[bozec75]

Hi folks

I haven't been here in a while but now I have a question.

I recently picked up a sub on sale, and Energy ESW-C10 more to be able to quickly control the bass at night since I'm in an apartment with nasty neighbors. I have a question about stereo setup.

Here's my setup:
Denon AVR-989
Energy RC-50 front
Energy CC-100 Center
Energy C-200 surround
Energy ESW-C10

I listen to quite a bit of music as well as watching movies. In particular, I listen to LP's. My receiver lets me have different settings for 2ch Direct/Stereo and I'm confused on what to do.

Would there be any point in adding the sub for stereo? If so, would I set my fronts to small or large, and would I set the sub to LFE or LFE+Main? From what I can read, the sub goes to 32Hz and the mains go to 33Hz so I don't know if it's going to have any effect if any.

My hearing doesn't pick up low frequencies very well, so it's more for the SO and the neighbors

If it makes a difference, I listen mostly to 70's-80's rock and electronica.

 

[eljay]

Would there be any point in adding the sub for stereo?

Simple answer: Try with and without and go with the set-up that provides the best response.

Longer answer: Although the RC-50s go to 33Hz +/- 3dB and the sub goes to 32Hz (presumably also +/- 3dB), you may get better response down to those lower frequencies from the sub since it has a larger driver and a dedicated 150W amp, and its sole purpose is to produce bass.

Based on what I read in the owner's manual, set all your speakers to "Small" and set the subwoofer to "LFE". The subwoofer will handle all frequencies below the crossover point (say, 60Hz for the mains and 80Hz for the rest) as well as the LFE.

 

[d2e8b8]

I will be following this thread with interest since I have struggled with integrating a sub for movies and music for many years.

To sum it up in a line, I think my preference is ...
- for 2-ch music I prefer the two fronts set to large and no sub
- for movies, I think I prefer all speakers set to small and let the sub do its bit below the cross-over.

Between these 2 requirements, I have played with the large/small, x-over, LFE/ LFE plus Main etc settings over and over again but never seem to be able to settle on something for too long.

I've never really quite liked a sub for music listening - 2 floor standers sound better to me (even though they may not 'truly' be full range and don't go as low as a sub might). And if you're an LP guy, I suspect you may arrive at the same conclusion.

 

[eljay]

FWIW, I tried a number of different combinations and settings w/ my current set-up before settling on the following:
- Stereo - "Pure Direct" mode (main speakers only, no audio processing).
- HT - "Auto" mode (occasionally matrixed to 7.1), Audyssey's "Audyssey" setting (i.e., full EQ), all speakers set to "Small" and crossover set to 60Hz.

YMMV.

 

[Phage]

+1

I also prefer no sub assist while listing to music (80's and ambient electronica) but allot for movies.