teh Forum

SUCKS!

I'm immensely dissapointed...it sounds exactly like it's configured - all the high frequency goes to the monitors and the lows to the sub but it's almost like the spectrum is incomplete...and it seems like the sub only works properly at 20% volume...anymore than that and it clips like mad...I don't get it...I thought this 100% mackie setup would be good...Oh yeah and that whole thing about bass being mono-directional below 80-100hz must be a marketing gimmick because the bass sounds like it is coming from whereever I position the subwoofer...especially when the sub is constantly clipping that totally gives it's position away...

Think I am going to return it and get a second pair of HR824s...

I've never tried the subwoofer before, so I can't really comment.

But from your description of not being able to operate above 20% it sounds like you don't have it configured correctly.

yeah...been experimenting with it some more and the room acoustics are screwing it up a bit...is a pretty open area...well just got it and will change placement a few more times before I give it up...I really just want to be able to turn the 824s up louder and not have to worry about the bass...I'm using the crossover in the subs right now but I'm thinking maybe just have them all be connected separately so the mackies are the same but there is just more bass...

The way I've always got powered subs to work the best is to minimize the signal that is being sent to the speaker. Then the let the speaker handle all the work.

Isn't there is a way to control the output from the crossover to the sub?

I'm not sure how the Mackies work as they are all active. Not sure how much of each frequency range gets sent on the sub-outs. There are room configuration switches for corners, half spaces, wall, etc. Also, the rolloff switch may help, though it may also have no effect since the 824s, may not get frequencies low enough to roll off. Allen has one of those, and it seemed to sound ok. I think the 824s sound perfect as is, so I don't think I'd ever get a sub. My next set of monitors though will be ADAM A7s. We had a pair of S3As at Adobe, and they were VERY nice. The A7s are supposed to as well. (which is good, because the S3As are ~$2000 each or close to that anyway)

Do you have more than one output from your source? Perhaps you could run the 824s on one set of channels, then put the sub on its own channels. That way it can't cut any of the frequencies to the 824s.

After lots of different configurations I have the single sub option working rather well - it was severly susceptable to the acoustics of the room. It's quite amazing how much influence that has on the sound but I found a decent sweet spot and it sounds nice now. I also think the 824s sound perfect as is but I need more volume hence the second pair. Things are good now though although I'm going to be retarded and get a second sub...it should be quite awesome to have a true stereo subwoofer configuration...

2 more 824s and another sub? are you putting on a concert?

No just one more sub so it will be a two channel config with a three way speaker basically.

Nice.

you can actually cut the crossover out for the sub with a footpedal so the 824s receive full range - thinking about getting that because it seems like my current setup is too bright or something...the midrange isn't as balanced in the spectrum...

As far as the two subs go though, the room mate won't approve since the current sub is shaking the inside of the house...and the siding on the outside of the house...