The Official Acoustic Audio Subwoofer Owners Thread

[Big Daddy]

I decided to measure the frequency response of my Acoustic Audio HD-Sub 12 subwoofer. Unfortunately, a home theater room is not the best place for this type of measurements. The frequency response changes quite a bit in different locations in the room. I am also aware that the Audyssey calibration program has tweaked the subwoofer's frequency, but I am not trying to win the Nobel prize. Who wants to live in an anechoic chamber?

I took a few measurements and finally decided to take the readings about a meter (≈3.2 ft) directly in front of the subwoofer.

I turned the volume on the back of the subwoofer to the middle (50% point) and turned the subwoofer’s gain in the receiver to zero. The receiver's volume was intentionally set high in the 90dB range so that the measurements are calculated more accurately in case of weak sound output at some frequencies. All the other speakers and subwoofers in the room were turned off.

I played Rives Audio’s Test CD-2 test tones and measured the levels of the sound outputs at different frequencies with my Radio Shack Digital SPL Meter. I recorded the numbers and then plotted SPL in dB’s versus frequency in Hertz using Microsoft Excel. The following graph demonstrates the results.

The subwoofer performs very well in the low and middle frequencies up to 130Hz. After this point, the sound output begins to drop significantly. The reason is because the maximum level on the crossover network on the back of the subwoofer is set at 130Hz.

[aramis109]

Originally Posted by jaejw1

a lil review to go by... how accurate would you say this is http://www.hometheaterfocus.com/spea...coustics7.aspx

im still at a brick wall. with my choices.. im back and forth ,, cant decide..

acoustic audio.. svs,,, eD,,, premier acoustics...tca sasquatch-10

Have to read the rest of the posts later, but I scanned this review. The sub is slightly different than this- different driver as they went away from the copper color I think due to legal issues with Klipsch. However, the box dimensions and amp look the same, as do the stats, so I would say it's a fair review of the subwoofer. I think it looks nicer than the one they have pictured, since it has a piano black top and silver driver, but otherwise I think it's about the same.

[JJ]

Sheesh - at least wait til I review it, too - you know what they say, if BD and JJ both approve, then what the heck - get one. lol.

[cel4145]

Originally Posted by callas01

cel4145, yes, energy has a good reputation on all speakers and subs, personally my opinion on 8" subs is, if your gonna use them, use 2 of them. I was gonna get the 10" energy sub you are looking at but got the AA sub and I am happier then I expected.

Thanks for the reply.

Well, I chickened out and decided to buy locally from Audio Advisor (just placed my order for pick up but I did upgrade to a 10" sub) so that I can return things if I have any problems. If I could have done the same with Acoustic Audio, I would have certainly given them a try instead.

[parkerwilson]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

On the back of the subwoofer, turn the volume to 50% point (middle) and turn the crossover all the way up to its maximum point. The crossover is set in the receiver's menu. You can adjust the volume a little, but don't increase it more than the 75% point.

Run the calibration program again. It doesn't matter what the settings are as long the levels of all the speakers are the same. If Audyssey does not measure the distances correctly, use a measuring tape.

Subwoofer placement in the room is the most important factor in getting good bass sound. You need to be patient and experiment with its position. You can start by putting it in a corner at least a couple of feet away from the walls. After you are completely satisfied with its position, run the calibration program again.

What do you mean, can you explain a little bit more.

Here is a layout of my room.

[IMG][/IMG]

[aramis109]

Originally Posted by parkerwilson

What do you mean, can you explain a little bit more.

Here is a layout of my room.

[IMG][/IMG]

Image is blocked here at work, but what he's saying is that from your central/main listening point, all of your speakers should be calibrated to output the same level/db of audio. IE, if you play a test tone all the way around your speakers, it should optimally be 75db loud on each speaker. Audyssey does a pretty good job of this, or you can use an SPL meter.

So, for example, if you look at my setup, my left front speaker is set about 1.5 db's higher than my right front speaker due to room acoustics. This means that it's outputting a little louder than the right, but due to my particular setup, when it hits me in the main listening position, the levels are exactly the same.

[DavidinGA]

Has anyone successfully made an offer on any Acoustic Audio subs on Ebay?

[JJ]

Originally Posted by DavidinGA

Has anyone successfully made an offer on any Acoustic Audio subs on Ebay?

I won the HDSub-10 in Cherry that ended last night - $138. Saved me $21.00,

[DavidinGA]

Originally Posted by JJxiv1215

I won the HDSub-10 in Cherry that ended last night - $138. Saved me $21.00,

Nice. I'm trying to make a successful offer on a buy it now sub at a lower price + use my $10 off coupon through paypal.

I offered up to $140 on a HD-12 in black but it was declined.

[erict]

Originally Posted by DavidinGA

Nice. I'm trying to make a successful offer on a buy it now sub at a lower price + use my $10 off coupon through paypal.

I offered up to $140 on a HD-12 in black but it was declined.

Don't feel bad, I offered $175 and was declined

[DavidinGA]

Originally Posted by erict

Don't feel bad, I offered $175 and was declined

Holy crap! They're really holding out for every penny huh?!

[jaejw1]

Originally Posted by aramis109

Image is blocked here at work, but what he's saying is that from your central/main listening point, all of your speakers should be calibrated to output the same level/db of audio. IE, if you play a test tone all the way around your speakers, it should optimally be 75db loud on each speaker. Audyssey does a pretty good job of this, or you can use an SPL meter.

