at around 100 Hz. Also, make sure you connect the sub using the "LFE IN" to bypass its internal crossover, and not the LINE L/R (sounds like what you chose...)

Thanks for the info, do you own a SurroundBar, is that how you have yours setup?

Most sources and the manual say to set it to Large.

[VSchneider]

The speakers should be set to large, the SurroundBar has it's own internal filtering.

My bad, then. But what about sub connection, Russ?

EDIT:

I am re-reading the manual again, folks. When using sub pre-out connection, it's actually SMALL with 120 Hz x-over. My original advice was correct with the exception of the x-over frequency, which should be 120 Hz.

[narkeeso]

I am re-reading the manual again, folks. When using sub pre-out connection, it's actually SMALL with 120 Hz x-over. My original advice was correct with the exception of the x-over frequency, which should be 120 Hz.

I read that too but I believe that is for receivers that do not allow for a L/R + LFE setting or you want to play the SurroundBar louder. However, it also says that if you use this method that the surround effect will be less noticeable which is why they recommend the speaker wire method.

When I get home I will switch from L/R to LFE IN so filtering is only handled by my receiver.

From the FAQ:

How do I set up my receiver with the SurroundBar®?

As with other RM systems go to the Speaker configuration menu, set everything to large, subwoofer off, and connect the sub with speaker level wires from the left and right front outputs of the receiver along with the SurroundBar® left and right front. Place the subwoofer a little further away from the listener than the SurroundBar®, off to either side is okay. Use music in stereo to set the crossover and subwoofer output level. As usual, the level should be a little higher for movies. Set the same delay or distance for all channels as appropriate for the actual distance to the SurroundBar®. Since all the drivers are in one enclosure there are no alignment issues. Just make sure that there are no obstructions or walls right next to the surround bar. Starting at 0, adjust the surround level upwards based on the noise level of your environment. For most homes a surround level of 0 to +2 will be fine. However, for a noisy enviroment, such as a large store, you may need to increase the level significantly (as much as +6 or more) just to cut thru the background noise level. If you are using the SurroundBar® in a very noisy environment or wish to play it very loud, see #12 below for an alternate setup.

I am using the SurroundBar® in a noisy area and it doesn’t play loud enough. Should I use a different setup?

Yes, by setting all the channels to small and usng a subwoofer connected to the line level sub output the SurroundBar® will play much louder but will have slightly less surround sound. This can often be compensated for by using a higher level setting for the surround channels.
Go to speaker setup or configuration in your reciever, set the subwoofer to "ON" and set everything else to "Small"
If cross over frequency choices are available, choose 80Hz or 100Hz.
Connect the SurroundBar® to the receiver amplifier channels as normal.
Connect the subwoofer using the receiver RCA line level subwoofer output.
Adjust levels and delays as recommended in #9 above