Take Care of Your Audio System

Here we start the concept of bass management or bass redirection. Though Genius SW-HF5.1 5000 does not support internal bass redirection, this is a serious feature that should be enclosed, particularly as devoted sound cards support this feature.

Initially what does bass redirection mean? It means subwoofer is not able to automatically and within "pick up" all bass frequencies; it only recreates ones coming straight from woofer input. In laymen's terms, it does not send all of the bass frequency content to woofer, and there is a particular leftover for satellites too. This is visible only in 5.1 inputs, not with stereo input.

The simple and most successful workaround is using a high-end sound-card that sports a "bass redirection" aspect. If by any chance you do not have subwoofer output, then I would advocate checking out control panel of your sound card and optimistically you will be able to find there.

Quality cutting-edge sound cards generally have both Bass Redirection and Crossover Frequency features. The latter normally based on Bass Redirection. With help of Crossover Frequency, you can manually state frequency under point where all frequencies are sent to subwoofer. Now you can set a maximum to below where low frequencies are redirected to woofer.

Also, if you raise this limit, your subwoofer must output deeper and powerful bass, as reducing limit means a lower amount of bass frequencies. You can fine-tune this choice by taking your own time, do not go very low or very high, and attempt to find sweet point where your bass is not "colossal," but rather clear.

I can't stress it enough subwoofer must be particularly organized. There is no point listening on insanely high volumes as it booms and shakes things in your room. This is not good at all.

Also, you want to know that in 2.1, 5.1, and 7.1 systems, internal amplifier is not intended for "bass freaks." More often than not distortion is caused by crazy settings on amplifier. The source of distortions is not always woofer. It's to say that speakers suck and rate them as lower when amplifier creates distortions.

Also, if you ignore your common sense and keep on stressing amplifier, not paying attention to these distorted signals, do not be too shocked if either some of your speakers or amplifier burns out. This happens frequently. You can ask for an RMA, but you must understand and act deliberately, not like a crazy kiddie.

Finally I suggest using devoted sound cards not only because they are more professional, sound better, sport many features, give clearer signal, and develop your overall experience, but in some cases they can expand lifespan of your tweeters.

The sound chipsets lean to transfer many parasite signals, which are very high frequencies and low to human ears. If you are utilized to listening to your audio system on rather high volume and on a frequent basis, due to constant strain coming from these parasite signals, sometimes tweeters just burn out. This can occur even if music you listen to is mainly bass-genre and has very few highs.

As for suggesting sound cards, if you are an audiophile then I advocate M-Audio, if you are a gamer then Creative, because you are going to advantage from its hardware EAX (2.0) support. M-Audio is good for music and Creative develops gaming performance. If you utilize your system as a home theatre, then both are satisfying. Both are excellent companies, but you can get other options that are remarkable.