Steve, if that's the case(I haven't looked at the 3808 manual on that point), it's possible then that David was actually referring to the "pure" rather than the "direct" mode which was causing the confusing result originally. The basic point is to not use a mode which doesn't allow redirecting the low bass from the mains to the sub. Then the basic "Small" and "LFE" settings allow the sub to handle the redirected low bass from the mains and other speakers, as well as any LFE that may be present on other than CD sources.

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Enjoy the music, not the equipment.