Crossover settings Polk

[iduhfuse66]

Hi guys, I just got a Pioneer VSX 823k and I also have a pair of polk rti10s. Now they have a -3dB limit of 35hz. I can't decide if they should be set to Large or Small and what crossover should they be set at? I also have a polk psw111 sub to handle the lows.

 

[americanaudiophile]

I would set them to small. Why? In a large room they will play louder that way. In a small room you will get more control of the bass with the sub. The crossover frequency is more complicated. I would say 80hz should be fine. You can try a lower frequency say 50hz but will need to reset the levels. The optimal settings will depending on the way bass interacts with the room from the RTi10 and the sub.

 

[iduhfuse66]

I tried setting them to small and 80hz but I felt that it didn't sound as rich as it did while set a large (pioneer cancels sub out when playing stereo music when set at large). I can't tell if maybe my sub isn't configured properly in the receiver menu as it is playing very quietly when I have the main speakers set to small. The volume on the back of the sub is at around 60% and the crossover knob all the way up to LFE. Any ideas?

 

[americanaudiophile]

If the sub does not sound loud enough then turn it up. You have to set the sub level at your listening position. You have the control on the back of the sub as well as the sub level adjustment on the receiver. Max out the receiver before you max out the volume control on the back of the sub. You can also turn the front speakers down to get a level match.
You may also get a better result if you experiment with different placements of the sub. You can try this by putting the sub at the position at which you listen and put yourself at the potential placement locations. The location that sound the best to you is where you should put the sub.