Filed under: System Setup
One of our EPICENTRIX (I just did it that
way to give you some scale compared to other centre channels) clients contacted
us the other day with an initial inquiry which I thought had an easy answer.
Scott Walker asked whether we recommended setting the speakers in the processor or
receiver to “small” or “large”. Given that Scott’s using an
Epicentrix and intends using Neuphonix in the future I advised that he should set
them to “large”. This has usually been the case as the setting is determined by
the frequency response of the speaker. Scott mentioned that he had indeed read
much to the contrary, and I would have to say that after some research I have
also read the same. Supporters of this theory claim that you will
get better sound “unless your subwoofer is not up to standard” although my argument here would be perhaps if your system sounds better set to small maybe your main and
centre channels are not up to standard. Scott also mentioned “…I would assume
that when Krix install, for instance, their commercial speaker KX-5986A 4-way
array (which by the way is THX certified) would then set the processor for the
speaker setting to large”. Congratulations Scott, you are the winner. When I
asked Scott Krix to comment on settings for commercial speakers he informed me that most commercial theatre systems were rolled of at
anywhere between 60 to 100 Hz. Mr. Walker is interested in what people have to
say about this subject and so am I. My feeling is this: as always
experimentation is the key. Try both for yourself and draw your own
conclusions. I am sure we
can make up our own minds. Maybe some systems do sound better if the mains are
set to small especially where you wish to increase power handling or when using smaller loudspeakers, otherwise in my experience if you are using loudspeakers that provide a
quality signal below 100Hz I would set them to large. The problem with creating absolute rules is that not every setting will suit every system in every environment. But feel free to correct
me. Both Scott (Walker)
and myself are open to criticism. On the other hand anyone criticising the
Godfather of Cinema in Australia
(Scott Krix for the late arrivals) will hereby be banished from this country
forthwith. Unpatriotic sods!
