Setting my subwoofer cutoff frequency


I just bought a paradigm PS-1000 subwoofer to go along with my paradigm monitor 7 front channels (I have no center channel or surround speakers yet). I am using a Denon 1403 receiver. The front speakers have a low frequency extension of 33Hz. The sub has a low frequency extension of 24Hz. It has a knob to adjust cutoff frequency from 50Hz to 150Hz. Can someone tell me what I should set this to, and in what situations, and why? I turn it up and down but really can't hear much of a difference.

Thanks a bunch
stevendchapman5b3c

Showing 1 response by reubent

Most HT receivers have bass management of some kind. For most low/mid-fi receivers that I've played with, the cutoff frequency was fixed by the receiver at 80 or 100hz. If you have your receiver setup set to SUB=yes/on, it is likely that the receiver is "fixing" the low pass filter for the sub/LFE out port.

If this is true, changing the cutoff frequency at the sub will have no affect. Most manufacturers suggest setting the sub cutoff freq. to max. in this configuration. Since the receiver is controlling the cutoff, there is no reason to set it at the sub. Just set it to max (125hz?) and forget about it.

TIC