Hi Guys,
I'm asking for your wisdom in helping me choose the right settings for my system.
(General guidelines or links to reading material would be great)
Mains: Quadral Platinum M50
Sub: JL Audio e112
I also use Dirac Live but unfortunately it does not handle Bass Management.
Last measurement I did the main's roll off started at 23-24Hz, on par with their spec.
They are ported and I've attached a port measurement from a review linked here - http://www.quadral.com/fileadmin/user_upload/Downloads/tests/Platinum_M50_HiFi_World_August_2013_engl..pdf
So which should it be?
Cross Slope - 12 or 24?
Routing Slope - ?
Cross Freq - RC has 40Hz as the lowest but I believe PEQ could be used if you think it would be better to set it lower. On the other hand I've read that it is beneficial to remove sub content from the amp's main channel and also the Sub is louder which makes me sometimes think of setting it at 60Hz for the kicks
I care mostly about music, mainly stereo upmixed to 2.1.
Much appreciated
There is always experimental trial and error. If you use Dirac, then you have a mike that can be used with REW. That can tell you what is best with test tones. But, likely, there will be little difference in frequency response after Dirac correction, regardless of xover frequency. However, REW can also let you measure for best time/phase alignment in the xover region by adjusting the distance to the sub channel for flattest output at the xover frequency. That was Mark Seaton's idea. Listening with music is much harder, because you need to try a cross section of many different music samples. And, we never know exactly what is actually on the recording.
I think some audiophiles tend to want to go too low with their crossover frequency if they have big mains with deep response. That will reduce some of the biamping advantages of using a sub. Personally, I would start at 80Hz and work down, but I doubt I would go below 60. I would do that on most any system, not just yours. I, personally, would not get into PEQ for xovers.
Xover slopes? You will have to experiment to decide. There are pros and cons of steeper vs. less steep.