[hoonywise]

Hello, I need help with the MS-8 setup, specifically with setting the most optimal crossover freq values.

My speaker and amp setup is currently:

Front: Focal IFBMW-S (amped)
Center: Focal 100CA1 (amped)
Rear: OEM L7 speakers wired in parallel (MS-8)
Underseat: SWS-8xi (amped)

I tried the following crossover and it sounds a bit hollow:

Hi Pass: 20hz / 24db
All speakers: 160hz / 24db

What I do when I do the initial setup, I turn down all the gains in the external amps all the way down. I configure the MS-8 (crossovers, acoustic measurements) first, then whebn I am done configuring, I turn the gains on the external amps back up to my liking.

Is this how to configure the system? I appreciate any advice you can give me.

[kaigoss69]

Originally Posted by hoonywise

Hello, I need help with the MS-8 setup, specifically with setting the most optimal crossover freq values.

My speaker and amp setup is currently:

Front: Focal IFBMW-S (amped)
Center: Focal 100CA1 (amped)
Rear: OEM L7 speakers wired in parallel (MS-8)
Underseat: SWS-8xi (amped)

I tried the following crossover and it sounds a bit hollow:

Hi Pass: 20hz / 24db
All speakers: 160hz / 24db

What I do when I do the initial setup, I turn down all the gains in the external amps all the way down. I configure the MS-8 (crossovers, acoustic measurements) first, then whebn I am done configuring, I turn the gains on the external amps back up to my liking.

Is this how to configure the system? I appreciate any advice you can give me.

Are the new speakers broken in? What speakers/crossover did you have with the old set-up?

[jeffb335]

you really should not be messing with the gain post calibration unless you trying to something specific (am I reading your post right?). Your gains should be should be in the ballpark before you calibrate....

also...."hollow" is how I would typically describe an out of phase set of speakers....so double and triple check the phase of your speakers.

[hoonywise]

Originally Posted by kaigoss69

Are the new speakers broken in? What speakers/crossover did you have with the old set-up?

Speakers are broken in I believe. Previously, I had L7 speakers amped by MS-8 and SWS-8x amped externally.

[hoonywise]

Originally Posted by jeffb335

you really should not be messing with the gain post calibration unless you trying to something specific (am I reading your post right?). Your gains should be should be in the ballpark before you calibrate....

also...."hollow" is how I would typically describe an out of phase set of speakers....so double and triple check the phase of your speakers.

Does that mean I should try to match the sound (raise the input level on the external amps) using the MS-8 using the white noise tool BEFORE calibration?

If that is the case, what about the amp that is powering SWS-8x? Should I raise the input BEFORE MS-8 calibration?

For my external amps powering the front, center and sws-8x, I have set them to "All Pass" and frequency knob all the way down. Please let me know if I should set it otherwise.

Sorry I am a newb at this..

[david in germany]

Try bringing the highs and mids up to 200hz HP Why are the rears run in parallel? this defeats the purpose of the MS-8 surround capabilities.

All of your amplifier crossovers should be set to all pass or full range.
You big problem is the SWS woofers. You will have a better SQ with running the stock L7 underseats.

[hoonywise]

Originally Posted by david in germany

Try bringing the highs and mids up to 200hz HP Why are the rears run in parallel? this defeats the purpose of the MS-8 surround capabilities.

All of your amplifier crossovers should be set to all pass or full range.
You big problem is the SWS woofers. You will have a better SQ with running the stock L7 underseats.

I have rear sides and rear deck in parallel (SL SR)not just the rear decks. The SWS is externally amped. Not sure why it would be worse than stock underseats..

I need confirmation whether I should turn up the external amp levels to match the volume level with the rear sides that are powered by MS-8, when calibrating MS-8.

[taibanl]

Originally Posted by david in germany

Try bringing the highs and mids up to 200hz HP Why are the rears run in parallel? this defeats the purpose of the MS-8 surround capabilities.

All of your amplifier crossovers should be set to all pass or full range.
You big problem is the SWS woofers. You will have a better SQ with running the stock L7 underseats.

Most would disagree with this first paragraph under these conditions. Because he has sws and not a midbass underseat driver he needs to keep xover as low as the focal will tolerate. I would recommend 120-160 (though my setup does use 200 with true midbasses)

Also wiring the rears and sides in parallel is the only way that ms-8 has enough channels when used with a center. This is the recommended configuration by Andy W.

The second paragraph is correct. The sws cannot handle midbass so stock midbasses either hifi or L7 are better if you use a trunk sub. Without a trunk sub its a tradeoff you have to decide for yourself; better modbass or sub bass. With those focals you may be able to use a low enough crossover point to pull it off.

[hoonywise]

Originally Posted by taibanl

Most would disagree with this first paragraph under these conditions. Because he has sws and not a midbass underseat driver he needs to keep xover as low as the focal will tolerate. I would recommend 120-160 (though my setup does use 200 with true midbasses)

Also wiring the rears and sides in parallel is the only way that ms-8 has enough channels when used with a center. This is the recommended configuration by Andy W.

The second paragraph is correct. The sws cannot handle midbass so stock midbasses either hifi or L7 are better if you use a trunk sub. Without a trunk sub its a tradeoff you have to decide for yourself; better modbass or sub bass. With those focals you may be able to use a low enough crossover point to pull it off.

I will try recalibrating with lower (140hz) frequency later today. Can you confirm if I should be matching the volume by raising the external amp levels before calibrating the MS-8?

[jeffb335]

Yes, you should get the levels roughly similar before you calibrate......then leave them alone post calibration, use the ms-8 level controls and eq.

As taibanl said, with the specific speaker setup you have, the crossover point needs to be as low as the focals will go, 160 is good, lower may be even better.

[taibanl]

Originally Posted by hoonywise

I will try recalibrating with lower (140hz) frequency later today. Can you confirm if I should be matching the volume by raising the external amp levels before calibrating the MS-8?

The ms-8 does work best if you do a basic system setup before hand. I actually use 0db test tones at various freqs and a db meter to level match the system prior to calibration. To do this while ms-8 is installed you have to access the hidden test menu. (Search).

[hoonywise]

Thanks guys, I will try to match the levels using an db app, then calibrate at 140hz or so and report back with the results.

Thanks.

[david in germany]

Originally Posted by hoonywise

I have rear sides and rear deck in parallel (SL SR)not just the rear decks. The SWS is externally amped. Not sure why it would be worse than stock underseats..

I need confirmation whether I should turn up the external amp levels to match the volume level with the rear sides that are powered by MS-8, when calibrating MS-8.

Ok, I was confused, I thought right and left speakers in parallel which would give no stereo separation.
The SWS speakers do not have the frequency band that the Stock logic 7 woofers have and believe it or not, they will take more power than the SWS will take without breaking a sweat. (Trust me)

[hoonywise]

Originally Posted by jeffb335

Yes, you should get the levels roughly similar before you calibrate......then leave them alone post calibration, use the ms-8 level controls and eq.

As taibanl said, with the specific speaker setup you have, the crossover point needs to be as low as the focals will go, 160 is good, lower may be even better.

While I did not use the hidden test menu to match each input line separately, I used the db monitor app to match the sound levels during right after the INPUT setup and BEFORE the calibration where the MS-8 allows you to test FR FL C.. etc. before going into acoustic calibration.

Wow. What a huge improvement even though it was a rough measurement. I can't believe I was listening to unbalanced sound for the past 2 years..

I plan to use the hidden test menu to match the sound level more accurately then recalibrate during the weekend (it was night time yesterday).

Thanks again guys! You guys are awesome!