What is too much bass? - Blu-ray Forum

HAMP · 05-02-2009, 06:24 PM

I know with the size of a movie theater it’s difficult to really fill a room with good bass; or do we have too much bass at home in our much smaller area with two or more subs!

Reason for this thread, I have often read that people want their set-up to reproduce the sound as the director intended. Are we over doing it with multiple subs? I don’t mean the kind of bass where your windows shake and knick-knacks are falling off of the shelf or your unable to understand the dialog because the level of bass is just to overwhelming.

Once we get use to something and then you get less, a person will feel shorthanded and want it all.

I went to see X-Men yesterday and while watching this movie I was listening for the bass and I wanted to go tell the projections to plug in the subwoofers. Yet listening to the sound nothing was overwhelming, Yes the bass seem not to be there, but was that because I am so use to hard hitting bass at home and I’m not hearing it as intended by the director at home?

Believe me I love my subs and the level I have them, but are we over doing it with multiple subs? Or was I cheated out of the sound from the movie theater?

Driver_King · 05-02-2009, 06:34 PM

Our local movie theater has the subs cranked big time. Anytime someone falls or something, the subs make a lot of noise.

jibucha · 05-02-2009, 07:00 PM

Hello

Most play with too much poor quality bass in home theater.

It's simple; measure the system room frequency response, and it should be flat from 16Hz to 24KHz, or beyond.

It's not really complicated.

However, most systems are really high in the low frequencies, and poor quality performance as well.

Thank You

HAMP · 05-02-2009, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Driver_King

Our local movie theater has the subs cranked big time. Anytime someone falls or something, the subs make a lot of noise.

Really? Then I'm being cheated... lol

Quote:

Originally Posted by jibucha

Hello

Most play with too much poor quality bass in home theater.

It's simple; measure the system room frequency response, and it should be flat from 16Hz to 24KHz, or beyond.

It's not really complicated.

However, most systems are really high in the low frequencies, and poor quality performance as well.

Thank You

Are you saying I have poor quality bass at home? because your response dosen't explain low level of bass from a theater.

jomari · 05-02-2009, 07:08 PM

i guess i view it in two folds.

most people i believe have two subs for different reasons,
1. for having more bass spread throughout the HT area
2. to have more bass...

i prefer to have the former as the better reason, and actually prefer to have dual subs to even out, and address null spots that ive located in my setup. i guess its also a matter of preference as well, being my choice of music doesnt reflect that much of it either (jazz being one of them)...

the second half would be our experience with subwoofers.

comparing a mainstream cinema versus that of our own setup can make us think too technical, or judge it and somehow deviate us from enjoying the reason were there for - to watch a movie.

the movie theaters are catering to what is needed, but not towards the simple design we have created for OURSELVES.

i guess with that in mind, i leave my brain at the door, and just 'read the movie' and enjoy it.

back to the bass topic, its also a matter of how clean we want it. sure we can get some good bass in a room, but we can also overdo it and end up like that guy who was driving right next to you, with his trunk rattling with excited screws and and overly big rearview mirror trinkets.

Grevlin · 05-02-2009, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jomari

i guess i view it in two folds.

most people i believe have two subs for different reasons,
1. for having more bass spread throughout the HT area
2. to have more bass...

i prefer to have the former as the better reason, and actually prefer to have dual subs to even out, and address null spots that ive located in my setup. i guess its also a matter of preference as well, being my choice of music doesnt reflect that much of it either (jazz being one of them)...

the second half would be our experience with subwoofers.

comparing a mainstream cinema versus that of our own setup can make us think too technical, or judge it and somehow deviate us from enjoying the reason were there for - to watch a movie.

the movie theaters are catering to what is needed, but not towards the simple design we have created for OURSELVES.

i guess with that in mind, i leave my brain at the door, and just 'read the movie' and enjoy it.

back to the bass topic, its also a matter of how clean we want it. sure we can get some good bass in a room, but we can also overdo it and end up like that guy who was driving right next to you, with his trunk rattling with excited screws and and overly big rearview mirror trinkets.

