The Official Acoustic Audio Subwoofer Owners Thread

[aramis109]

Originally Posted by parkerwilson

I know, I put the mic where I show it and then I move it 3 feet to the right and then 3 feet to the left.All seats are used equel so I just use the middle of the room. I am still wondering why the front 3 speakers were -12db. Does it seem like something is wrong?

It has gain/trim levels from + to - 12db. Just seems a little odd that it's dumping them way down there. Maybe they're really efficient speakers- I'm not really that familiar with Klipsch. The most important thing is how it sounds now, however.

[callas01]

Parker, why don't you do it the old fashioned way, get a tape measure, set the distance manually, adjust the gain on the speakers by starting at 0 db's and then moving around the room and adjust according to how it sounds using test tones and then through in a movie and see how it works out. if the rears are too high, bring them down, etc. It would have to be more accurate then what your getting now.

[parkerwilson]

I am not sure I could get it even close to right just using my ears. Still pretty new at this.

could i be getting these results cause my surrounds are about 2-3 feet above the mic level

klipsch rs-52 Surrounds- sensitivity 95dB
Klipsch rc-62 Center- sensitivity 98dB
Klipsch rf-62 Front Towers- sensitivity 97dB

Not sure if this tells anyone anything

[DavidinGA]

As you can see under specifications, the sensitivty of this subwoofer is high (99db @ 1 watt/1 meter) and the amplifier is too strong. The subwoofer can be extremely loud. It is best to keep the volume on the amplifier around the midpoint. In my home theater room, I set it to less than the midpoint.[*]Do not forget that placement in the room plays an important role.[/LIST]

This might be a dumb question (as I don't really know that much about audio equipment); but what is the point of having a sub that is so loud that you keep the volume of the amp at the midpoint? Isn't that over-kill? Wouldn't it make more sense to buy a smaller less powerful sub/amp and turn the volume of the amp up more to get the same results?

[MacDaddyOJack]

Originally Posted by DavidinGA

This might be a dumb question (as I don't really know that much about audio equipment); but what is the point of having a sub that is so loud that you keep the volume of the amp at the midpoint? Isn't that over-kill? Wouldn't it make more sense to buy a smaller less powerful sub/amp and turn the volume of the amp up more to get the same results?

That's not a volume knob on the back of the sub, it is a gain. When you turn the gain up, you actually increase the amplitude of the signal. But by doing so, you increase the amplitude of any interference or background noise. So if you run your sub with the gain turned way up, you won't get response as clean as a sub that is running with the gain only 1/3 of the way up.

The other thing you have to watch out for is pushing your sub too hard and causing damage. When you start cranking the gain up you run that risk.

[aramis109]

Running any amp at 100% is going to get you clipping and distortion, not to mention potential damage. Having headroom for any speaker is a good thing.

[kndy]

So, far testing my Acoustic Audio HD-SUB 12 (again, thanks for the recommendation Big Daddy) and putting it through the "Quantum of Solace" test and "Transformers" test and so far so good!



I do have a technical question. I have a 7.2 setup but I was wondering for an Onkyo 606, is it best to keep the front speakers to full band and let everything go to the subwoofers?

[aramis109]

It's more dependent on the speakers than the amp as to what to run your crossover at. I'd recommend running your fronts at least at 60hz. I ran them at 80hz- let the sub take that low end stuff.

[JJ]

Aramis, update all your pics, I still see Polk in there...

I didn't know you went all DT until today! I curiously looked at your sig and noticed that you didn't have your Monitors in there anymore...well done!

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by kndy

So, far testing my Acoustic Audio HD-SUB 12 (again, thanks for the recommendation Big Daddy) and putting it through the "Quantum of Solace" test and "Transformers" test and so far so good!



I do have a technical question. I have a 7.2 setup but I was wondering for an Onkyo 606, is it best to keep the front speakers to full band and let everything go to the subwoofers?

Congratulations on your new sub. Now I know who has been buying the kick-ass 15" subs. No wonder why they are out of stock.

From your picture, I am not sure that is the best for your subwoofer. With two subwoofers, you need to experiment. Try to put the big sub up front in the croner, a couple of feet away from the walls, and put the RCA subwoofer closer to your listening are (e.g., behind the sofa or on the side). See if you get good results. Go to the end of the original post inA Guide to Subwoofers (Part II): Standing Waves & Room Modes and also to the begining of Post #2. There are some diagrams on where you should put two subwoofers.

