Bass volume and LFE

[Nigel_Pl]

Hey all,

I have a little problem that I hope can get sorted out.

One of the methods when integrating the TN-1220 with the front right and left speakers is to set the receiver to NO SUBWOOFER to re-route the LFE bass to the front channels. The output of the front channels are then fed into the hsu 250W amp which crosses over at 60Hz feeding the bass to the TN-1220 and the higher frequencies to the front speakers.

Using "The Ultimate DVD Platinum" setup disc to adjust volume levels for...

Stereo
Main speaker levels are set at 80db using pink noise.
Subwoofer level is set at 83db using band pass pink noise
(The test disc instructs for the subwoofer level to be set 3db higher than the mains)

Because my subwoofer is set to NONE I cannot adjust its levels with the receiver and have to adjust the volume knob on the TN amp.

The problem arises when I adjust the volume levels for...

Dolby Digital 5.1
All Channels are set at 80db using pink noise
The LFE signal which has been redirected to the mains which is then crossed over by the Hsu amp reads 76-77db. This is really low compared to the 83db in the stereo band pass test. If I adjust the volume knob on the Hsu amp so that the LFE levels are at 83db, the re-routed bass levels would be 89db which is 6db higher than the test disc recommended for the stereo test.

I've experienced the same drop in LFE levels with other receivers when the Subwoofer is set to NONE. I am aware that some DVD's are mixed so that the bass from the mains are copied into the LFE channel while others have bass exclusive to the LFE which would result in the LFE bass in my current setup to be a little too soft.

Does this mean I'd be better off not redirecting the LFE signal to the mains for Dolby Digital? It would also mean I would not able to utilise the Hsu amps high pass crossover.

Any help would be great.

Regards,
Nige

[Sasha_G]

Nigel,

We normally recommend people use the LFE if they have it. It has a high pass filter and a low pass filter, so all the crossover work is handled by the receiver.

What is the slope of your receiver's crossover? Sometimes they are 6 db/ octave, other time they are 24 dB /octave.

[Nigel_Pl]

Hi Sasha

I'm not too sure what the slope of the receivers crossover is. The crossover frequency of the receiver is 100Hz which is too high which is why I'd rather run the mains and the surrounds as LARGE. I only have the centre channel set as SMALL so the low frequencies are redirected to the mains. The crossover for the HSU amp is around 60Hz. If I did enable my Subwoofer to YES then the bass from the Center would be redirected to just the Subwoofer and I'd be losing the frequencies between 60-100Hz.

Dr Hsu replied to a private post on this and I think the only way I'll be able to get close to perfect integration is by upgrading to a receiver that allows crossover points to be set for each channel. I upgraded to this receiver because I thought it would provide me with better integration...the previous Sony DB930 amp I had would redirect the LFE to ALL large speakers which included the rear speakers which could have damaged them during loud passages.

I currently use the Marantz SR5300 receiver with a Rotel RMB 1075 amp. The Sony DB790 looks like it has adjustable crossovers for all channels like the previous DB1080. I Just hope the pre amp circuitry in the DB790 is a clean as the Marantz. Wouldn't you just love to have enough money for a perfect audio system? :)

Thanks Sasha.

Regards,
Nige