Optimizing Speaker Setup

I ran auto-setup and it defaulted to the following settings:

Speaker Size
Front L/R: SMALL
Center: SMALL
Subwoofer: LFE ONLY

Speaker X-OVER
Front L/R: 100Hz
Center: 100Hz

Surround Config
Night Mode: off
Panaroma: off
Center width: step 0
Dimension: 0
HP Mode: DH1
2CH SUB OFFSET: 0dB

Channel Calibration
Test Tone: OFF
Front Left: 0 dB
Center: 0 dB
Front Right: 0 dB
Subwoofer 0 dB

Delay
Delay Unit: Feet
Front Left: 8 feet
Center: 8 feet
Front Right: 8 feet
Subwoofer: 6 feet

System Config
OSD TIME OUT: 15 SEC
Display Time Out: ON
Volume Default: Last
Default VOL Set: -26dB
Bass: 0 dB
Treble: 0 dB
Sleep: OFF
Theater COMP: OFF
System lock: OFF

Question, should I change any of the above settings to improve sonic performance?

Note: I only have my Front L/R and Center connected at the moment.

Thanks,
Danny

Auto setup only adjusts the speaker size, channel calibration, and delay (distance) settings - I'm not sure if it adjusts the crossover points or not, since I set them manually anyway.

To determine bass management settings, we need to know what speakers you have. I see from some other posts that you have a HSU subwoofer, so we know that having the sub engaged is the right choice. The crossovers may be able to be adjusted down, but the optimal setting depends on the frequency response of your speakers.

If you use Pro Logic II/IIx in Music mode, the Panorama, Center Width, and Dimension settings are applicable, but with no surrounds I doubt they'll be of much use to you. For any other processing mode, those settings aren't applicable anyway.

On the System Config menu, I set my Volume Default to Default and my Default Volume Setting to -35dB. This has nothing to do with sonic performance, but it guarantees that I never get my ears blasted when turning the system on: it always starts at a comfortable volume for watching TV.

Let us know what speakers you have and we can try to dial in those crossover settings.

Front L/R: Paradigm Reference 300 Series
Center: Paradigm Reference 30 Series
Suround L/R: Paradigm Reference 20 Series (not hooked up yet, soon to be)
Back Surround L/R: Paradigm Reference 20 Series (not hooked up yet, soon to be)

BTW, I had an old firmware version (3.7 or something). I am installing the new one as we speak.

Thanks,
Danny

Here is the datasheet for my speakers.
http://www.paradigm.com/Website/SiteReferenceProduct/RModels/millenia/MilleniaSpecs.html

I have changed the Volume Default to -40 dB. My speakers are loud. :-)

What should my X-over settings be at?

Thanks,
Danny

I'd suggest starting with the following crossovers, although (as with many things in this hobby) there's nothing sacred about these.

FRONT: 100Hz (based on -2dB point of 87Hz)
CENTER: 120Hz (based on a -2dB point of 110Hz)
SURROUND: 120Hz (based on a -2dB point of 110Hz)
BACK SURROUND: 120Hz (based on a -2dB point of 110Hz)

You could potentially lower these by one setting (to 80Hz and 100Hz), but I suspect you'll get a smoother overall response with these settings.

Along the same lines,

What should my crossover settings be based upon the following:

front/center/surround

http://www.roundsound.com/reference-speakers.htm

surround

http://www.magnepan.com/model_MMG

...and what is the method to the madness in figuring this out?

Thanks,

Aaron

The key to getting some idea of where to set your crossovers is knowing what the frequency response of your speakers is. Specifically, what is the -3dB point? That is the point at which the speaker has rolled off enough that you are going to have an audible decrease in output. You want your crossover to be at or a bit above that point. In some cases, people recommend going up one octave band for the crossover (which would be doubling the -3dB frequency), but that's a rather conservative approach and stepping up at least 10Hz or so is usually a pretty reasonable place to start.

In the case of your speakers, we have the following:

• Gallo Ref. 3.1 -3dB point: 34Hz (22Hz with powered sub)
• Gallo AV C and AV M -3dB point: 55Hz
• Magnepan MMG -3dB point: 50Hz

I'd use a 40Hz crossover for the Ref 3.1 (or run it large with the powered sub in the mix), at least a 60Hz crossover for the AV C and AV M (with 80Hz as an option worth playing with), and 60Hz for the MMG.

gonk,

Thank you very much for explaining that. I sincerely appreciate it.

Aaron

Do I need to change anything else other than the X-over?

Dumb question... When you say "-XdB point" do you mean to change the dB in channel calibration to match the number you mention?

Ignore that last 'dumb question'. I see its not related and calibration is related to balancing the channels.

Changing the crossover should be all you need. If you find yourself experimenting with Pro Logic II Music mode (surround processing for two-channel sources), you would do well to re-visit the three settings under Surround Config, but that's sort of secondary.

I hooked up my surround back L/R and its not playing any music. I tried setting it on 5ch and 7ch with no luck.

Dumb question. If I only have 5.1 speakers and I am awaiting on two (makes 7.1) to arrive should I plug the two speakers I have now into the Surround Back L/R or the Surround L/R? I figured they should go in the back.

I ran auto setup and it found the back surround speakers but for some reason it didn't set the speakers to "small" all thats there is ---.

Also, I can't change the channel calibration. there is three -'s for the back speakers.

Thanks,
cugine

They need to go on surround, not surround back. The surround back speakers are 6 and 7, while the surround (side surround) are 4 and 5.