It is a good idea to let the subwoofers take care of the low frequency sound. Aramis is correct. Set the crossover of the fronts to 40Hz or 60Hz and decide which one gives you better sound. Don't forget to set the volume gain dial on the back of the subwoofer to 50% point, no higher than 75%. Make sure the crossover dial is set to its maximum point. You take care of crossovers in the receiver's menu.

[jaejw1]

Originally Posted by kndy

So, far testing my Acoustic Audio HD-SUB 12 (again, thanks for the recommendation Big Daddy) and putting it through the "Quantum of Solace" test and "Transformers" test and so far so good!

please let us know ow it sounds.. i would like your take on it since it seems that we have the same rca amp.. maybe


has anyone bought the sub15 yet.. and since it is the same as the stf-1.. i wonder which one will sound better..

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by jaejw1

please let us know ow it sounds.. i would like your take on it since it seems that we have the same rca amp.. maybe


has anyone bought the sub15 yet.. and since it is the same as the stf-1.. i wonder which one will sound better..

Kndy's signature says HD-Sub 15.

[jaejw1]

Originally Posted by kndy

So, far testing my Acoustic Audio HD-SUB 12

I didnt even read the signature..... now im confused

[jomari]

quick report:

ive found out why my sub was acting the way it is.




the previous night, we had my mothers 60th birthday party at the house in her celebration.... karaoke night too... and well,

SOMEONE USED THE GORRAM MIDNIGHT SETTINGS/DYNAMIC RANGE COMPRESSION.

it still does sound a bit er... muffled, but after i figured that out, it sounded better, less anemic. then i started playing some stuff, and figured, since this sub i assume, wasnt broken in, its still getting there.

definitely worth the wait, the purchase, and the 200 hard earned clams.

bought my polyfill, but will wait until i get my spl meter back for future testings.

thanks for the posting by the way bigdaddy, nuthin beats numbers on a scientifically made chart.

[JJ]

LMAO @ "GORRAM"

[jomari]

Originally Posted by JJxiv1215

LMAO @ "GORRAM"

nothin but love for the firefly crew.

[kndy]

Whoah...thank you guys for pointing the error on my sig....it's the 12 that I have not the 15. Yikes.

Big Daddy, thanks for the information for subwoofer placement. I bought a 12" RG6 from monoprice.com and I'm about 12-13 ft. away from my television, so I'll order a 25 footer. I never had a subwoofer that close near my sitting area but willing to give it a try.

Currently, my setup is like this:



So, the ideal placement would be something like this?



Until I buy a second powered subwoofer, subwoofer #2 (the 12" unpowered one), would it be best to have that at the front or the back? Keep the Acoustic Audio powered one in the front?

Thank you BD and everyone else for their help and suggestions.

[Big Daddy]

Ideally two identical subwoofers work the best. Until you get another identical sub, try option 3 and see how it works. However, it doesn't hurt to try all the options and see which one will give you the best results. In all cases, keep the subwoofers a couple of feet away from the wall. This is very important for the Acoustic Audio HD-Sub 12. Its port is in the back and you should keep it at least 2 to 3 feet away from the wall. Also make sure you adjust their levels so that one sub does not overpower the other one.

1. Put one sub in the middle of the right wall and one in the midle of the left wall.
2. Put one sub in the middle of the front wall and one in the middle of the rear wall.
3. Put the bigger sub in the front corner and the smaller sub near your sofa (right, left, or behind the sofa).
4. Put one sub in the front corner and one diagonally opposite in the rear corner.

Remember that all rooms are different. There is not one size fits all position. You should be patient and experiment.

Very Good



Good



Best

[DavidinGA]

I bought a 12" PSW-12 (down-firing). Would it be of any benefit to lift the sub up away from the ground any (ie make the legs longer)? It will be used on carpet floor.

Thanks.

[aramis109]

Originally Posted by JJxiv1215

Aramis, update all your pics, I still see Polk in there...

I didn't know you went all DT until today! I curiously looked at your sig and noticed that you didn't have your Monitors in there anymore...well done!

Yeah, I know. I meant to take some pics of the BP2x's but hadn't gotten around to it yet. I need to order some more speaker wire and they're on flippin' backorder at Monoprice in the length I want. Once I get that and get it "showroom ready" I'll take pics again.

Thanks for the kind words- I really fell for the DT's.

Originally Posted by DavidinGA

I bought a 12" PSW-12 (down-firing). Would it be of any benefit to lift the sub up away from the ground any (ie make the legs longer)? It will be used on carpet floor.

Thanks.

It would most likely help, yes.