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Using a Rel Sub with a dedicated center channel

Anyone using a Rel subwoofer with their dedicated center channel in a home theater? Rel has a video on their youtube page from a couple years ago on how to do this and talk about the benefits a little. Someone in the comments makes the case that any channel in a HT can benefit from a subwoofer being added but it does have me intrigued. So much of the sound comes for a HT comes from the center channel it makes me think it might benefit. I am already running 2 SVS SB4000 in my setup. The Yamaha CX-A5200 I am using sets my B&W HTM 1 center channel at 120 hz for crossover and the Vandersteen 2ce sigs that are my are RL channels to 80hz. I actually really like the sound of everything right now but think maybe this can take it to the next level?
chief4425
erik_squires
15,640 posts
 
I just looked at the specs, after @auxinput commented.

I’m not sure large is the right answer, but 120 Hz seems like a very high cut off. 80 Hz is the THX standard, and a better compromise.
The problem with setting them to large is potentially more distortion, so my recommendation might be to try these two options. Try setting to 80, and then to large.

Remember that in either case, your HT processor should send the remaining bass to the other two subs. 
chief4425 OP
25 posts
 
I’ll try setting it to 80 hz first and see what happens. I have been planning on getting a better amplifier to power my center channel. I’ve got a Marantz mm8807 for the center and surrounds for now. I’m sure it’s plenty good for the surrounds but B&W usually like lots of power. The Yamaha sets the freq to 120 hz when I do it’s ypao corrections. I was worried about setting it lower than the 120 as I’ve read you generally shouldn’t go lower?
auxinput
2,920 posts
 
Yeah, 120 hz is very high for a sub crossover. Some subs may actually cause beaming or a "too strong" type of sound in the midbass at this crossover. They are also not as crisp/clean in the midbass at these frequencies. I have a HTM2 D3 center that I run LARGE and it's been fine except for 1 or 2 movies that peaked the woofers at extremely loud volume.  Those are the 1 or 2 examples where the movie soundtrack will actually output bass effects into the center.  Otherwise, LARGE is just fine.  But if you have concerns, I would set the center crossover at 40 hz like I suggested earlier.
chief4425 OP
25 posts
 
I played around with the settings on the Yamaha a bit, I think I'm also searching for something that might not be there - I really like how everything sounds as is too. Seems like a subwoofer may be more of a waste than a benefit. But as always, we keep searching for whats next to upgrade. 
erik_squires
15,640 posts
 
The lower in F you go, the more power the receiver has to put out. That is, the power shifts from the subwoofer to the receiver, so that's a little bit of a concern, also, the more bass a small speaker plays, the more distortion.

Without seeing what the receiver is doing precisely, I suspect that 80 to 120 Hz is in a good range.  In some cases you may be limited to hte smallest speaker defining the crossover.  For instance, if you have really small surrounds, which MUST be set to 120, the receiver may only be able to use 1 crossover setting and will choose 120 for all speakers, even if your center is bigger.
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