Crossovers and Low Pass Filters

@erik_squires I am an adherent to both methodologies, hearing and measurements. I'm not going to discount either method for reaching best sound. I know that some do. I'm kind of glad I have been forced to go through the hearing aspect of it and still continuing. Each change brings an improvement and I think I might have reached a plateau and it couldn't be any better. Then I listen again and know it still isn't there so journey on, read more, learn more, discover more.

Today I spent my time employing another main speaker placement technique; this was the L.O.T.S. system described by New Record Day on Youtube.. I have tried other techniques including my own observation of "This looks like it should be right."  Over time I guess you could say I have learned sounds and layers but a real, cohesive sound escaped me. The LOTS method is the same as most trangular type set up with the exception you start with the speakers set to either side of you then moving them backwards incrementally until the sound locks in. Other methods of course have you bring them forward starting placed against the front wall until you think you have good bass response. doing it reversed left me leaving them way forward of where I thought they sounded good the other way. It made me realize how much of my mid-range I was lacking. The steps I am making using the listening route I think are teaching me to hear and the steps are becoming surer, and I am making larger strides. I think if I had been able to hook up a DSP unit right away as I first intended, I would have missed out on a lot and my speakers would have remained where they looked best. 

Currently my measurement game is most assuredly lacking as @tomic601 alluded to. I am not opposed to it as previously stated and have used an SPL meter to measure mains and subs individually.  Now that I have it set up more fluidly by ear I would like to run REW. If I can figure out how to employ DSP when I'm satisfied I have it all as far as I can take it by listening, I will.

You can use miniDSP here, but as a hybrid approach. It’s going to be very very good for you.

Set the preamp output to: Crossover: On, 80 Hz

Sub output: Crossover: OFF

Set your subwoofer to highest possible crossover.

Run subwoofer out to miniDSP. Use MiniDSP for setting the low pass filter and EQ for the subwoofer, which is where it matters most.

@erik_squires the Parasound Hint 6. I had bought a miniDSP unit based on their recommendations for what I had and what I wanted to do however after purchase they said it could not be used wiith an integrated. I do have a UMIK1 and REW but I guess that can't be used either without unhooking each speakere individually while measuring. 

Can you tell me though if low pass filter does same as crossover on the sub? If so what should I be doing with the actual subs xover?

Agree Erik - but then so many many audiophiles can’t even level match for a decent / fair A/B test…

good final by ear test is playing back an excellent recording of a scaling acoustic bass…

Test tones at and below 120 hz are available free at Vandersteen website. Warning they are centered on typical room modes, NOT on 1/3 octave centers…. somebody was thinking….since 1977

Jim

Man I don't know how anyone attempts this without measurement gear.  The difference between what we think is going on in a room and what actually goes on can vary so much. 

What integrated do you have??