After reading the following statement in the owner's manual for Denon's AVR-3808CI, I was wondering how exactly I should configure my EP500?

When Using a subwoofer with a setting function, make the following settings before starting the auto setup procedure:
- Volume: "Center"
- Crossover frequency: "Maximum"
- Low pass filter: "Off"
- Standby mode: "Off"

Volume seems easy enough, as does standby mode, and I don't think there's any low pass filter to worry about, but what about the crossover frequency? The receiver seems to be able to handle many settings, and it's default is 80Hz. But if the Audyssey program wants me to set the sub crossover to maximum before I run it, should I turn the crossover all the way up to 100 or bypass on the EP500?

The instruction manual for my EP500 tells me to set the crossover to Bypass if I'm using a receiver, but now I've noticed that the manual on-line has changed. Now it states: "If you are using the Bass Management crossover menu settings in your A/V receiver or processor, turn the subwoofer crossover control to the setting at or just above the highest crossover point you selected on your AV receiver menu, i.e. for a 90-Hz or higher receiver menu setting, use “Bypass” on the sub (“Bypass” selects a 150-Hz crossover), for 70 – 80 Hz on the AV receiver’s menu, use 80 Hz on the sub, and so on. If your left and right front satellite speakers have a woofer diameter of 4 inches or less, use the 150-Hz “Bypass” setting on your subwoofer to enable a smoother transition between your subwoofer and satellites."

Bayne,

I suggest you use "bypass" to start. But I also suggest that you tweak as your time permits to arrive at the optimum configuration.

Use bypass.

Isn't turning the crossover frequency to the max the same as using bypass, since many subs (EP350 for example) don't have a bypass mode?

Similar but not identical result, Michael. Setting it to the maximum would apply a low pass somewhere near that frequency(sub low pass filters frequently are somewhat off the marked frequencies), but would have essentially no effect at the lower frequency set by the receiver. Setting bypass on most subs completely bypasses the internal sub filter and relies on the receiver bass management since the sub would then have absolutely no effect on the crossover frequency.