A home theater crossover is a critical component for any home entertainment system. It’s primary purpose is to separate the audio signal into multiple frequency bands, with each band being sent to a separate speaker in the system. This allows for accurate and balanced sound reproduction.
The crossover allows you to select the frequency range that each speaker will receive. Generally speaking, the lower frequencies are sent to the subwoofer while higher frequencies are sent to satellite speakers or a center channel speaker.
The crossover setting you choose depends on your individual needs and preferences. However, there are some general rules of thumb that can guide you in setting up your crossover correctly.
Subwoofer Crossover Setting:
The subwoofer usually handles frequencies below 80Hz, so it’s best to set the crossover at around 80-100Hz for optimal performance. This ensures that all low-frequency sounds are sent to the subwoofer and not picked up by other speakers in the system, resulting in cleaner sound reproduction with more clarity and definition.
Satellite Speakers Crossover Setting:
Satellite speakers should be set at around 80-100Hz as well, but slightly higher than the subwoofer’s setting (e.g., around 120-150Hz). This ensures that all mid-range and high-frequency sounds are sent to these smaller speakers instead of being overpowered by the subwoofer.
Center Channel Speaker Crossover Setting:
A center channel speaker should be set at a slightly higher frequency than satellite speakers, typically between 150-200Hz. This allows it to accurately reproduce dialogue and other mid-range sounds without being overwhelmed by low or high frequencies from other sources in the system.
In short, when setting up your home theater crossover it’s important to choose settings that match your individual needs and preferences while also taking into account how each speaker will be utilized in your system. A good rule of thumb is to set your subwoofer at around 80-100Hz, satellite speakers at around 120-150Hz, and center channel speakers at 150-200Hz for optimal performance.
Conclusion:
When choosing what your home theater crossover should be set at, it’s important to consider both your individual needs and how each speaker will be used in your audio system; a good rule of thumb is for a subwoofer between 80 – 100 Hz; satellite speakers between 120 – 150 Hz; and center channel speakers between 150 – 200 Hz for optimal performance.