Home theater crossover question


I mounted my surround side speakers on the wall, so I used my Onkyo TX-SR803 receiver's auto configuration feature. I went into speaker setup when it was done and looked at the crossover settings, and now I have a question.

It set the front speakers to 200hz and the subwoofer to 120hz. Assuming the front speakers send everything under 200hz to the sub and the sub only goes up to 120hz, does everything from 121hz to 199hz get lost? Shouldn't the speaker crossover point be the same as the sub? Thanks.
scuby

Showing 3 responses by scuby

Thanks. I knew that re-routed bass and LFE were separate, but there is no info on the receiver as to the frequency response for the former, so I assumed it was the same. In any case, my subwoofer's frequency response is listed as 29hz-150hz, so I'm not sure it can produce the 150hz-200hz sounds even if the receiver re-routes that range from the other speakers. On the other hand, my receiver wouldn't have put that burden on the sub if it wasn't producing sound in that range during the test, would it?

For now, I've changed the main speaker crossover from 200hz to 120hz. I didn't want to chance missing the occasional 188hz note that will make all the difference. When I have time, I'll A/B Dianna Krall and decide whether to change it back.
Thanks for all the responses. My speakers are Infinity TSS-1100s (5 small 2-way speakers and the sub). Infinity recommends a subwoofer crossover setting of 120hz-150hz for the setup, so I reset all speakers to crossover at 120hz. Javachip and Kr4, the small speakers are rated at 125 watts and the self-powered sub at 250 watts, so I guess they can handle lower crossover settings. I may experiment with 80hz and see if it improves midrange response for CDs (2-channel system is off to listening room).

I think my original question has been answered; at 200hz for the front speakers and based on the sub's frequency response, I would lose part of the audio spectrum.
After digesting all of the advice, I compromised and set all crossovers to 150hz. Movies sound great and CDs sound about as good as I can get them to sound with this system, good enough for occasional listening. I still have my 2-channel system for dedicated CD listening. Thanks, everybody.