setting high/low pass filters on USP-1

[legion1capone]

I am in the process of integrating my sub with my bookshelf speakers. Ran into a couple questions about the high and low pass filters on the back.
1. If I set the high pass at 70 hertz the speakers will not produce anything below 70 correct?
2. Same with the low pass, the sub will only recieve a signal of below 70 hertz if that is what I have it set at?

The reason I ask is when I play test tones I can still play 40-60hertz tones through my speakers. I can hear the difference in the sub whenever I move the dial but I'm not hearing anything happening in the speakers. Yes I have the sub turned off when I am setting the high pass filter. I thought I should hear less bass if any by adjusting this. And Yes my inputs are plugged into the high pass inputs not the full range inputs.

[DYohn]

Feb 6, 2010 13:11:12 GMT -5 legion1capone said:

I am in the process of integrating my sub with my bookshelf speakers. Ran into a couple questions about the high and low pass filters on the back.
1. If I set the high pass at 70 hertz the speakers will not produce anything below 70 correct?
2. Same with the low pass, the sub will only recieve a signal of below 70 hertz if that is what I have it set at?

The reason I ask is when I play test tones I can still play 40-60hertz tones through my speakers. I can hear the difference in the sub whenever I move the dial but I'm not hearing anything happening in the speakers. Yes I have the sub turned off when I am setting the high pass filter. I thought I should hear less bass if any by adjusting this. And Yes my inputs are plugged into the high pass inputs not the full range inputs.

Crossovers are slopes, not "cut offs." Setting it at 70Hz means the mains and the subwoofer outputs will be rolled off beginning at 70Hz and the volume will be progressively less above or below that. There will still be less than 70Hz information sent to your mains, just at lower volumes.

[legion1capone]

Ok thank you for the clarification on this. Is the only real benifit of going this route vs full range to let your amp work less to power the speakers and let the sub pick up a little more slack?

Much appriciated, Kelly

[DYohn]

Feb 6, 2010 13:18:43 GMT -5 legion1capone said:

Ok thank you for the clarification on this. Is the only real benifit of going this route vs full range to let your amp work less to power the speakers and let the sub pick up a little more slack?

Much appriciated, Kelly

That is exactly why, plus many loudspeakers used as mains are not genuine full-range systems and if you want authoritative reproduction in the first couple of octaves, adding a subwoofer is the only way to get it.

[solidstate]

Do you have an FR graph of your bookshelves? That would give us hints as to what to set it to. Are they large or small? What is the size of the woofer? Two-way or three-way design? and so on.

[solidstate]

Feb 6, 2010 13:11:12 GMT -5 legion1capone said:

And Yes my inputs are plugged into the high pass inputs not the full range inputs.

Don't you mean outputs?

[solidstate]

Feb 6, 2010 13:18:43 GMT -5 legion1capone said:

Ok thank you for the clarification on this. Is the only real benifit of going this route vs full range to let your amp work less to power the speakers and let the sub pick up a little more slack?

Much appriciated, Kelly

And also that a loudspeaker that can't produce lower frequencies with any fidelity IE sure it can drive down to 60Hz but that 60Hz is poor and distorted with port huffing etc.

Set highpass to 80Hz

Set lowpass to infinity or highest setting

Use RCAs labeled highpass

Use sub lowpass by setting it to 80Hz on it's xover dial.

From here I'd try using the lowpass filter in the pre as well as the sub. Dunno what would be better. Sure would be nice if people would share the details of their equipment. It does make a difference regarding advice!

PS I just read the manual for the USP-1 and it's so explanatory with case examples and does a fantastic job of explaining the xover/bass management the unit has