Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater EP500 questions

Well now that I am upgrading from the EP175 to the EP500 what changes should I make in my settings if any. I currently have 2 M22s, VP100 and 2QS8s. And my Crossover is set at 80Hz. Just want to make sure I know what to change for this new sub if anything. Also I noticed some new things on the back of this sub (trim control)So what should that be at?

You will have to recalibrate your system so the sub is at the same dB's as the other speakers, normally 75dB's. This can be accomplished using an SPL meter, or the built in tones/mic of most receivers. With the EP subs, you will find that the volume (gain) knob will most likely have to be very low, like 6-7 o'clock position, to set to 75dB's.

Most leave trim on Flat for the flatest frequency response, however, some smaller/med rooms might enjoy the half or full setting which elevate the frequencies in the 30-50 Hz range, only time will tell for you.

The crossover knob should be on bypass, or cranked to the highest setting since your receiver handles the bass management. I would start with 80hz on the other speakers. However after running Audyssey on my Denon, I use 90hz for the Qs8's and 80hz for the other speakers.

You can leave the crossover set on your receiver the same at 80 however you will have to adjust the trim controls on the receiver and on the EP500 accordingly.

Guy, no change in the crossover to the M22s needed, but do pay some attention to the Trim control. Contrary to what some imagine, the smaller the room the bigger the boost it gives to the very low bass frequencies. The Trim control tries to establish a better overall bass balance in less than very large rooms by boosting the mid-bass frequencies to compensate for room gain at very low frequencies. You may well find that the bass is less boomy with Trim at Half or even Full.

Well this is in my bedroom but I like to be able to feel my music which the EP175 really didnt satisfy me but it was fine for movies. I didnt understand what sirquack meant about setting the DBs I dont think my A/V even has that setting or it has it called something else. It does have what it calls "channel level" which is in DBs but my manual says in general to leave the LFE level to be adjusted to 0dB (however the recommended LFE level for some early DTS software is -10dB) I dont really get that yet I still am a rookie. It does have auto calibrate with the microphone which I tried and I didnt like how it sounded when it was done so I did not use those settings. Now back to the channel level which I have at 0dBs on all the speakers according to sirquack I should put it at 75dbs Is that right??

This is a simplified version, there are plenty of detailed calibrations threads on here and other home theater sites. But here's what you want to do...

Get a dB meter, possibly from RadioShack.

Find the a test tone generator with pink noise, either built into the receiver or on a disc.

Start with the left, main channel. With its trim set to +0 turn the main volume control up until the test tone is being measured as 75 dB from your primary listening position.

Now go through the rest of the channels without touching the main volume, only adjusting their trim levels up or down to get them to also be playing the test tone at 75 dB.

Finally with the sub, set the receiver trim to 0 and use the gain knob on the back of the sub to get its playback to 75 dB.

I used my auto configure again with the setup mic and when it was done it put my crossovers at 200hz. That cant be right so I put it back to 80hz. Any ideas why it set it at that?

If I would have had the space in my bedroom I probably would have upgraded the front speakers from the M22s to the M80s instead of the sub EP175 to the EP500 it would have cost the same. But no matter thats what I plan to get for my living room once I figure out what components I want. But with the EP500 will I even notice? I hope there is a improvement musically.

I think most of these programs like Audyssey, at best only give you a starting point. I had some really strange numbers when I used it on my setup.

I would agree with Adrian. This last weekend I got a call from my friend, he had just purchased an Onkyo HTIB (S5200 I think it was). He was pretty upset with it, and was considering it a blown $400 until I asked if he had calibrated the system with anything other than the built in Audyssey. After we played around with the settings by ear, it was a night and day difference. For some reason the automated EQ had set the center channel and subwoofer at -12 db each, and so he assumed that the system just had no bass or dialogue... Anyhow, night and day difference after calibrating the system just by ear (no SPL meter).

I was so shocked by the difference that I'll probably grab a real SPL meter next time im passing a radio shack.