Sub Question

[erict]

After dialing you're sub in and it sounds great you run into a movie that you would like a little more bass, is it best to just bump it a db or two in you're receiver of turn the volume knob on the sub. I'm thinking the correct way would be just to bump the db in you're receiver.

[Rob J in WNY]

Some movies definitely have more attenuated LFE/bass more than others. I tend to just deal with it and leave my settings alone, as my settings work for probably 95% of my movies.

That said, it seems easier to for some people to simply dial up the sub's rotary volume control a tad than to dig through menus on the receiver, but I think I would probably choose the receiver route because I'm geeky like that.

My sub is centered at 0dB in the receiver, so it's pretty straightforward to simply raise it, say, 4dB, then lower it back to 0dB when done.

[liquidice]

honestly don't think it matters really. If the question was turning it up, I would go for the gain dial on the sub itself, just cause I like that the sub amp would be doing more work, like it should be. For your question, just do it in the receiver, that way you can just reach for the remote instead of getting up!

You may want to take note though; are you feeling this way about the bass with a majority of movies? I know your sub is fairly new, so give it some time, and some movies. Sometimes with the auto calibration, our subwoofers can be set a little high. From most people who have talked about this, they turn their subs down just a bit after the calibration runs.

The only movie I ever thought about turning down the bass was Dark Knight.

[erict]

Originally Posted by liquidice

honestly don't think it matters really. If the question was turning it up, I would go for the gain dial on the sub itself, just cause I like that the sub amp would be doing more work, like it should be. For your question, just do it in the receiver, that way you can just reach for the remote instead of getting up!

You may want to take note though; are you feeling this way about the bass with a majority of movies? I know your sub is fairly new, so give it some time, and some movies. Sometimes with the auto calibration, our subwoofers can be set a little high. From most people who have talked about this, they turn their subs down just a bit after the calibration runs.

The only movie I ever thought about turning down the bass was Dark Knight.

No not at all. It really sounds good. I was just curious on an information stand point of which way would be the correct way. If the issue ever came up when I would like a little more bass it's easier for me just to grab the remote and bump the db a couple but wanted to make sure this is alright versus turning the subs volume knob. Even though I have my subs knob at 11 o"clock I'm concerned I wouldn't set it back at the same spot and seeing I can just bump the db in the receivers menu a bar or two and then set it back a bar or two. That way I know for sure this newbie will put it back exactly where it was before

[ozzman]

My reciever has 4 memory modes The first one i have set the bass to -8db

-the second -3db and third -0db.So it pretty easier to control a movie i want (just a push of a button)

My point is sometimes if you find you need more bass just turn the bass up.But remember to turn it back to where you set it so you don't get any surprises with the next movie.
Man,this is just my advise on what i do but i really don't think there's a rule of thumb to this

[liquidice]

erict, if I remember, you sub is fairly new too? After some time and use, you may end up messing with the volume again, or just pulling out your SPL meter.

[DarkDune]

I added some recommendations in a similar post here.

[StimpsonJCat]

I would turn it up/down in the AVR. This way you always know your baseline. If you change the dial on the sub itself you can never get it back to exactly where it started.

[jomari]

ive also considered to turn it up or down using the receivers settings instead. once calibrated to your taste, you can then 'enhance' it using the receiver and avoid diddle daddling with it later on the subwoofer...

[Pelican170]

Originally Posted by StimpsonJCat

I would turn it up/down in the AVR. This way you always know your baseline. If you change the dial on the sub itself you can never get it back to exactly where it started.

This is what i would do, but i never touch mine. Mine is pretty balanced now and if it seems lower i just figure thats how the movie was intended to be...

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by jomari

ive also considered to turn it up or down using the receivers settings instead. once calibrated to your taste, you can then 'enhance' it using the receiver and avoid diddle daddling with it later on the subwoofer...

+1, this is why I have saved 6 different settings with my SC-05. Once I have the sub(s) dialed in with my SPL meter, the last thing I want to do is to adjust the sub(s) themselves in anyway. Call me smart or lazy, or both...

