How should I set the crossover on my receiver for just 2 main speakers

[RoadRunner6]

A couple comments and a question:

If you can manage it, use a third C100 as a center channel speaker. The C-C100 looks like it will do the job but these center speakers with multiple drivers arranged horizontally are a sub-optimal design from an acoustics perspective.

The ESW-8 does have terminals for speaker-level connections. Really much better to use the line-level sub-out if that will work for you. If you do need to use the speaker connections, I think you'll experience problems if you try to follow RoadRunner's recipe for that. His recipe for the line-out connection looks delicious so let's hope that works for you.

I'm curious to know what's the difference between a music and theater subwoofer. This is the first time I've heard of a distinction.

Yes, I would have mentioned that to him but the C-100's are sold only in pairs. I in fact in my system I have three identical speakers across the front, LCR (the preferred orientation which very few are aware of ... no center channel speaker over on its side for me when practical but let's not confuse him now with that).

The Energy ESW-8 has speaker level in connections only and no speaker level out connections Look carefully at the back panel. That is why I made the comments I did. He doesn't need the speaker level connections like I mentioned because he in fact confirmed that he has an AVR receiver with sub output and bass management.

The fact is that the Energy ESW-8 sub and many other newer subs now do not have both speaker in and out connections, or neither. That is because the large majority of buyers of subs of this class intend to use them in 5.1 or 7.1 HT systems and only need the RCA input. The manufacturer saves a few bucks. If a sub is used in a 2.1 system with no sub managment then the sub should have both in and out speaker level connections for the easiest setup.

RR6

[Kevio]

The fact is that the Energy ESW-8 sub and many other newer subs now do not have both speaker in and out connections, or neither. That is because the large majority of buyers of subs of this class intend to use them in 5.1 or 7.1 HT systems and only need the RCA input. The manufacturer saves a few bucks. If a sub is used in a 2.1 system with no sub managment then the sub should have both in and out speaker level connections for the easiest setup.RR6

I suspect the speaker out terminals, when present, are connected directly to the speaker in terminals. Do you have any evidence that subs with two sets of terminals actually have a speaker-level high-pass between the two? It would be a tricky thing to do that sort of filter correctly.

[RoadRunner6]

I suspect the speaker out terminals, when present, are connected directly to the speaker in terminals. Do you have any evidence that subs with two sets of terminals actually have a speaker-level high-pass between the two? It would be a tricky thing to do that sort of filter correctly.

Yes, that is exactly what the two sets of speaker connections is for on the back of a sub. It is for 2.1 sytems with the sub active. The crossover dial on the back of the sub and the internal crossover filter on the sub (all subs have this) splits up the incoming full range signal (at the speaker in) from the pre or receiver and then sends the frequencies above the crossover setting on to the left and right speakers via the speaker out connections. The frequencies below the crossover point are sent internally to the sub amp and driver.

When used in a 5.1 system the crossover setting on the pre/receiver is used instead and the crossover on the sub is bypassed either by the bypass switch on the sub, a specified bypass RCA jack or by setting the crossover dial on the sub to its max point. Thus, most setups never use and simply bypass the sub crossover circuitry. Sorry no evidence needed, this is simply very common basic subwoofer operation 101 stuff. In fact, current sub models used by people like D.G. with a current Pre/AVR with bass managment, need nothing on the back of the sub except a power switch, a single RCA input, a phase switch or dial and maybe a volume dial (for convenience only ... extra controls such as paramertic EQ's are another matter). The lack of a reasonable explanation, in the owner's manuals, of all these dials, jacks and connections on the back of subs by the manufacturer is gross negligence. I remember the poorly written nonsense in the manual of my old Energy Take 5 system sub was a nightmare.

Some people send the bass below a determined frequency to the sub while still running their main speakers at full range. I feel in all situations with a quality sub this is a mistake.

RR6