Sunfire HRS-8, HRS-10, HRS-12 user manual Adjusting the controls, Record your favorite settings here

Adjusting the controls

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 24, page 31, 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 2. 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 3. 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.

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 2.

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.

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