I went to the movies recently with my sister, and on the way home she said "your little TV and sound system is much better then that!"

I said thanks, followed by
What do you mean 'little tv!'

It seems pretty easy to "up" your system enough to surpass the conventional theater experience. (Scaled down to a smaller room, that is) They still have one on us- the new releases.

By the way, am I the only one that believes sitting at the back of the theater is pointless. The relative screen size at that distance is that of a regular living room set. I always shoot for the middle about half way up where the edges of the screen are just within peripheral vision. (The section that fills up first)

jibucha · 05-02-2009, 07:44 PM

Hello

I was not saying anything regarding subjective interpretations of any home theater system; that is for you to personally decide.

I did not get too much into movie theater bass, but the same technical information applies.

However, while at home we have control over everything, in movie theaters, only the theater management has control, so it seems beyond any reason to get too involved.

Thank You

Quote:

Originally Posted by HAMP

Are you saying I have poor quality bass at home? because your response dosen't explain low level of bass from a theater.

primaz · 05-02-2009, 07:46 PM

It depends on your theater as they are in it to make a profit and not all have great sound systems. Some IMAX theaters have good sound. To me multiple subs are more for providing flat bass response everywhere as we are not often placing the speakers at the optimal place as the rooms we use are not designed for home theaters. I added an Outlaw Audio sub as my second sub and am so happy with two subs! Yes my system is better like many of you than typical public movie theaters and that is why I do not go to theaters very often as I have better experience at home.

jomari · 05-02-2009, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grevlin

It seems pretty easy to "up" your system enough to surpass the conventional theater experience. (Scaled down to a smaller room, that is) They still have one on us- the new releases.

Touche'

Quote:

By the way, am I the only one that believes sitting at the back of the theater is pointless. The relative screen size at that distance is that of a regular living room set. I always shoot for the middle about half way up where the edges of the screen are just within peripheral vision. (The section that fills up first)

most people who sit at the back of the theater arent there to watch a movie to be honest. most of em are also couples. who live with their parents.

anywhoo, its quite subjective to consider how 'big' you'd like to go with the screen size at home. of course you can always go bigger, but at a certain cost as well, with lamp life as an example, as well as loosing picture quality (this applies tho, to the older generation pjs' but again, subjective). i always consider the pj calculator to help out with determining the size of the screen, and also how long youd be using it so to speak. eye strain isnt something i like to encounter while watching a movie. like bass, you can definitely have more, but is it good for your experience?

zedd_117 · 05-02-2009, 08:39 PM

You know, I've been thinking a lot about this myself.

I'm in the process of looking for a new house and I'd like to find one with a decent size room (Somewhere around 20' square) or an open basement. I'm also looking at picking up a pair of Def Tech's Mythos STS Supertowers to finsh out my Mythos 7.1 set-up. I have been wondering whether or not I'd hook up the subs in the towers in addition to my Supercube 2 Sub.

Seems to me like it would be a bit much...

But if I were to get a new Onkyo 707 or 807 which would most definaly have the 2 sub outs (the 607 does). Would I just run them both (split the towers and 1 line to the 'cube.

I guess it depends on the accoustics of the room.

I do agree that my setup at home is nicer then the local theatres. (not to toot my own horn, just personal preference.)

Big Daddy · 05-02-2009, 10:48 PM

They ran simulation programs using 5,000 subwoofers in the National Research Council of Canada and Harmon International. That is my ultimate goal. Currently, I have 6 subwoofers in my HT room (three 15" and three 12"). I need another 4,994.

Tru2theBlu · 05-02-2009, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

They ran simulation programs using 5,000 subwoofers in the National Research Council of Canada and Harmon International. That is my ultimate goal. Currently, I have 6 subwoofers in my HT room (three 15" and three 12"). I need another 4,994.

How big was the freaking room?

Big Daddy · 05-02-2009, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tru2theBlu

How big was the freaking room?

It was a computer simulation.

Tru2theBlu · 05-02-2009, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

It was a computer simulation.

