i am currently using my 2 front towers and subwoofer until my center speaker cable comes in. I just purchased a fiber optic cable for my dvd player and would like to know, which format should i use on my 950. Keep in mind that i am only using my front towers and subwoofer. I was using 5-stereo before with my analog hookup for my dvd player and everything played fine. The optical connection automatically swithches to dd or one of the other surround formats, but i can't choose 5 stereo anymore. Which format is best? Thanks,

Not to sound rude, but pick up two speakers and start enjoying surround sound. It really makes all the difference. I use two cheap, as in free, speakers for my surrounds and the experience is fine. Look for something used if you don't want to spend all that much money. Just my .02 cents...

I am going to pick up my rears when I have the time and money. I have already spent 8-9K for my system, I don't think that i will stop and not have surrounds. I have moved into a new house and we are furnishing the house and I am piecing my system in between. Please, don't think somebody is cheap, when you don't know all the facts. I purchased the 950/770 combo from Steve about 2 months ago, why would i only use 2 speakers with a 7 channel amp. Go figure.

Thanks,

Until you add surround speakers, I'd recommend just using stereo -- that will insure that you aren't steering information to speakers that aren't there. If you set the mains to "small" the 950's bass management will feed the subwoofer.

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gonk -- 950 Review | LFM-1 Review | Pre/Pro Comparison Chart | Saloon Links

Hey...relax. No offense meant. It was just an idea.

Trust in the Gonk, use stereo.

I talked to Steve at Outlaw, and he said in the meantime set the mains at large and set the center to small. I am to choose none for the surround and center (until I get the cables for the center) and that should allow me to have 2.1.

Thanks for the response,

Hello marcpam,

I spoke with Steve about this and I think there may have been some miscommunication here. We recommend that you set your main speakers to "small", and center speaker to "none" until you acquire the cabling to actually connect your center channel. Once you can connect your center channel also set that to "small". The sub setting should be "on" in both configurations. With your speakers, only set your main speakers to "large" and sub to "none" if you do not have a subwoofer.

Regards,

Scott

[This message has been edited by Scott (edited June 02, 2004).]

Scott,

My front speakers are polk rti12's, which are rated at 50-500 watts per speaker. I looked in the manual, and it says Bass Management settings: Front=Large. Should I still set my mains to small? Please give me your feedback

Oh yea, my overall frequency response on the front towers are 18hz-27khz

Thanks,

[This message has been edited by marcpam (edited June 02, 2004).]

[This message has been edited by marcpam (edited June 02, 2004).]

In order to have the subwoofer active, you have to set the Polk's to small -- otherwise, the bass management will send everything to the mains. The -3dB point on the RTi12's is listed on Crutchfield at 30Hz ("frequency response 30-26,000 Hz (-3dB) "), so I'd recommend experimenting with both the 40Hz and 60Hz crossover points. There is a rule of thumb that I've heard several times that suggests setting your crossover point at twice the -3dB frequency, which is why I suggest trying the 60Hz point out. In fact, the -3dB point on my Studio 60's is 30Hz and I'm using the 60Hz crossover with them.

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gonk -- 950 Review | LFM-1 Review | Pre/Pro Comparison Chart | Saloon Links

[This message has been edited by gonk (edited June 03, 2004).]

As I understand it, you are also using an external subwoofer. If this is the case your main speakers will need to be set to "small", otherwise the sub will not receive a signal in stereo mode. If you are not using a subwoofer, you'll have to set them to "Large". Based on Polk's specs of a +/-3dB at 30Hz, you should use either the 40 Hz or 60 Hz setting (whichever sounds better to your ears- with your subwoofer). Feel free to drop us a line if you would like to discuss this further.

Regards,

Scott