SS-1 or SS.5? x-over for RC-62?

[dimanata2007]

Howdy everyone.

Just recently I got decent center channel (RC-62II) and
should say I’m impressed. For some time I’ve been using pair of SS.5 as center,
then C-2 but even with boosting center channel level output from receiver it didn’t sound right. In addition even though
timbre wise C-2 matched my F-3 better than RC-62II, I never liked design of the
Synergy II center channels.

Now I’m using F-3 as fronts, RC-62II as center and SS-1 as
surround. Watched “Avengers” yesterday once more and like I said above
absolutely impressed with my center channel. I’m not using any sub, just don’t
really like very low sound and vibration.

My receiver (Pioneer VSH-819H) gives me few options for small
speaker’s x-over frequency: 50, 80, 100
and 120Hz. RC-62 pushing 57-20 and SS-1 65-20Khz. I also have pair of SS.5 with
77-20Khz frequency response.

Currently my receiver set up is: front F-3 and center RC-62 speakers
as large and SRS SS-1 as small, x-over set to 80. Do you think it is the best
possible setting in my situation or should I set RC-62 as small too? Another option
to set RC-62 and SS-1 as small and set x-over to 50Hz. I don’t want to lose any
frequency but would like to use center channel at full capacity and hear as
much as possible from it.

One more question: since SS-1 frequency response is 65-20
and SS.5 frequency response is 77-20 and they both capable to produce frequencies
above 80Hz does it make sense to set x-over
on receiver to 80Hz keep SS-1 and sell SS.5 or keep SS.5 and sell SS-1? I’m not
sure if bigger surround channels gonna benefit sound somehow.

Thanks for any suggestions.

[Heritage_Head]

A sub can fix so much in a ht. Even if you don't like super crazy bass just having it really low will blend all your speakers together much better than without. None of your speakers are designed to run with no sub (other than maybe the f-3) in a ht. Now at really low levels it might not be as big a deal. Even if you bought a small sub imo it would be the biggest upgrade you will make in your current set up. You can always turn it way down.

[derrickdj1]

A xo of 80 sounds best for the OP. Anything lower is going in the wrong direction. reference_head is giving good advice on getting a sub. For right now I would leave the front and center set to large.

[dimanata2007]

I've been told more than once that I do need sub. and some day most likely I'm gonna get one.

But which surround speakers would you suggest to leave, SS-1 or SS.5? they both can handle frequensys above 80HZ, or leve SS-1 and set x-overto 50 Hz?

[Heritage_Head]

ss-1 are better so i would use them. You can crossover them over at 50 or 80. Movies dont mix much to the back speakers below 80hz anyways. So i think your safe running them at any setting for movies. For multi channel music you would probably be safer at 80hz.

When i lived in an apartment i watched plenty of movies with the sub off and at that volume it was still a good experience. I know you said your not that into bass or a sub. But if you live in a place where you can have a sub on (and not get in trouble) it really is the heart and soul of any ht imo. Have you ever had a sub in a ht?

[dimanata2007]

Thanks for advice guys. I’m gonna keep xo at 80, just to be safe,
and center set to “large”.

I used small, I believe 8" Yamaha sub for some time, and sure felt more
"boom" but for some reason I like "unsubwoofered" sound bit
better. it just feels more realistic to me. I would like to ger pair of big
Reference towers someday which will give me little more bass, but for now F-3
should do it. I bought them right, they in perfect condition and I love
their design alot.

Off topic question: both RC-62 woofers have small light (dime or even smaller
sized very shallow soft edged) dents. Original owner not even sure how woofers
got dented and saying that nobody ever touched the speaker. Well, he probably lying, anyway I traded pretty old laptop for the speaker and feel very good about this
deal.

Any way to fix them or at least make them to look even less noticeable? Usually
I keep grills on but occasionally take them off and these dents bother me a
bit.

Didn't find much about it, most people saying that Reference woofers can not
be fixed due to material properties.