Trouble with Parts Express 250W sub amp

[maximumshow]

Hello all. I just recently completed my DIY tempest sub using THIS amp. It performs beyond my expectations! As this is my first DIY sub, I have a few questions about how it is acting.

If I run the sub by itself I can still hear voices or other higher frequency sounds coming from the sub. This is with the crossover set to ~80hz and using the line level inputs. Is this normal? It seems to me that included crossover is either not working properly, or of just low quality. If this isn't normal, what steps can I take to fix this situation?

Thanks!

[ThomasW]

Is this normal?

Yes. The crossovers in these amps are not 'brickwall' filters.

[Paul H]

This sub crossover likely filters out sound above at the cut-off at 12 dB per octave, so with setting at 80 Hz, 160 Hz is down 12 dB, 320 Hz is down 24dB, etc. The crossover is not a brick wall total cutoff.

It is entirely possible that you can hear voices through the sub. Try a movie like LOTR with heavy bass/LFE - in that case the substantial low end bass will 'drown out' any voices from the sub.

Paul

[maximumshow]

This sub crossover likely filters out sound above at the cut-off at 12 dB per octave

Yes I believe the specs on the amp say it is 12db per octave.

I was planning on getting a BFD in the near future. Along with helping any negative room response, will it allow me to set a larger or steeper slope on the signal going to the amp?