Help w/ Subwoofer Settings Needed!

just purchased a 2.1 home audio system... i have some questions regarding setting up my subwoofer... my Pioneer receiver allows me to adjust the crossover point at which low tones are sent to my subwoofer instead of my speakers... i believe i have the option of setting it anywhere between 100 hz and 200 hz... here's my first question, which direction signifies the lower tones?

second, here's my subwoofer...

JBL Northridge E Series 12" 250W Front-Firing Powered Subwoofer

http://images.bestbuy.com/BestBuy_US/images/products/5584/5584174_rc.jpg

Product Features:

-Outputs are speaker-level, high-pass, with 5-way binding posts
-FreeFlow flared, down-firing port
-Frequency response: 25-150Hz (subject to low-pass crossover setting)
-Low-pass frequency: continuously variable from 50Hz to 150Hz
-Black ash enclosure with charcoal grille

I understand there will be a volume control and crossover control on the sub itself which i'm somewhat familiar with, having some experience with the bazooka tube subwoofer in my trunk, but i'd like to know the proper settings for my receiver, given my sub and it's specifications.... my front speakers are floorstanding speakers, JBL E80's, which are capable of producing bass so i dont plan on sending all the low tones to the sub....

for the record i have NOT set up anything yet because i'm still waiting for the subwoofer to arrive... i know the best way to find the right settings is to test it out by ear but i'd like to get a better understanding of what the numbers signify... thanks for your help!

 

hmmm... having done some research i'm reading in JBL audio's FAQ that it's a good idea to designate your speakers as S (small) in you receiver's settings instead of L (large) even if they are Large speakers and thereby sending all the bass frequencies directly to the subwoofer....

"If your receiver allows you to set your speakers to Large or Small, in many cases you will want to set your speakers to Small even if they are Large. This will prevent the speakers from reproducing the subsonic frequencies, once again giving you better sonic quality and extending the life of both your speakers and receiver."

 

bump, anyone???

 

Low frequency energy takes up most of the power from your amplifier. Let the subwoofer's amp to the heavy lifting-- it's why you bought it, really. But, the higher the frequencies you allow the sub to handle, however, the more chance you may perceive a directionality of sound from it-- not what you want. Since the sub is a speaker-level unit, you are going to be sending your main speaker amp outputs to it first, and then on to your speakers from the sub's outputs-- in the middle the sub's crossover will split and direct the frequencies appropriately. Once you decide on a crossover point, adjust the sub's level control so you miss it when it's turned off, but it's not overbearing when it's on.

Using a "small speaker" setting on your receiver-- if it has one-- implies it has it's own low-pass subwoofer output, and is saying that you know they (small speakers) are incapable of reproducing any meaningful lower frequencies to begin with, so why bother sending any to them.

The most seamless results will occur, in any case, if you allow the subwoofer's crossover to do the work of separating what goes to the speakers and what goes to the sub.

 

The lower the number, the lower the frequency. I'm assuming you will be using the line level (RCA) inputs for the sub. Set your receiver to have a slight overlap into the subwoofer's range (ex: sub cutoff@125Hz/receiver cutoff@120Hz), if possible.