patwa

Actually, I just did a quick google to find where the options were and in the Speaker Settings dialog under Bass Management there is Subwoofer which was at about 85%. (the default is 100%). There's also a checkbox for Bass Redirection, which when I ticked it had the default at 50%. Not sure about the technicalities of this but maybe that might of use in helping?

Thanks again really for all your time.

Hussein.

Double Helix

Yeah, Bass redirection, that acts as a software crossover. Thats where you want all your bass routed to your sub. Try to make it work that way, then you wont top out because all the other speakers would be trying to play the bass. You know what i mean, when you have a small speaker trying to play low end it just crackles?

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patwa

Ok guys, so far I have crossover at 90hz (read somewhere that setting it to 80hz would only be good for large speakers, and the creative ones are well, small). got the sub volume in that same panel at about 85%. One thing I'm confused about and it's a volume question, in the speaker mixer, the master volume is at 50% at the moment, but it also says -27.6DB (i think that figure is right). Umm, sorry to be dense but why a negative figure, wouldn't it just be mute then, but obviously it isn't?

I'm confused. Haven't touched the equalizer, set it to the default which is with it off.

Hussein.

tuchan

aome systems just have it running backwards and level up to a maximum of 0 decibels which is a bit crazy but 0db is the ambient volume. It takes 3 decibels for the juman ear to notice double the volume- this is all to hard to explain, you might want to look up decibels on the net. as for the EQ you should start playing around with it, start flat and move the frequencies around to see and hear the difference. 90Hz sounds about right for your little speakers, the sub has to do the mid range work the front drivers cant do.

tuchan

http://arts.ucsc.edu/EMS/Music/tech_.../teces_06.html
http://www.jimprice.com/prosound/db.htm
have a read

busa

Sound is a very personal thing. There is no "correct" settings but what sounds good to you.

After looking at your speaker specs, this is what i would recommend.....
Set bass crossover to 150hz...this is where the sub frequency stops and satelite starts.
Set all EQ settings to flat and all individual speaker volumes to 100% and main volume at 15% to start.
In CMSS settings set speakers to "stereo x2" for the best "music" sound. Most music is not mixed in surround sound.
Find a "comfortable" volume level and start to adjust the EQ by using the presets and see what sounds best to you. You can also use the sliders to fine tune the sound. Depending on your tastes and choice of music you will want to adjust the settings accordingly.

Just remember....it's all about what you want to hear.

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tuchan

Just remember....it's all about what you want to hear.
that is perfect

patwa

Thanks a lot! Those articles really helped me to understand, even though Computing Science (ok not the electronics bit) is my subject and not mechanics or electronics, It still helped me to get a good idea of what goes on.

Thanks for the rec's. I'll use your settings as a starting platform and as you said, just play up from there.

Cheers for all the help here, I know it's an individual issue, but I guess I didn't really understand many of the features of my sound card until now.

Thanks.

Hussein.