[erict]

I asked eD about this and they said to use the volume knob on the sub and not to raise the db in the receiver route as this can introduce a clipped signal. They advised to set the sub in the receiver to around -7 to -9 db and adjust the volume knob on the sub itself to compensate. If I want a little head room they said to play a DVD that I know has some good base tracks and adjust the sub accordingly and then when I play a movie with less bass I can bump it a little in the receiver.

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by erict

I asked eD about this and they said to use the volume knob on the sub and not to raise the db in the receiver route as this can introduce a clipped signal. They advised to set the sub in the receiver to around -7 to -9 db and adjust the volume knob on the sub itself to compensate. If I want a little head room they said to play a DVD that I know has some good base tracks and adjust the sub accordingly and then when I play a movie with less bass I can bump it a little in the receiver.

The problem I have with this is that I have both of my subs dialed in using my SPL meter, and I used the volume knob on the sub itself to adjust both to my reference and then saved those settings in my AVR. If I start messing with the sub's volume knob after this, my sub will no longer be as balanced as it was previously, as I could not be exactly correct when I try to adjust the volume knobs on both subs back to where it was by hand.

[erict]

Originally Posted by forsberg21

The problem I have with this is that I have both of my subs dialed in using my SPL meter, and I used the volume knob on the sub itself to adjust both to my reference and then saved those settings in my AVR. If I start messing with the sub's volume knob after this, my sub will no longer be as balanced as it was previously, as I could not be exactly correct when I try to adjust the volume knobs on both subs back to where it was by hand.

I'm still learning about setting to reference. So basically you dialed all you're speakers to let's say 75db and then you dialed you're subs to match that reference? I did auto (YPAO) on my Yamaha and it set everything within 1db of each other according to my SPL meter. It had my sub at +3db and I backed it down to 0db though. I never touched my volume knob on the sub after auto setup but did set it at the 11 o'clock position before hand.

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by erict

I'm still learning about setting to reference. So basically you dialed all you're speakers to let's say 75db and then you dialed you're subs to match that reference? I did auto (YPAO) on my Yamaha and it set everything within 1db of each other according to my SPL meter. It had my sub at +3db and I backed it down to 0db though. I never touched my volume knob on the sub after auto setup but did set it at the 11 o'clock position before hand.

Yep, here are the steps from BD's sticky:

Adjustment of Two Subwoofers
1. On the back of the subs, turn their levels to 50%-60%, no higher than 75%.
2. On the back of the subs, turn their crossovers all the way up to their maximum point. You set the crossover in the receiver.
3. In the receiver's menu, set all speakers to SMALL.
4. In the receiver's menu, set the crossovers of all the speakers to 80Hz. You can deviate from 80Hz depending on the low frequency extension of your speakers. Make sure the crossover is always set at least 10Hz-15Hz higher than the minimum frequency response (+-3dB) of your speakers.
5. In the receiver's menu, set the crossover frequency of the LFE channel to 80Hz-120Hz.
6. In the receiver's menu, set the level of the subwoofers to zero.
7. Turn off one subwoofer.
8. Play the test tones through the subwoofer that is on and measure its response with the SPL meter. Adjust its level on its back (not the receiver) so that you get approximately 75dB.
9. Turn on the other subwoofer and turn off the previous subwoofer.
10. Run test tones through it and adjust the level on its back so that you get approximately 75dB.
11. Now, turn on both subwoofers and do not touch the levels on their back.
12. Run the test tones again and adjust the level of all speakers. Make sure the SPL meter is held steady at a 45 degree angle at the primary listening position. Don't stand directly behind the SPL meter. Stand on the side. It is best for the SPL meter to be on a tripod.
13. When the time comes to adjust the subwoofers, move the SPL meter slighly to the right and slightly to the left and average the dB level that it registers.
Hopefully this will work. If you move the subwoofers or move your listening position, don't be surprised if the level of the subwoofers change drastically.

It is from this sticky, A Guide to Bass Management....https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=95817

[erict]

Originally Posted by forsberg21

Yep, here are the steps from BD's sticky:



It is from this sticky, A Guide to Bass Management....https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=95817

Thanks!! One thing I can't do with my Yamaha in the receiver is set the crossover frequency of the LFE channel to 80Hz-120Hz, no option. I have one area only to set the crossover for all speakers and have it set to 80hz. I'm sure some receiver brands are like mine. And with that assumption I guess you're able to adjust you're speakers crossover separate from you're LFE crossover.

