What is the best crossover frequency for my 5.2 home theater set up?

What is the best crossover frequency for my 5.2 home theater set up

Question:
I am finishing up setting up my 5.2 home theater and was wondering what is the best crossover frequency for my speakers including my two subwoofers. I read 80hz is standard but wanted to get your opinion to get the best sound.

– Marc Vuong
San Jose, CA

Answer:
THX does prescribe a crossover of 80Hz, however it’s more complicated depending on the quality and ability of your subwoofer and main speakers. Also, depending on your processor or receiver, you may be able to set crossovers at each speaker. If you have full range main speakers, you may want to experiment with a lower crossover, try 60Hz, and vice versa if you have a full range subwoofer, try setting it higher, say 100Hz. You will find the right setting based on your situation, including how the subwoofer sounds in your room, you mention a 5.2 configuration so I assume two subwoofers? I would use music to test it, movies can be misleading. What I find more critical frankly is the volume at each speaker and subwoofer, make sure the system is well balanced, get yourself an inexpensive sound meter.