Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Technical Questions Need help setting up my system

Hi,

I have owned Axiom speakers for years. I love them and have never regretted my purchase. I have 2 pairs of M3Ti book shelf speakers, a VP-50 centre, Harmon Kardon amplifier AVR-130 and a Polk Audio PSW125 subwoofer. I watch a lot of movies and find this set up awesome for my needs. I do also listen to music and it also sounds good. The only issue is that after doing some research i may have not set it up correctly and am wondering what I should do? My amp has several settings and I can set the frequency for every speaker. I also have options for big and small speaker and this is what I miss understood. From what I have read it does not mean whether it is a large or small speaker at all. It is for speakers that either play full range (large) and play frequencies under 100Hz. The other option small says it is for satelite speakers that are frequency limited and do not play frequencies under 100HZ. I am not able to find out what I would chose for my M3's and VP-50. I also am confused because when I chose either large or small I get more options for the subwoofer. When in small there are no options however when I chose large I have LFE and LFE right/left and from what I can gather it makes it so the sub plays the same frequencies as the front speakers or something like that. As you can tell I need help. I want the best sound of my 4 bookshelf speakers and centre. I also would like the best sounding base possible. I only picked up the sub 2 days ago as my other one finally died. I am also considering getting a second 8 inch sub (very good deal). That is another matter and will cross that bridge once I get the speakers and amplifier sorted out. Thanks for taking the time to read this and I apologize if i did not explain it properly. Happy new year!!

Oh and what frequencies should my fronts, rears and centre be set to? I can set anywhere from 40 to 200Hz. I also have a base management option that says global or independent. I do believe it is so I can have 2 separate settings for my speakers and can have 1 set to large and other to small. However I may be wrong. Thanks

Welcome to the forums. Unfortunately, it is 3:25am here on New Years day and I don't think that I have the coherentcy (yeah, I made of that word) to answer your questions, but I wanted to at least welcome you before I went to bed.

Andre, welcome to Axiom, and Happy New Year! My suggestion would be to set all your speakers to "Small"(I assume that you mean that the center is a VP150)with a 80Hz crossover between them and the sub. The frequency control on the back of the PSW125 should be turned all the way up, to get it out of the way of the 80Hz crossover that the AVR-130 is doing.

What JohnK said.

Also, welcome to the forum!

What they said. The jargon is different by brand, but universal rules are a good starting point. You can play with the crossover frequency. 80 is usually a good bet to set and forget.

I'll add that the LFE, LFE/leftright options should probably be left on just LFE.

What this avoids is playing bass frequencies below the crossover point in BOTH your mains and sub. Usually the mains are forced to large when using settings like this. A good idea perhaps if you have a huge room, or a wimpy sub.

You will gain amp headroom if you let the sub take over all low frequencies as well. Oh yeah, and another welcome!

Thanks for the warm welcome!!

Hey,
Thanks for the welcome. The centre channel is indeed an Axiom VP-50. I just double checked. It must be something they no longer sell. I have my centre set to 120HZ..my M3's set to 80hz. Does that sound right or should I set my centre to 80hz as well? Thanks again for replying

Huh, The center vp-50 does exist. Older model I guess. The frequency respnse quoted was 70hz on the low end. I'd leave it at 100hz for the crossover. There are mixed reviews on this center channel, I think owing to its small size and peoples big expectations. Probably be a huge upgrade in sound to get a new center channel eventually though.

Have you thought of getting another pair of m3s and using one as a center? Or sourcing a single? Probably the best bang for buck solution.

Or M2s. There is no need for that bass hump on a center channel. Personally, I would watch the deals section for a refurbed vp160.

Yeah. It is ok however I am considering getting the VP-160. I just picked up another sub. Just bought the Infinity PS-28 to go along with my PW-125. I have no lack of base now..lol. I have now set the centre to 100hz and the rears and fronts to 80hz. Thanks for all the input. I really want a pair of M60's or 80's.. Believe it or not there was a set of M60`s at the pawn shop for 230$. I went back the next week with money and they were sold. I am kicking myself for not buying them that day. I could cry...lol. Anyway thanks again. Cheers