User Manual
15
A Brief Tutorial on Studio Monitors
6. Turn your full-range monitors back on, play program music with a lot of bass in it through your
new 2.1 system, and experiment with the polarity switch on your subwoofer to see which position
provides the best bass response at your mix position. Leave the polarity switch in the position that
provided the loudest bass response. This means that your subwoofer is in phase with your full-
range system.
Note: If you set each full-range model to a lower level than 82 dB, you will want to do the same with
your subwoofer. For example, if you set each full-range monitor to 79 dB, reduce your subwoofer by
-3 dB as well (to 76 dB).
Setting The Crossover Transition
Many full-range monitors (like the Eris, R-series, Sceptre lines) provide a highpass filter for bass management. These
highpass filters are usually not fully variable but often a few dierent frequency-cuto options will be available.
Some subwoofers (like the Temblor T8 and T10) also provide a highpass filter on the outputs for this purpose.
Depending on the system, leaving frequency content below 60 to 120 Hz in your full-range monitors can introduce
destructive cancellation and reinforcement with the highest frequencies that are reproduced by your subwoofer.
Using a highpass filter on your full-range monitors will remove these frequencies and help you to create a more
seamless crossover transition with your subwoofer.
If your subwoofer, like the Temblor series, provides a variable lowpass filter, your job is made a little easier in that you
have more control over the crossover point.
The first rule of thumb when dialing in the crossover transition in your 2.1 system is to listen. Depending on the
frequency range of your full-range monitors and your subwoofer, you may not have to do much. For example, if the
lowest frequency your full-range monitors can reliably reproduce is between 70 and 80 Hz, you may not have to do
anything but plug in your subwoofer. If, however, your full-range monitors are accurate below 60 Hz, you will most
likely need to use the following instructions to configure your crossover network.
If your subwoofer provides a variable lowpass filter:
1. Set the highpass filter for your full-range monitors using either their onboard controls or the highpass filter on your
subwoofer.
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GND
2. Set the lowpass filter on your subwoofer to the same
frequency. For example, if you are engaging an 80 Hz highpass
filter on your full range monitors, set the variable lowpass filter
on your subwoofer to 80 Hz.
From this point you can experiment with the lowpass filter
setting that provides the smoothest crossover transition while
listening to your favorite music. Again, your subwoofer should
naturally extend the low-frequency response of your monitor
system. You should not hear any frequency boosts or cuts.
Once your system is properly calibrated, listen to a wide
variety of your favorite music and mixes and make any final
adjustments. At the end of the day, your ears are the best tools
you have in the studio.
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