GEMINI 2 SUB settings help

[malcolm mccaw]

Hello all, ive just got a BK gemini 2 delivered 2day and was wondering if anyone can help me with the settings as BK electonics is now closed 4 xmas. Ive just it hooked up to a denon m39 with 2 audio monitor bx2's bookshelf speakers on stands, and postioned the sub behind my av setup in the corner of the room, and upon playing around with it, so far it sounds loud enough for my 4.5m x 3m room as i live in a flat with other people around me. Anyway, im using the single dedicated sub out on the denon to the low level in on the sub. When i spoke to the guy at BK (not burger king) a few weeks ago, i think i remember him saying that most of the back dial adjustments on it wont apply to me bcos of the way im connecting it up via the low level single lead? The two controls i think that apply to me are the low level gain, (volume?) and the low level freq. There is also a phase knob? What is the best frequency setting from 30hz to 120hz? i was thinking that my speakers dont go lower than prob 50hz so should this be the setting on the sub meaning it will give a go lower Hz than the bx2's??? Please help if u can. thanks m

 

[lucid]

There should be three controls active on the sub. Low Level -Volume -Frequency and -Phase. The Gemini II has an 'LFE' position on the Frequency control which effective sets the internal crossover wide open. If you've never set up a sub before then this is probably what you should do.

The Crossover setting in your amp will direct all bass according the frequency you set here. I'd start with 80Hz. The BX2's may be capable of going a bit lower, but the sub will do a better job for the few extra hertz extension before the BX2's peter out.

If your amp has a setting for "LFE Low Pass" then you can set this to 120Hz to match the LFE setting on the sub.

The rest of the setup is done by ear. You need some music, and then follow the instructions in the Gemini manual.

 

[malcolm mccaw]

There should be three controls active on the sub. Low Level -Volume -Frequency and -Phase. The Gemini II has an 'LFE' position on the Frequency control which effective sets the internal crossover wide open. If you've never set up a sub before then this is probably what you should do.

The Crossover setting in your amp will direct all bass according the frequency you set here. I'd start with 80Hz. The BX2's may be capable of going a bit lower, but the sub will do a better job for the few extra hertz extension before the BX2's peter out.

If your amp has a setting for "LFE Low Pass" then you can set this to 120Hz to match the LFE setting on the sub.

The rest of the setup is done by ear. You need some music, and then follow the instructions in the Gemini manual.

Thanks 4 the reply lucid, i dont use a amp mate, just the denon m39 micro sys, this has a single sub out socket which ive used straight to the sub (low level), just using it 4 movies at present. Ive set the freq control on the sub to LFE position and have adjusted the gain/volume knob on it, to mix in with the bx2 main speakers on the hifi, IS THIS CORRECT? and all i need to do? Also there is phase control knob, but im thinking this is only used if i connect up the high level leads aswell (which i dont do yet). Thanks 4 the help m.

 

[.:SAmSuNG:.]

My very basic understanding of phase using only the LFE.

If you play some really bassy music you should be able to hear the bass sounds slightly stronger with the knob at 0 or 180. My gemini sounds better at 180. I think it basically syncs the sub so it pushes at the same time as the other speaker rather than it moving the opposite way to the main speakers. I sat in the listening position and had my wife flip the knob one way or the other while a song with a steady bass note was playing so I could hear which sounded better.

Im sure it can be fine tuned but I dont really think its needed at our level.

As for adjusting the gain knob. The idea is you shouldn't be able to hear where the sub is placed and it should blend with your bx2's. Ive got dali zensor 3's which are very similar sized speakers and my frequency crossover point is 80hz and it sounds great. When i first set it up it sounded alittle boomy but messed with it abit over time and it is very decent with music not being too over the top but being able to feel the sub in movies. Placement is important if you have the luxury and ive always had mine on a granite block like a chopping board as its supposed to help tighten the bass of this sub.

Im sure lucid will correct anything ive said thats wrong.

 

[malcolm mccaw]

My very basic understanding of phase using only the LFE.

If you play some really bassy music you should be able to hear the bass sounds slightly stronger with the knob at 0 or 180. My gemini sounds better at 180. I think it basically syncs the sub so it pushes at the same time as the other speaker rather than it moving the opposite way to the main speakers. I sat in the listening position and had my wife flip the knob one way or the other while a song with a steady bass note was playing so I could hear which sounded better.

Im sure it can be fine tuned but I dont really think its needed at our level.

As for adjusting the gain knob. The idea is you shouldn't be able to hear where the sub is placed and it should blend with your bx2's. Ive got dali zensor 3's which are very similar sized speakers and my frequency crossover point is 80hz and it sounds great. When i first set it up it sounded alittle boomy but messed with it abit over time and it is very decent with music not being too over the top but being able to feel the sub in movies. Placement is important if you have the luxury and ive always had mine on a granite block like a chopping board as its supposed to help tighten the bass of this sub.

Im sure lucid will correct anything ive said thats wrong.

Thanks samsung, Ive got my gemini on spikes placed upon fibre backed carpet on a concrete floor in the corner of the room behind my AV unit, and this sits at a corner angle in front of it, with the speakers placed ether side of the av unit if.u.k.w.i mean. Im happy with the gemini so far, as i reckon the xls200 may have been a bit 2 much 4 my flat, re: neighbours below & on the sides of me, however xls200 can be made FF which would have suited my situation better i think, but the size of it wouldnt have fitted very well where i want it. Anyway im looking 4ward to when bk electronics re open on the 5th jan, bcos im also wondering if i can set up the high level connection 4 music and use the low level set up 4 movies from my single denon m39 system??? as this would save me reaching through my av unit making the adjustments 4 both, ive also bought a remote control plug switch yesterday from maplins (£6) so i dont have to turn it on & off which is handy. Cheers m

 

[lucid]

There isn't actually a lot of information about the subwoofer output socket on the Denon M39. It's a bit of an educated guess based on reading between the lines, and also the fact that the Denon only handles 2.0 PCM (stereo) via the optical input, but I'm going to say that the sub out is purely for Hi-Fi frequencies (20Hz-200Hz) rather than LFE + Hi-Fi. Further to that, I think it will be active all the time rather than switching in and out depending on the processing mode as would be the case with an AV receiver.

This then answers your question about hooking up both the High Level and Low Level connections on the Gemini II.

Since the Denon is really just a music system, then the recommended connection should be with the Neutrik cable and in to the High Level input. The manual details this.

Connecting both Low Level and High Level together is pointless since the sub isn't being driven in the correct way that manages the output signals according to source. For music use (i.e. with a Hi-Fi rather than an AV system) then the best connection is High Level. You can dispense with the Low Level connection completely.