Setting Bass Management

I am not sure how to effectively set the bass management on my 2150. I have my 2150 set up with a pair of Polk RT-20s and a Polk PSW 150 subwoofer. The RT-20s have 150 watt subwoofers built into them. Furthermore, the sub can be adjusted from 50Hz to 150Hz.
I have read the ideal setting for tower speakers is either 60Hz and 80Hz. Which is best?
Also, how shall I set the subwoofer?
Thanks for any suggestions and ideas.

I would start by crossing all of the subs at 80hz. You might consider running just the PSW-150 to get it located in the room (I prefer my PSW-125 on a sidewall firing across the room) then bring the onboard units in your RT-20's back into the mix adjusting their output levels to blend with the external cabinet.

This is just a WAG but my thought is you will want to back off the output levels in the RT'S letting the external sub do most of the heavy lifting.

Set the sub crossover a little higher than the lowest frequency the speakers are capable of responding to. If the speakers can go down as low as 40 hz then try the sub at 50 hz. Your mains are designed to be able to reproduce low frequencys by themselves and may not need the sub. Using the sub could allow for greater headroom on the amp feeding the mains but will steal some of the power of the mains.

For music reproduction with standard speakers I would agree with you Xenon. The RT in his RT 20's stands for Reference Theater. Polk had the THX standard in mind during the design process so 80hz is the correct crossover point in this instance. Trying to cross to low in this instance will result in a loss of midrange definition and clarity.

I assume he is using them for music because he has them connected to a RR2150 stereo receiver. With built in powered subs in each speaker I would think that the speakers are very capable at frequencies below 80hz and I would let them handle all of the material down to their rated condition. I would also try them with and without the sub because there just isn't a lot of music in the lowest ranges of sound.

The RT20 consists of two seperate systems in a single cabinet. The powered bass section seperated from the passive upper section. Crossover points between the upper and lower sections should be somewhere around 80hz as this is how they were designed. The Polk site shows the -3db point at 32hz though the reviews list it a bit higher. A good starting point for the transition from the powered component of the RT20 to the external bass cabinet is probably around 50hz to avoid over taxing the powered component of the RT's.


I get that these are most likely to be used for music reproduction but that does not change the design parameters of the speakers.

Thanks Everybody!

You are welcome. Play with the crossover points and phase adjustment to find what sounds right for your system and room. With the added bass and LFE support of the PSW 150 I would tend to set the crossover for the front right and left a bit higher tan you would if not using the PSW 150 just to keep stress levels down on the RT's.

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