What is a subwoofer supposed to sound like?

[srinivas1015]

I've done the crawl test and based on that, I've placed my sub behind my listening position (around 3 feet behind) for the last two years. But the the thing is that I've never felt actual vibrations, the LFE feels 'heavier'. That is, the overall sound has a weight to it and the sound gets heavier during the more intense LFE scenes. But the windows rattle even though I can't feel the actual vibrations.

Today, I tried putting the sub right next to my sofa(inches from my seating position) and for the first time, I actually felt tremors and vibrations inside my sofa! But this sounds a little boomy at times and during some instances such as music in a club in a movie, I can localize the sub. I placed it in the L-shaped gap between the two sofas. Will the reflections result in standing waves? :






I was just wondering, what is a sub supposed to sound like? Is it supposed to sound 'heavy' or are you supposed to feel the couch shaking? SHould I go back to the usual spot or should I try to work it out with it next to my seating position?

[tommyboy81]

You want the bass to sound as full as can be in the room. To me, having stuff like pictures, glasses and windows means its too hot. Which to some it's a plus. But not to a point where its boomy.

You shouldn't really feel yourself vibrate. Subs that go below 20Hz will punch you in the chest.

Mine goes down to 24Hz and with the low stuff I can feel the pressure in the room rise. My ears can feel it. If you want to feel the shaking their are products out there that can help. Like Buttkickers

Their others here with more knowledge than me.

[srinivas1015]

Originally Posted by tommyboy81

You want the bass to sound as full as can be in the room. To me, having stuff like pictures, glasses and windows means its too hot. Which to some it's a plus. But not to a point where its boomy.

You shouldn't really feel yourself vibrate. Subs that go below 20Hz will punch you in the chest.

Mine goes down to 24Hz and with the low stuff I can feel the pressure in the room rise. My ears can feel it. If you want to feel the shaking their are products out there that can help. Like Buttkickers

Their others here with more knowledge than me.

Exactly, I can feel the pressure increase. I thought I was doing something wrong as I've never felt vibrations. The only way it happened today was I put the sub a few inches next to the sofa and increased the dB level of the sub by 4 points. But this screwed up everything else and it got annoying once the gimmick factor wore off.

My local Multiplex's LFE literally shakes the chairs as if there's an earthquake of 5 on the Richter scale! I didn't like this that much as the LFE didn't 'blend' well with the speakers. Is this how they're supposed to sound or is a good sub only supposed to increase the air pressure?

[timcat4843]

You should checkout Crowson Tactile Motion for your sofa.

[Billy13]

Good, quality bass IS felt, as well as heard.

That being said, I've had one of my subs by my couch, and it was a lot more heavy feeling in the sofa, but in my room, this isn't the best place for it. As every room is quite different, there is no textbook answer where it should be placed. Do the sub crawl, and if you like it better in a different position, then put it where you like it the best. And if you like the bass to be hot, then turn it up, if not, then wherever you like it.

After all, this is a hobby of how we perceive sound, and we all hear differently.

[tommyboy81]

Yeah, like I can go into Billy's house and say, "this sucks!" kidding

[theJman]

The issue probably lies with something I found in your signature... Sony 5.1 HTIB. The sub that came with your system is more than likely not capable of extending low enough to provide a tactile sensation. Your description of a "muddy" or "heavy" sound would also be accurate for something like an HTiB sub. Unless you're referring to the Polk system. If so, what sub are you using with those speakers?

[Tom V.]

Originally Posted by srinivas1015

I've done the crawl test and based on that, I've placed my sub behind my listening position (around 3 feet behind) for the last two years. But the the thing is that I've never felt actual vibrations, the LFE feels 'heavier'. That is, the overall sound has a weight to it and the sound gets heavier during the more intense LFE scenes. But the windows rattle even though I can't feel the actual vibrations.

Today, I tried putting the sub right next to my sofa(inches from my seating position) and for the first time, I actually felt tremors and vibrations inside my sofa! But this sounds a little boomy at times and during some instances such as music in a club in a movie, I can localize the sub. I placed it in the L-shaped gap between the two sofas. Will the reflections result in standing waves? :






I was just wondering, what is a sub supposed to sound like? Is it supposed to sound 'heavy' or are you supposed to feel the couch shaking? SHould I go back to the usual spot or should I try to work it out with it next to my seating position?

Be sure to re-run Audyssey each time you move the subwoofer. If you don't the calibration could be off along with the time delay(distance setting).

The 550 is flat down to about 30-32hz iirc, very sharp filtering <30hz. Output is limited. I'd try nearfield or corners. The spot right between the two seating positions is definitely worth a try.

Tom V.