Hi All,
New member, hoping to get some clarity on some baseline HPF & LPF settings for a new sub set up in my 2 ch system.
Set-Up:
I understand how to set the filters on a multi-channel amp when splitting LP to subs and HP to mains, etc (e.g. car audio). However, I have a bit of a pretzel in my head on setting it for a mono amp, in this scenario.
Manufacturer recommends setting the LPF at ~45hz as a starting point with my mains. Based on this, would I set the HPF to 30hz (the lowest setting) - thereby allowing 30-45hz to pass through? I could then adjust the LPF up until the desired match with my mains?
More simply, the HPF needs to be set lower than the LPF in this instance. Otherwise I’d be filtering out any frequencies below the HPF settings. Am I thinking about this correctly?
Thanks in advance.
New member, hoping to get some clarity on some baseline HPF & LPF settings for a new sub set up in my 2 ch system.
Set-Up:
- Passive sub with separate mono amplifier.
- Amp has both a HPF and LPF, each with a range of 30 - 100Hz (24db).
- The sub is flat to 20hz (mfc spec)
- RCA Input signal is full range with no DSP.
I understand how to set the filters on a multi-channel amp when splitting LP to subs and HP to mains, etc (e.g. car audio). However, I have a bit of a pretzel in my head on setting it for a mono amp, in this scenario.
Manufacturer recommends setting the LPF at ~45hz as a starting point with my mains. Based on this, would I set the HPF to 30hz (the lowest setting) - thereby allowing 30-45hz to pass through? I could then adjust the LPF up until the desired match with my mains?
More simply, the HPF needs to be set lower than the LPF in this instance. Otherwise I’d be filtering out any frequencies below the HPF settings. Am I thinking about this correctly?
Thanks in advance.
Is the sub in a sealed enclosure? If so I'd suggest not using a HPF at all.. especially if you want to use the lowend extension of the sub.
Thanks. It is not sealed, it’s a ported enclosure. Unfortunately, I don’t believe I can bypass the HPF, so I have to set it. (There is a HPF and LPF dial)
Note: the “HPF” on this amp is from 30-100Hz (same range as the LPF). Which is why I’m struggling a bit and thinking I have to set the HPF below the LPF…?
Note: the “HPF” on this amp is from 30-100Hz (same range as the LPF). Which is why I’m struggling a bit and thinking I have to set the HPF below the LPF…?
Yes the high pass(low cut) filter should be set as low as possible in this case, and the low pass should end up somewhere around the natural rolloff of the main speakers.
If the HPF is not set below the LPF the filters will pass almost no signal into the sub.
If you can't bypass the HPF, you are stuck setting it at 30Hz and killing the 20-30 Hz range of your "flat to 20Hz" ported sub enclosure.
The ported sub should be high passed just below it's tuning frequency, which would be near 20Hz if it were "flat to 20Hz".
If you can't bypass the HPF, you are stuck setting it at 30Hz and killing the 20-30 Hz range of your "flat to 20Hz" ported sub enclosure.
The ported sub should be high passed just below it's tuning frequency, which would be near 20Hz if it were "flat to 20Hz".
Thanks!
Thanks, this what I was thinking! It makes sense logically, but for whatever reason I was confusing myself - lol. Super helpful!
Thats a really good question. I initially thought that as well, however since its range is limited to 30-100Hz, I didn’t think it would be. But….maybe based on @weltersys comment below, it is for the outputs..(it would make sense)
I’ll double check with the manufacturer on that. (I’ll also play with it and see if it effects the input to the sub)
Thanks a bunch for the responses. Super helpful!!
The frequency would ordinarily be near the same so your comment about 30-100 doesn’t mean it isn’t so. Better to look at the connectors or read the manual.
Would you share details of the amp?
Someone here might be able to guide you even if there aren't many details in the manual
Someone here might be able to guide you even if there aren't many details in the manual
Sure, it’s an Aerial Acoustics amp, specifically for the S1SW sub.
