Def. Tech Fronts - LFE Question

[Big Daddy]

You have to distinguish between the LFE (.1) bass and the bass that goes to the other speakers. Theoretically, all 5 channels receive full range signals. What comes out of the subwoofer is the LFE (.1) channel (put there by sound engineers) plus the redirected bass below the high pass filters (crossovers) from the speakers that are set to SMALL.

It is also important to remember that the LFE (.1) channel has signals up to 120Hz. That is why the Low Pass Filter (LPF) of the LFE channel should be set to 120Hz in the receiver's menu.

Unfortunately, receivers do bass management differently, depending on the age of the receiver and/or the manufacturer. In general, we can make the following conclusions.

Case 1.
Set all speakers to LARGE
Subwoofer: NO

There will be not any sound through the LFE channel. The LFE (.1) bass will be redirected to the front speakers.

Case 2.
Set all speakers to LARGE
Subwoofer: YES (if the receiver allows this)

The subwoofer receives the LFE (.1) information. All other speakers receive their full range frequencies.

Case 3.
Set the front speakers to LARGE. All other speakers to SMALL.
Subwoofer: NO

The front speakers receive the redirected LFE (.1) channel plus the redirected bass from the other speakers.

Case 4.
Set front speakers to LARGE. All other speakers to SMALL.
Subwoofer: YES

The front speakers receive their full range signals. The subwoofer receives the LFE (.1) channel plus the redirected bass below the high pass filters (crossovers) of the speakers that are set to SMALL.

Case 5.
Set the front and all other speakers to SMALL.

In this case, the subwoofer has to be set to YES. Most, if not all, receivers will set it to YES by default.

The speakers receive the signals above the high pass filters (crossovers). The subwoofer receives the LFE (.1) channel plus the redirected bass from all the speakers, including the front speakers.