Advice on Crossover Settings for AMP and Sub

I currently have a Yamaha RX-V377 AV amplifier and Wharfedale DX-2 Surround Speakers and Sub Woofer.

The DX2 Satellite speakers frequency range

Satellite 120hz - 20khz
Centre Speaker is 80hz - 20hz
Sub 40hz-150hz.

In the Yamaha Speaker setup I have the option to set the speakers to SMALL or LARGE and set the Crossover Frequency.

1. Am I correct in thinking the crossover frequency should be around 10Hz above what the lowest frequency it can produce as this is the point where the Sub takes over?

2. The Yamaha setup does not have the option to set the separate crossover frequencies for BOTH the Satellite and Centre speakers. It just has the one. So should this be based on the lowest frequency for BOTH the satellite and center speakers? In which case should I base it on the Centre speaker? And being the lowest it can produce at 80Hz should I therefore set it to 90Hz?

3. I ran the YPAO speaker setup placing the Mic where I sit in order for the system to calculate everything and distance from the speakers. After running, the speakers where set to LARGE and the crossover to 60Hz. So a bit perplexed as to why it set it at that. Should I change this to 90Hz and the speakers to SMALL?

4. Should the Crossover frequency control on the back of the SUB Woofer be set the same as what is set in the Yamaha crossover setting? So again 90Hz?

5. I have just purchased a Marantz PM6007 amplifier and a set of DALI Oberon 7 floor standing speakers. Which I might add are amazing speakers. I Listen to ROCK/Metal mostly and certainly have the punch and clarity. Whilst I am not using those for music I though why have them sitting there so my plan is to disconnect the two front satellite speakers and connect the Dali's, whilst still keeping the other rear satellite, center and sub speakers. I will also occasionally play music from the PC, which is connected via a Optical Digital cable.

5.1 The Dali speakers obviously don't need a sub so should I just switch it off? In which case would I still need to adjust the settings in the Yamaha for the speaker sizes and crossover?

5.2 Lets say I kept the Sub on with it (curious what it would sound like) what would the crossover be set at on both the Yamaha and back of the Sub? The Dali Frequency response is 36Hz - 26KHz.

6. Why do you need a crossover setting for both the Yamaha setting and the back of the SUB? I thought either one would tell when the bass frequencies should only start to kick in on the SUB and take over from the speakers.

Thanks in advance. Sorry for should a lot of questions. Appreciate anyone's time in answering

 

Thanks so much for your answers. My amp jumps from 120Hz to 160Hz though so would 160Hz be better? I've actually just changed it to 120Hz and put the crossover on the sub to full at 150Hz. I'm curious though, how does setting it to full on the Sub effectively disable it so the amp has control?

I just listed to an album by Nickelback before writing this. After changing replayed and does sound much better. Before the Sub sounded boomy but now seems to integrate in well with the other speakers giving a much more pleasing sound. Yeah will have a go at that software you mentioned. Will be interesting to try it

 

If the choice is 120 or 160, then I'd go with 160. Try it both ways, and see which integrates better.
Setting the sub to 'full' I assume this means maximum level, not crossover frequency control. If so, it doesn't disable the crossover. Only if you have a 'flat' position on the frequency control will it disable the sub's crossover. If you don't have a 'flat' position, then set the sub to the highest frequency you do have so the control is through the amp's crossover at some lower frequency.

Setting up a sub is really a trial and error operation, as crossover and level settings will also depend on what the main 'speakers are doing and most important, what your room does in the bass. Positioning of the sub is also significant, so endless hours of fun! That's one reason for suggesting REW, as that will show you graphically what the room and 'speakers are doing.

S

 

Thanks. I will change the crossover on the AV Settings to 160Hz then for the current setup and change when the DALIs arrive.

On the back of the SUB I only have two knobs. The Volume and Crossover that shows 40Hz through to 150Hz. Also has a phase switch 0 to the left or 180 to the right and another switch for Auto Sense. So should I just turn the crossover all the way to the right so its on 150Hz?

What's the best settings for Phase and Auto Sense? I currently got Phase to 0 and Auto Sense to OFF.

Also In the speakers settings on the AV receiver there is an option called Virtual Cinema front. I have just looked this up and it says use this if you can't put the speakers at the back of the room. Well I have the other two satellites at the back so makes sense to turn this off.

However when it's on it does sound much better when listening to music. But am I correct in guessing it be better turned to leave this turned off? As when I watch movies it might effect what is supposed to be coming out of the front and back speakers?

Thanks again

 

Yes, put the frequency switch on 150Hz and leave it at that.
The Phase 0-180 switch you'll have to set by ear or look at the graph generate by REW when you use that. It sets the polarity of the sub to match that of the mains. Whether 0 or 180 depends on whether the amplifier inverts phase or not. If it's in the wrong position, the REW graph will show a dip at the crossover point. When it's right, you'll hear more solid bass.

As to auto-sense, that just puts the sub into standby when you stop listening to music and switches it on when it senses a signal. It means you don't have to switch it off manually unless you're going to be leaving it for some time, in which case switch off manually.

Finally, as to Virtual Cinema, use whatever sounds better. With surround 'speakers, movies typically have a 5.1 soundtrack that puts dialogue mostly in the centre, effects all around, with very low frequency effects to the sub. If you don't have surround 'speakers, it puts a diffuse sort of effect into the front 'speakers to create a virtual surround effect that can be quite pleasant also on music, even if not actually accurate. It rather depends on how purist you like your music, i.e. as close to what the producer intended or as pleasant as you can make it.

I still occasionally use a Sony Quadraphonic decoder from the 1970s that decodes surround from LPs, and that has a virtual surround mode that makes ordinary stereo more 'ambient' and can be quite pleasant on some music.

S