Sub Level Preferences?

[acritzer]

When calibrating your system how much bass do you prefer? Equal to other speakers? +3 decibles? +5?

I think I had mine set high for a while and now that it's calibrated it seems a bit low. Just wondering what everyone else prefers.

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by acritzer

When calibrating your system how much bass do you prefer? Equal to other speakers? +3 decibles? +5?

I think I had mine set high for a while and now that it's calibrated it seems a bit low. Just wondering what everyone else prefers.

+3db or +5dB do not mean anything without a point of reference. For example, I have 4 subwoofers in my HT room and the gain in the receiver is -2.5dB. What does that mean? You need to state your question more clearly. This is the way I would do it.

After you have finished calibrating your speakers and subwoofer (s), are you satisfied with the level of bass? If not, how much do you increase it by?

[acritzer]

Okay sorry. What I meant is if you measure your speakers at a set level on the spl meter, how does the sub measurement compare? Most people try and use 75 I guess. Do they leave the sub at 75 or do they make it 78 or 80?

Hope that's more clear.

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by acritzer

Okay sorry. What I meant is if you measure your speakers at a set level on the spl meter, how does the sub measurement compare? Most people try and use 75 I guess. Do they leave the sub at 75 or do they make it 78 or 80?

Hope that's more clear.

My problem is the opposite. I normally set the levels on the back of my subwoofers to 60% or less. When I calibrate the speakers to 75dB with an SPL meter, my subwoofers are around 85dB and I have to fiddle with the levels to lower them. I also equalize them manually with the Velodyne SMS equalizer. Currently, they are about 3dB higher than the speakers, but the frequency is almost perfectly flat from 15Hz to 100Hz.

If you are not happy with the level of your sub, you can increase its level. Remember that increasing the level of the subwoofer increases the chance of the subwoofer bottoming or getting damaged.

Before you mess with the subwoofer's level, experiment with the location of the subwoofer. That may give you the increased level of bass without any risk.

[Rob J in WNY]

Agree that between the physical location of the sub and its "level" or "volume" dial setting, the numerical settings at the receiver are relative at best from system to system.

My Polk Audio PSW125 subwoofer is located in the most ideal floor location for my listening position. Volume dial is set about 1 o'clock position, and crossover dial is set at 120Hz. Pioneer Elite SC-05 receiver is set for an 80Hz crossover (discrete LFE material will still rise to 120Hz), and sub channel level is set to +3dB (with L & R channels at reference 0dB level). All speaker channels are set as "small."

[liquidice]

sub preferance?.....Cousins.

[acritzer]

I think I'll keep tweaking the setting and placement. I don't have a lot of options, but could move closer to the corner a bit. How near/far to the corner and/or wall do you guys recommend?

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by acritzer

I think I'll keep tweaking the setting and placement. I don't have a lot of options, but could move closer to the corner a bit. How near/far to the corner and/or wall do you guys recommend?

At least one foot from any wall is recommended....and be careful of corner placement, as it tends to make a sub sound "boomy."

[DonRSD]

Originally Posted by Rob J in WNY

Agree that between the physical location of the sub and its "level" or "volume" dial setting, the numerical settings at the receiver are relative at best from system to system.

My Polk Audio PSW125 subwoofer is located in the most ideal floor location for my listening position. Volume dial is set about 1 o'clock position, and crossover dial is set at 120Hz. Pioneer Elite SC-05 receiver is set for an 80Hz crossover (discrete LFE material will still rise to 120Hz), and sub channel level is set to +3dB (with L & R channels at reference 0dB level). All speaker channels are set as "small."

thats what i do

• volume level on my sub is set around 12 to 1 oclock
• crossover dial on my SUB is set to max (like 120 or 130hz)
• LPF of LFE on my onkyo 806 is set to 80hz for LPF of LFE
• 5 speakers are set to 80db
• subwoofer is set to 83db

Originally Posted by forsberg21

At least one foot from any wall is recommended....and be careful of corner placement, as it tends to make a sub sound "boomy."

agreed 100%
i want to move my subwoofer so bad but i have no other option besides behind the front left speaker which is starting to piss me off

i could run a wire for the sub to next to the couch but im worried about getting the 'boomy bass' as it will be in the corner

[Uniquely]

I calibrated my system to 75db's but backed my sub off to about 67 db's. It was just too boomy, but then I do have a sealed room.

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by robinandtami

I calibrated my system to 75db's but backed my sub off to about 67 db's. It was just too boomy, but then I do have a sealed room.

Except when your cats open the door!! LOL!!!!

[Uniquely]

Originally Posted by forsberg21

Except when your cats open the door!! LOL!!!!

Only until I get heavier doors!

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by robinandtami

Only until I get heavier doors!

If you do, your cats may take up arms......