Sunfire HRS-12 User Manual

User's Manual

15

There are two main methods for adjust-

ing the volume, crossover frequency and 

phase controls to match a system:

• 

Preferred method: By listening and 

making the adjustments to suit your 

taste.

• 

Laboratory method: By measur-

ing the output with a microphone 

and adjusting for a flat frequency 

response.

Excellent results can be obtained if you 

make the adjustments based on simply 

listening. This is our preferred method as 

it allows the system to be voiced based 

on what sounds the best, whereas labo-

ratory-flat frequency response can often 

be clinical and less than exciting.

The following procedure is for those 

who prefer a more methodical and scien-

tific approach. This excerpt is from “The 

Audio Critic,” issue 4, page 1, written 

by contributing editor David Rich, and is 

reprinted here with their kind permission. 

You will need a test CD with low-fre-

quency warble tones, and a sound pres-

sure-level meter. The Radio Shack

®

 SPL 

meter will do fine, as will the Stereophile

 

test CD.

“Step 1.  Disconnect the subwoofer 

and run the main speaker with a tone in 

its passband (80-100 Hz). Measure the 

level.

Step .  Disconnect the main speaker 

and reconnect the subwoofer. Set the 

subwoofer to its highest crossover 

frequency. Set the volume control of the 

subwoofer to give the same sound pres-

sure level with the same tone you used 

in Step 1.

Step .  With both the subwoofer and 

the main speaker connected, measure 

the level of the tones at the available 

frequencies.  Because the crossover 

is set too high, you will have a peaked 

response. Adjust the crossover control to 

get the smoothest response.

Adjusting the controls

Step 4.  Use the phase control to make 

the response even smoother. It has its 

biggest effect at the crossover frequency. 

You can iterate between the crossover 

and the phase controls. Keep your hands 

off the volume control! It was set correctly 

in step .

Step 5.  Listen to the subwoofer. Resist 

all temptations to turn up the volume 

control. Play something with really deep 

bass to confirm that your subwoofer is 

working.”

Note:

Some Home Theater processors and 

receivers have an internal crossover 

adjustment which allows you to vary how 

much of the bass frequency range is sent 

to the subwoofer. 

In these systems, it is recommended 

that you set your subwoofer's own 

crossover control to maximum frequency, 

or "Bypass." You can then make any 

crossover frequency adjustments using 

your Home Theater processor or receiver 

controls.

If the subwoofer’s internal crossover 

is set to a frequency lower than the one 

on your Home Theater processor or 

receiver, there would be a hole in the 

mid-bass, and bass information would be 

missing.