Sunfire HRS-12 - Manual (Page 15)

User's Manual
15
There are two main methods for adjust-
ing the volume, crossover frequency and
phase controls to match a system:
• Preferred method: By listening and
making the adjustments to suit your
taste.
• Laboratory method: By measur-
ing the output with a microphone
and adjusting for a flat frequency
response.
Excellent results can be obtained if you
make the adjustments based on simply
listening. This is our preferred method as
it allows the system to be voiced based
on what sounds the best, whereas labo-
ratory-flat frequency response can often
be clinical and less than exciting.
The following procedure is for those
who prefer a more methodical and scien-
tific approach. This excerpt is from “The
Audio Critic,” issue 4, page 1, written
by contributing editor David Rich, and is
reprinted here with their kind permission.
You will need a test CD with low-fre-
quency warble tones, and a sound pres-
sure-level meter. The Radio Shack ® SPL
meter will do fine, as will the Stereophile ®
test CD.
“Step 1. Disconnect the subwoofer
and run the main speaker with a tone in
its passband (80-100 Hz). Measure the
level.
Step . Disconnect the main speaker
and reconnect the subwoofer. Set the
subwoofer to its highest crossover
frequency. Set the volume control of the
subwoofer to give the same sound pres-
sure level with the same tone you used
in Step 1.
Step . With both the subwoofer and
the main speaker connected, measure
the level of the tones at the available
frequencies. Because the crossover
is set too high, you will have a peaked
response. Adjust the crossover control to
get the smoothest response.
Adjusting the controls
Step 4. Use the phase control to make
the response even smoother. It has its
biggest effect at the crossover frequency.
You can iterate between the crossover
and the phase controls. Keep your hands
off the volume control! It was set correctly
in step .
Step 5. Listen to the subwoofer. Resist
all temptations to turn up the volume
control. Play something with really deep
bass to confirm that your subwoofer is
working.”
Record your favorite settings here:
Note:
Some Home Theater processors and
receivers have an internal crossover
adjustment which allows you to vary how
much of the bass frequency range is sent
to the subwoofer.
In these systems, it is recommended
that you set your subwoofer's own
crossover control to maximum frequency,
or "Bypass." You can then make any
crossover frequency adjustments using
your Home Theater processor or receiver
controls.
If the subwoofer’s internal crossover
is set to a frequency lower than the one
on your Home Theater processor or
receiver, there would be a hole in the
mid-bass, and bass information would be
missing.