Best frequency setting?

[GotToyota?]

My front speakers of my setup have a frequency response of 50hz-20kHZ, and my rear speakers are 80HZ - 50kHz. I currently have my receiver set to 80hz, is this the best setting? I never really understood much about this setting.

Also, I'm looking to get a new center channel. Is frequency the biggest thing I need to look for to match it up with my other speakers? I was thinking this Pioneer might do the job:

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=250-685

[Beta Man]

You should really have a Center that matches the L/R speakers...... it's called timber-matching, and it's done to ensure the soundstage is consistant..... for instance........


If something occurred from left to right on the screen...... say a woman, pushing a squeeky, rickety shopping cart...... You want it to sound like she's walking from left to right in the room, as you sit there....... if your center channel doesn't match the L/R, what will happen, is when she's walking along, squeeking etc.... and she gets to the point where the audio signals are telling your receiver she's towards the middle of your field of vision/screen...... the tone will change, and then change again when she gets to the right of the screen....

The variance can be hardly noticeable, or immensely noticeable depending on the speakers..... I know you're gonna try to match closely, but here's the example....

Imagine you have a tiny cube bose system, and getting new front speakers.... you get some big 15" woofers in three-way floor standing speakers, but don't have a center speaker, so you just use one of the little cubes from the bose system.......

You're gonna notice......


I'd either keep what center you have......
Buy new L/R and Center
or buy a new center that matches if your current one doesn't

[GotToyota?]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

You should really have a Center that matches the L/R speakers...... it's called timber-matching, and it's done to ensure the soundstage is consistant..... for instance........


If something occurred from left to right on the screen...... say a woman, pushing a squeeky, rickety shopping cart...... You want it to sound like she's walking from left to right in the room, as you sit there....... if your center channel doesn't match the L/R, what will happen, is when she's walking along, squeeking etc.... and she gets to the point where the audio signals are telling your receiver she's towards the middle of your field of vision/screen...... the tone will change, and then change again when she gets to the right of the screen....

The variance can be hardly noticeable, or immensely noticeable depending on the speakers..... I know you're gonna try to match closely, but here's the example....

Imagine you have a tiny cube bose system, and getting new front speakers.... you get some big 15" woofers in three-way floor standing speakers, but don't have a center speaker, so you just use one of the little cubes from the bose system.......

You're gonna notice......


I'd either keep what center you have......
Buy new L/R and Center
or buy a new center that matches if your current one doesn't

Yeah, I have a crappy little Sony HTIB center for now, so I'm trying to get one that will match as best as possible to my front speakers because Insignia doesn't make center channels.

And any idea on the frequency setting?

[kingofgrills]

I assume for the frequency setting you're trying to find the best crossover setting for the LFE signal sent to your subwoofer, right? It all depends on your particular receiver, speakers, and subwoofer. If the low end of your speakers is truly 50, and you don't have a steep drop off as you hit 50, then 80 might be acceptable.

The basic rule of thumb calls for you to use the lowest you can get away with not having a frequency drop in the audible range. You also don't want to set it higher than you have to, because higher frequencies start becoming directional - meaning you can localize the origin of the frequency. If you set things correctly, and it's a decent subwoofer, you should never be able to audibly pinpoint its location in the room. If you can pinpoint the location of the sub, some adjustments are necessary in sound levels, crossover point, or placement.

Also, to get back to your question on speaker matching, you should ideally make sure all of your speakers are timbre matched. Besides just seamlessly panning from left to right, your sound should seamlessly pass in all directions.