Need help setting up my Monitor Audio MRW10 Sub to my Marantz NR1504 Amp

vonny232

Hi, 

I purchased a Monitor Audio MRW10 Sub to go with my existing Monitor Audio MR1 shelf speakers, connected to my Marantz NR1504 AV Amp.

I followed all the MRW10 instructions:

• Connected the Subwoofer out RCA connector to the Subwoofer "R" channel.
• Turned "By Pass Filter" to "ON".
• Turned the "Level" to the middle position.
  

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In the Marantz setup:

• Enabled the Sub-woofer.
• Changed Subwoofer Mode to "LFE+Main"
• Changed the L/R speaker size to "Small"
  

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The Subwoofer is very quiet and does not have the "punchy" bass I expected. I tried playing with the "Low Pass Filter" frequency setting but I dont really know the ideal setting. I also messed with the Subwoofer Level (increasing from 2.5dB to 5 or 6 dB), which made the Sub louder but it didnt sound great.

I also tried the audiessy setup and the test sound with the subwoofer was very weak (compared to the bookshelf speakers which had a very loud test sound).

Is there a set of reference settings/profile for using Monitor audio speakers with the Marantz Amp?

Danny

SmithySeller

I recall when using Denon (sister company to Marantz) audyssey setup it left things very underwhelming. Please follow the following article, it should set you right;

http://www.audioholics.com/subwoofer-setup/bass-management-basics-2013-settings-made-simple

PS. Sorry for jumping in, thought this was posted to Tech Forum :rolleyes:

Richersounds.ie: John

@ smithy - yep I completely agree - the mic settings on most AV receivers are a great starting point but unfortunately even Audyssey don't supply as good a mic as Mk1 ears with the AVR1504 ! I always recommend that you run the auto set-up to give you a good starting point and then make fine adjustments to suit your listening preferences and room..

@ Vonny

Ok the next thing is that you may have to adjust the sub levels on the 1504 - its always preferable to boost the lower output and let the amp in the sub work a bit easier - if you have the sub LFE level set low on the amp then your sub is trying to amplify a more tricky signal - if you set the balance correctly the you should get a clean dynamic sound.

Next up, do have a mind that some soundtracks just don't contain much bass - and some have buckets of the stuff!! if you start out setting the levels using the speaker setup mode and adjusting the level to your preference then you should get a decent level.

Finally, the MRW10 really  is a decent sub and I have no hesitation in recommending it and I've used it and the Bx and the Radius personally with the 1504 in several installs - if you partner it with a decent sub lead it really should sound A1, but if you're not happy after tweaking we will happily swap it out for you for another model,

https://euro.richersounds.ie/p-12485-mrw10.aspx

Thanks again and keep me posted,

ATVB,

John Mc & Crew   

vonny232

Hi Guys, 

Many thanks for you replies.

I have tweaked the Audissy default settings like so:

• Changed the "Subwoofer Level" from 0db to 5db (I presume this is what John means by increasing the Amp Sub LFE Level). Presumably, so the Sub will amplify a stronger (better quality?) signal.
• According to that Audioholics guide, the "Crossover" should be 80hz. Which I am now using, though the MR1 speakers technically work down to 55hz.
• Set the LPF for LFE to 120hz, which is apparently the standard setting and should not be changed. Kept Mode at LFE+Main.
  

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Sounds great. Not sure what happened yesterday but it didnt sounds as good as it does today

p.s. - I noticed in the Marantz menu, the Centre Speaker can be enabled separately to the rear "surround" speakers.

Does this mean I can add the centre speaker without needing to add the rear speakers right away? 

Danny

Richersounds.ie: John

vonny232 wrote: »

Hi Guys, 

Many thanks for you replies.

I have tweaked the Audissy default settings like so:

• Changed the "Subwoofer Level" from 0db to 5db (I presume this is what John means by increasing the Amp Sub LFE Level). Presumably, so the Sub will amplify a stronger (better quality?) signal.
• According to that Audioholics guide, the "Crossover" should be 80hz. Which I am now using, though the MR1 speakers technically work down to 55hz.
• Set the LPF for LFE to 120hz, which is apparently the standard setting and should not be changed. Kept Mode at LFE+Main.
  
  
  

[*]

Sounds great. Not sure what happened yesterday but it didnt sounds as good as it does today

p.s. - I noticed in the Marantz menu, the Centre Speaker can be enabled separately to the rear "surround" speakers.

Does this mean I can add the centre speaker without needing to add the rear speakers right away? 

Danny

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Vonny,

great news and yep you actually succeeded in explaining the benefits of increasing the LFE output level from the 1504 better than I did

On the crossover - I would stick at or around the higher 80Hz level as whilst the MR1 do go quite low you are always better working within comfortable limits and not pushing your audio equipment to its maximum limits - essentially your MRW10 sub is an ultra specialist product and its just good at producing bass - your MR1 speakers are a more general product and in normal 2 channel systems they would be expected to produce full range music - that's the additional of using your 1504 essentially as an active crossover and having a dedicated sub, every component in the system is working within its limits and doing what its best at.

The MR1 produce excellent high frequencies and decent bass - however when a small bookshelf speaker tries to produce low bass the cabinet becomes 'excited' - ie it can resonate and vibrate and whilst this can still result in a decent bass response it can really effect the speakers ability to produce an accurate image as the high frequencies are affected by the cabinet movement.

On the 1504 you can select several speaker combinations from 2.0 upwards - and yes if you have a centre do add it into the system - however if you don't yet have a centre I'd generally recommend adding a set of rears in the first instance to get the proper surround effect ( then ask someone nicely for a nice centre type crimbo pressie )

Great news and keep us posted if we can assist,

ATVB,

John Mc & Crew  

vonny232

Hi John, 

I was plannning on getting the centre first because I read somewhere it improves the sound of voices and dialogue in movies (on Netflix for example the voices sound too quiet compared to the special effects sounds).

Eventually I will move the MR1s to the rear, and get some MR2 or MR4 speakers for the front.

Danny

Richersounds.ie: John

vonny232 wrote: »

Hi John, 

I was plannning on getting the centre first because I read somewhere it improves the sound of voices and dialogue in movies (on Netflix for example the voices sound too quiet compared to the special effects sounds).

Eventually I will move the MR1s to the rear, and get some MR2 or MR4 speakers for the front.

Danny

Danny,

yep a centre will really improve speech and imaging - and this will also allow you to increase the specific centre level so you can really hear the detail and 'centre' the audio image to the screen.

MR4 + Sub = Happy Camper / Unhappy neighbours :D

Keep us posted,

ATVB,

John Mc & Crew