Sorry, I miss read that. The Wifey was talking my head off, you know how that goes.

jomari · 05-02-2009, 11:56 PM

if ever, one thing id want to experiment with is IB subs.

Big daddy, just wondering about your thoughts on IB's... you probably have one in the bathroom dont you?

JasonR · 05-02-2009, 11:59 PM

One of members has IB subs, they look sweet!

https://www.blu-ray.com/community/ga...&folderid=360#

jomari · 05-03-2009, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JasonR

One of members has IB subs, they look sweet!

https://www.blu-ray.com/community/ga...&folderid=360#

saw that a while back. but he also has a barn too!

heres one from a good friend of mine mtbdudex...

see them on the right size?

apparently, you can also pressure cook stuff with em too.

crazyBLUE · 05-03-2009, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jomari

saw that a while back. but he also has a barn too!

heres one from a good friend of mine mtbdudex...

see them on the right size?

apparently, you can also pressure cook stuff with em too.

That is one awsome looking HT ~ jomari

JJ · 05-03-2009, 12:20 AM

Ack! Where has the black bars gone?!?!?1

lol. No, but, seriously - that is impressive.

But on an on-topic note, I'm not a bass junkie. I just want even bass throughout my HT room, that's my only intent in two subwoofers, not to overwhelm myself. I'm one of those who believe that shaking the windows, the glasses in the kitchen, or rattling the walls is a bad thing - and not what you're supposed to do with bass. Sure, I can turn up the gain and achieve this - but again, that's not the point.

crazyBLUE · 05-03-2009, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJxiv1215

Ack! Where has the black bars gone?!?!?1

lol. No, but, seriously - that is impressive.

But on an on-topic note, I'm not a bass junkie. I just want even bass throughout my HT room, that's my only intent in two subwoofers, not to overwhelm myself. I'm one of those who believe that shaking the windows, the glasses in the kitchen, or rattling the walls is a bad thing - and not what you're supposed to do with bass. Sure, I can turn up the gain and achieve this - but again, that's not the point.

I feel the same way JJ , My sub is not set to shake the building !! It is there so you hear it !!

05-02-2009, 06:24 PM	#1
HAMP Banned Top contributor Member since:Oct 2007 Location:Michigan Home Theater Gallery:13 Blu-ray collection:272 Trading Score:1	What is too much bass? I know with the size of a movie theater it’s difficult to really fill a room with good bass; or do we have too much bass at home in our much smaller area with two or more subs! Reason for this thread, I have often read that people want their set-up to reproduce the sound as the director intended. Are we over doing it with multiple subs? I don’t mean the kind of bass where your windows shake and knick-knacks are falling off of the shelf or your unable to understand the dialog because the level of bass is just to overwhelming. Once we get use to something and then you get less, a person will feel shorthanded and want it all. I went to see X-Men yesterday and while watching this movie I was listening for the bass and I wanted to go tell the projections to plug in the subwoofers. Yet listening to the sound nothing was overwhelming, Yes the bass seem not to be there, but was that because I am so use to hard hitting bass at home and I’m not hearing it as intended by the director at home? Believe me I love my subs and the level I have them, but are we over doing it with multiple subs? Or was I cheated out of the sound from the movie theater?

05-02-2009, 07:00 PM	#3
jibucha Special Member Member since:Feb 2007 Trading Score:45	Too Much Bass? Hello Most play with too much poor quality bass in home theater. It's simple; measure the system room frequency response, and it should be flat from 16Hz to 24KHz, or beyond. It's not really complicated. However, most systems are really high in the low frequencies, and poor quality performance as well. Thank You Last edited by jibucha; 05-02-2009 at 07:01 PM. Reason: typo

05-02-2009, 07:46 PM	#8
primaz Active Member Member since:Dec 2008	multiple subs are great It depends on your theater as they are in it to make a profit and not all have great sound systems. Some IMAX theaters have good sound. To me multiple subs are more for providing flat bass response everywhere as we are not often placing the speakers at the optimal place as the rooms we use are not designed for home theaters. I added an Outlaw Audio sub as my second sub and am so happy with two subs! Yes my system is better like many of you than typical public movie theaters and that is why I do not go to theaters very often as I have better experience at home.