So, for example, if you look at my setup, my left front speaker is set about 1.5 db's higher than my right front speaker due to room acoustics. This means that it's outputting a little louder than the right, but due to my particular setup, when it hits me in the main listening position, the levels are exactly the same.

now how high should the rcvr be to get 75db... should everything be set at zero... and do you go off of the centers response level or the mains... seems to be easier to do it off the center since it doesnt have a matching speaker... left/right

i just did mine (probably did it wrong) but i matched everything off the center channel.. with the sub being about 10db hgher... now it sounds much better but now that 44hz freq response (according to manual )
is extremely noticed... no low end at all..lol.. oh well.. i just need to get used to it.. had no idea why i set it so high before..lol..

btw i used the radio shack decimeter.. range 70 c - weighted slow..

[DavidinGA]

Bought a 12" Powered Sub 500W Acoustic Audio Home PSW-12 through Ebay. Made an offer of $120.00 and it was accepted! Saved $17 something. Then used my $10off coupon code; so I got it for $110.00!


Not too bad.



Not as good of a deal as what I picked up my Energy speakers for though. I got 2 Energy C-300 towers and 2 Energy C-50 surrounds for $149.00 shipped!!!

[parkerwilson]

Originally Posted by aramis109

Image is blocked here at work, but what he's saying is that from your central/main listening point, all of your speakers should be calibrated to output the same level/db of audio. IE, if you play a test tone all the way around your speakers, it should optimally be 75db loud on each speaker. Audyssey does a pretty good job of this, or you can use an SPL meter.

So, for example, if you look at my setup, my left front speaker is set about 1.5 db's higher than my right front speaker due to room acoustics. This means that it's outputting a little louder than the right, but due to my particular setup, when it hits me in the main listening position, the levels are exactly the same.

I understand now, but I don't have a meter so how can I figure out where to set my subwoofer gain knob so its close to 75db?

[aramis109]

Originally Posted by parkerwilson

I understand now, but I don't have a meter so how can I figure out where to set my subwoofer gain knob so its close to 75db?

If you set it to 50% and run Audyssey or whatever mic calibration system your receiver uses, it'll take care of it for you.

Jaejw1- check out Big Daddy's sticky on using an SPL meter in the speaker forum. I think he recommends using 80, though honestly it's moot since you're leveling all the speakers to one another.

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by JJxiv1215

Sheesh - at least wait til I review it, too - you know what they say, if BD and JJ both approve, then what the heck - get one. lol.

I tried to beat you to it.

Did they deliver the sub today? I was impressed when I received mine double boxed.

[jomari]

so, finally unboxed the HD12, and im still playing with it. anyone register their sub yet? you use the item number or order number to 'register'.

quick observations,

1. as BD mentioned, its a very very beautiful cherry. i love cherries.
2. hmm. my sub came with a wierd solid y adapter, actually ONE male two females. dont get it, but hey, got a spare here anyways...
3. double boxed nicely, and also packed pretty well.
4. im still fiddling with it, and will get back to you.

let me explain my Primary HT setup by the way.
- renting second floor apartment, this is a quad apartment with four tenants adjoined by a shared wall.
- neighbors below, sometimes shoots out noise complains via email to manager. havent got one, but he did complain about the neighbors NEXT to us. picky picky picky.
- room dimensions 12x16 with a vaulted ceiling
- primary sub towards back of the room to isolate noise challenges, away from bedrooms.
- secondary sub set in front of room
- room equalization probably at 30Hz

*NB - SPL meter is still AWOL. doing things oldschool by ear.

as wierd as it sounds, i plopped my HDsub12 in the rear of the room where i had my primary subwoofer... dialed it in 12o clock position, crossover settings at full range (so you can get entire bandwidth)

quick observations (and i mean really quick, i still have to play with this okay...)
1. tried to keep my gain at 50% or at the 12 oclock position...no luck...i had to turn my gain all the way up to get the same 'measurement' as my previous 100w subwoofer. removed riser and still isnt 'performing' to what i expected.
2. lights too bright, will deal with that later on..
3. i still have to figure out placement. quite difficult due to the port location (even if my primary sub before was a front firing, it used a circular port, so the difference)

will keep you updated. if my spl meter doesnt come back, im going to end up buying a new one. and lose an old friend.

[JJ]

Originally Posted by jomari

quick observations (and i mean really quick, i still have to play with this okay...)
1. tried to keep my gain at 50% or at the 12 oclock position...no luck...i had to turn my gain all the way up to get the same 'measurement' as my previous 100w subwoofer. removed riser and still isnt 'performing' to what i expected.

....

Yea, I did, Pops - but no time to unbox it or set it up and play with it for a few days.

[callas01]

Jomari, I felt that it took a couple days to warm up.....

[jomari]

Originally Posted by callas01

Jomari, I felt that it took a couple days to warm up.....

true, but considering i had a 100watt subwoofer, which is of course substandard to my taste, was performing a lot better than this 400watt rated amp. of course ive considered that the other sub has been tuned in for a while, and that i had to put the gain all the way up. but with this amps driving power, thats a big difference, and consider what its driving versus a 10inch sub, im still wondering if somethings wrong in this picture.

amps working, but is it the right one? maybe they swapped out the subs amp? if i got a bad amp its either it works or not. so power of deduction, it might be the wrong one.

honestly, ive had my gf purchase it for me (i couldnt do it at work, so she got it for me via ebay), and maybe that might be a good reason to give her a lemon so to speak. or something subpar.

ive also looked at the craftsmanship on this, and well, the front curved woodwork wasnt even. maybe its just me, maybe im just nitpicking. or maybe im a tad disappointed. but the cherry color is just driving me nuts.

make no mistake, i definitely respect big daddy and others opinion on this subwoofer, but right now, im still working on this one. as mentioned, PLACEMENT IS OF THE ESSENCE. but why would my 10 inchers position yield a better response to this one? im tracing everything here, and somethings not right.

once i get things into place, i will let you know my final opinion on this sub. for now, its time to eat.