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by erict

Thanks!! One thing I can't do with my Yamaha in the receiver is set the crossover frequency of the LFE channel to 80Hz-120Hz, no option. I have one area only to set the crossover for all speakers and have it set to 80hz. I'm sure some receiver brands are like mine. And with that assumption I guess you're able to adjust you're speakers crossover separate from you're LFE crossover.

Believe it or not, but you can't set individual crossovers for your speakers in the SC-05, it defaults to 80Hz when you set them to small. I can adjust the LFE, but it runs from 80Hz, 100Hz and jumps up to 150Hz, so I have my LFE set at 100Hz. Don't know why they don't have a 120hz setting. I found that very strange for such an incredible AVR.

[erict]

Originally Posted by forsberg21

Yep, here are the steps from BD's sticky:



It is from this sticky, A Guide to Bass Management....https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=95817

Originally Posted by forsberg21

Believe it or not, but you can't set individual crossovers for your speakers in the SC-05, it defaults to 80Hz when you set them to small. I can adjust the LFE, but it runs from 80Hz, 100Hz and jumps up to 150Hz, so I have my LFE set at 100Hz. Don't know why they don't have a 120hz setting. I found that very strange for such an incredible AVR.

I did notice in my receiver that there is a speaker level setting screen to adjust all speakers including the subwoofer which I understand but there is also a LFE level setting screen that has a range of -20db to 0db which is set to 0db. What is that for?

Here is a quote from my manuel.



Bass cross over CROSS OVER
Use this feature to select the crossover frequency of all the
speakers set to “SML” (or “SMALL”) in “SPEAKER
SET” (see page 85). All frequencies below the selected
frequency will be sent to the subwoofer(s) or front
speakers depending on the setting of “LFE/BASS OUT”
in “SPEAKER SET” (see page 85).
Choices: 40Hz, 60Hz, 80Hz, 90Hz, 100Hz, 110Hz,
120Hz, 160Hz, 200Hz

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by erict

I did notice in my receiver that there is a speaker level setting screen which I understand but there is also a LFE level setting screen that has a range of -20db to 0db which is set to 0db. What is that for?

Here is a quote from my manuel.



Bass cross over CROSS OVER
Use this feature to select the crossover frequency of all the
speakers set to “SML” (or “SMALL”) in “SPEAKER
SET” (see page 85). All frequencies below the selected
frequency will be sent to the subwoofer(s) or front
speakers depending on the setting of “LFE/BASS OUT”
in “SPEAKER SET” (see page 85).
Choices: 40Hz, 60Hz, 80Hz, 90Hz, 100Hz, 110Hz,
120Hz, 160Hz, 200Hz

I interpret it to mean that you do not have a dedicated crossover setting for the LFE. It seems that the high pass filter of your speakers is acting in place of the LFE's own individual crossover. Thus, when you set your speakers to small with a frequency of 80Hz (80Hz is usually recommended to start with), the high pass filter in the AVR will send all of the frequencies above 80hz to the speakers, and then will direct the frequencies below 80hz to the sub. It still works the same basically.

The LFE level setting is the volume output for that particular signal. Most receivers use 0 db’s as a default setting. By decreasing the db levels (which remember 0db is the highest level), you will reduce the volume output provided by your sub.

[erict]

Originally Posted by forsberg21

I interpret it to mean that you do not have a dedicated crossover setting for the LFE. It seems that the high pass filter of your speakers is acting in place of the LFE's own individual crossover. Thus, when you set your speakers to small with a frequency of 80Hz (80Hz is usually recommended to start with), the high pass filter in the AVR will send all of the frequencies above 80hz to the speakers, and then will direct the frequencies below 80hz to the sub. It still works the same basically.

The LFE level setting is the volume output for that particular signal. Most receivers use 0 db’s as a default setting. By decreasing the db levels (which remember 0db is the highest level), you will reduce the volume output provided by your sub.

In the speaker level screen I can adjust the subwoofers db (+/- 10db) is that the same? Or whats the difference?