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05-02-2009, 06:34 PM	#2
Driver_King Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Tampa Bay, Florida Home Theater Gallery:96 Blu-ray collection:28 Trading Score:10	Our local movie theater has the subs cranked big time. Anytime someone falls or something, the subs make a lot of noise.

05-02-2009, 07:08 PM	#5
jomari Moderator Top contributor Member since:Nov 2007 Home Theater Gallery:18 Blu-ray reviews: 2 Trading Score:2	i guess i view it in two folds. most people i believe have two subs for different reasons, 1. for having more bass spread throughout the HT area 2. to have more bass... i prefer to have the former as the better reason, and actually prefer to have dual subs to even out, and address null spots that ive located in my setup. i guess its also a matter of preference as well, being my choice of music doesnt reflect that much of it either (jazz being one of them)... the second half would be our experience with subwoofers. comparing a mainstream cinema versus that of our own setup can make us think too technical, or judge it and somehow deviate us from enjoying the reason were there for - to watch a movie. the movie theaters are catering to what is needed, but not towards the simple design we have created for OURSELVES. i guess with that in mind, i leave my brain at the door, and just 'read the movie' and enjoy it. back to the bass topic, its also a matter of how clean we want it. sure we can get some good bass in a room, but we can also overdo it and end up like that guy who was driving right next to you, with his trunk rattling with excited screws and and overly big rearview mirror trinkets.

05-02-2009, 08:39 PM	#10
zedd_117 Expert Member Member since:Oct 2008 Location:Monessen, PA Blu-ray collection:353 Trading Score:3	You know, I've been thinking a lot about this myself. I'm in the process of looking for a new house and I'd like to find one with a decent size room (Somewhere around 20' square) or an open basement. I'm also looking at picking up a pair of Def Tech's Mythos STS Supertowers to finsh out my Mythos 7.1 set-up. I have been wondering whether or not I'd hook up the subs in the towers in addition to my Supercube 2 Sub. Seems to me like it would be a bit much... But if I were to get a new Onkyo 707 or 807 which would most definaly have the 2 sub outs (the 607 does). Would I just run them both (split the towers and 1 line to the 'cube. I guess it depends on the accoustics of the room. I do agree that my setup at home is nicer then the local theatres. (not to toot my own horn, just personal preference.)

05-02-2009, 10:48 PM	#11
Big Daddy Blu-ray Champion Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Southern California Home Theater Gallery:79 Blu-ray collection:122 Trading Score:1	They ran simulation programs using 5,000 subwoofers in the National Research Council of Canada and Harmon International. That is my ultimate goal. Currently, I have 6 subwoofers in my HT room (three 15" and three 12"). I need another 4,994.

05-02-2009, 11:56 PM	#15
jomari Moderator Top contributor Member since:Nov 2007 Home Theater Gallery:18 Blu-ray reviews: 2 Trading Score:2	if ever, one thing id want to experiment with is IB subs. Big daddy, just wondering about your thoughts on IB's... you probably have one in the bathroom dont you?

05-02-2009, 11:59 PM	#16
JasonR Super Moderator Top contributor Member since:Nov 2007 Trading Score:12	One of members has IB subs, they look sweet! https://www.blu-ray.com/community/ga...&folderid=360#

05-03-2009, 12:20 AM	#19
JJ Blu-ray Count Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Miami, FL Home Theater Gallery:99 4K collection:619 Blu-ray collection:1293 DVD collection:31 Digital collection:5 Blu-ray reviews: 18 Trading Score:203	Ack! Where has the black bars gone?!?!?1 lol. No, but, seriously - that is impressive. But on an on-topic note, I'm not a bass junkie. I just want even bass throughout my HT room, that's my only intent in two subwoofers, not to overwhelm myself. I'm one of those who believe that shaking the windows, the glasses in the kitchen, or rattling the walls is a bad thing - and not what you're supposed to do with bass. Sure, I can turn up the gain and achieve this - but again, that's not the point.

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