I’m not sure who manufactured the amp for Aerial, but it’s made to pair with the Aerial S1SW.
I’m not sure who manufactured the amp for Aerial, but it’s made to pair with the Aerial S1SW.
OK I think I see why you are confused. I just found the website for this amp and it appears it has a full 2-way crossover built-in and there is no mention of a subsonic filter.. which is what we all had assumed the HP adjustment was for. The amp also has high pass signal level outputs on the rear panel.
All this means the functionality is the opposite of what we were saying above, the low pass still sets the signal going to the internal amp for the sub but it will pass signals all the way down to DC or single digits anyway and the high pass is what you should then connect to whatever amp is powering you main speakers... or simply not use it.
This comes down to the two ways subs are integrated in a system... to augment the LF output of the mains or to replace the LF output of the mains.
Augmenting means both the sub and the mains attempt to cover all low frequency content, this introduces some phase coherency challenges but it can work well in the home audio setting.
Replacing means it's only the sub that produces LF content, this takes the load of reproducing these wavelengths away from the mains and that can result in much improved mids clarity particularly at higher drive levels where doppler distortion results when the low-mid driver works at high excursion levels trying to reproduce the LF content.
Your choice how you want to use this, try both to see/hear what you like better. I generally use the replace method but I have the system in my truck setup with the sub augmenting the mains at the moment as it produced better sounding results... but I had to play around with the crossover slopes and phase between subs and mains to make it work.
All this means the functionality is the opposite of what we were saying above, the low pass still sets the signal going to the internal amp for the sub but it will pass signals all the way down to DC or single digits anyway and the high pass is what you should then connect to whatever amp is powering you main speakers... or simply not use it.
This comes down to the two ways subs are integrated in a system... to augment the LF output of the mains or to replace the LF output of the mains.
Augmenting means both the sub and the mains attempt to cover all low frequency content, this introduces some phase coherency challenges but it can work well in the home audio setting.
Replacing means it's only the sub that produces LF content, this takes the load of reproducing these wavelengths away from the mains and that can result in much improved mids clarity particularly at higher drive levels where doppler distortion results when the low-mid driver works at high excursion levels trying to reproduce the LF content.
Your choice how you want to use this, try both to see/hear what you like better. I generally use the replace method but I have the system in my truck setup with the sub augmenting the mains at the moment as it produced better sounding results... but I had to play around with the crossover slopes and phase between subs and mains to make it work.
Ok -wow, thanks for the additional info! So this makes a lot more sense now. I’ve been talking to Michael Kelly at Aerial (via email) and he provided the recommended LP setting at 45Hz as a starting point, but didn’t provide a HP setting (hence my confusion, I assumed it was a subsonic filter as well).
If I understand what you’re saying, the HP is indeed for the outputs only and wouldn’t impact the signal going to the internal amp powering the subs. Do I have that correct..?
My initial intent was to start with augmenting my mains (also Aerials). But could switch to replacing via the amp outs running to my primary amps powering the mains.
So in summary, if augmenting (not using the amp out’s) the HP setting shouldn’t really be doing anything?
If I understand what you’re saying, the HP is indeed for the outputs only and wouldn’t impact the signal going to the internal amp powering the subs. Do I have that correct..?
My initial intent was to start with augmenting my mains (also Aerials). But could switch to replacing via the amp outs running to my primary amps powering the mains.
So in summary, if augmenting (not using the amp out’s) the HP setting shouldn’t really be doing anything?
😎Light bulb….
It all makes perfect sense now, I didn’t really catch the “HP Outputs” in the description. Too many things going on at once, I guess - lol.
Thanks for all the help, it’s very much appreciated!!
It all makes perfect sense now, I didn’t really catch the “HP Outputs” in the description. Too many things going on at once, I guess - lol.
Thanks for all the help, it’s very much appreciated!!