Erik.Ha

subwoofer calibration / volume

Im setting up my new Denon 3803. VERY happy. I have Digital Video Essentials and a sound meter. All my speakers are set to small and x-over is 80hz.

My problem is, when I get to the powered sub (a Boston 75W)the meter pegs off the scale. The sub is very close to my listening position, where it probably has to stay because of space constraints. I've had to turn the volume on the speaker itself down to the "9 o'clock" position (six o clock = zero) AND turn down the receivers sub channel setting to -11 DB (-12 being OFF) to even get close to the 75DB level of the other channels. (While calibrating it wiggles from 75 to off scale)

My problem is, 1/4 power on the sub and -11 on the receiver seems way too low. At these levels I don't hear/feel much of anything coming from the sub during normal operation. It almost doesn't seem to be on.

Prior to setting it up, I was watching some college bowl games, and I could lightly "feel" the thump of the band's drums at halftime- It sounded like I was at the game. Now The bass drums don't seem to be coming out of the sub at all.... Explosions don't rumble, etc...

Should it be turned down this low?

WayneO

If it's calibrated with the rest of the speakers, yes. Most people are suprised the first time they calibrate their speakers with a meter how far off they are. The lower frequencies are definately more culprit to being to "hot" when done be ear. You just have to unlearn how things should sound. I'm not gonna knock your listening habits, but you probably are just used to listening to things with more bass than is natural. If you like this great, set it up the way you like, if not, you'll eventually get used to it, maybe even appreciate over time clearer midrange and high frequency output that this should result in.

This also gets noticed a lot by people who upgrade a boomy, poorly made subwoofer to a more cleaner accurate one, they say "where'd my bass go?" They miss the sound where all the bass was artificially put out by an inferior sub. After some time they begin to appreciate the clarity and actually improves the impact of the genuine low frequencies that occur in listening material.

Edward J M

There is a major problem with the DVE subwoofer calibration level. It is encoded way too high, resulting in a test tone that is too loud and causes you to undercalibrate the sub.

DO NOT use DVE for calibrating your sub. Or, failing that, increase the sub level anywhere from 5-10 dB above what DVE says it "should" be.

There is a thread on the subject over in the DVD software forum. Email JKP for the latest if the thread is getting stale.

Ed Mullen
SVS Customer Service
sales@svsound.com
techsupport@svsound.com

"What we do in life, echoes in eternity."

steve nn

You could also go to the THX Optimizer calibration tool on a DVD that you most likely should have. (SW I)(SW II)(GlADIATOR)(U-571).. I forget how close it is but it would give you a idea within a db or two just how close you are.

If I recall correctly Ed, the under calibrating DVE issue on the .1 chan was quit substantial? Maybe as much as -8db? I think I might have picked that up in one of your prior posts?

kirtis_mcleskey

people always say that about subwoofers

in a movie theater when you hear bass you dont hear clean good bass, you hear boommy bass, bass that sounds thundering and real, and thats how I have my set up, set up lol

and I LOVE it

Edward J M

Joe Kane said it can vary from room to room, but it can be anywhere from 5-10 dB. Check the thread for details. In my room, with my sub, it is around 10 dB too hot and does indeed peg the meter.

I'm having excellent results with Avia running about 86 dB on the meter.

Ed Mullen
SVS Customer Service
sales@svsound.com
techsupport@svsound.com

"What we do in life, echoes in eternity."

Erik.Ha

Thank you! I knew there had to be a problem.


So when I set up the sub should I leave the receiver level at zero and use the sub volume to hit the right level on the meter? or should I put the sub volume in the middle and add +8dbs or so on the receiver? Does it make a difference?

steve nn

Try putting the gain on your sub at 35-40% and the gain on your receiver at -5 to -3. I bet this will put you fairly close? Fine tune it from there. Try to stay under 0 on your receiver and under 45% gain on your sub. It should be no problem with your placement.

Wayne Ernst

But, one could also have good bass from a good subwoofer that puts out 125dB @ 30 Hz and hits them in the chest with action movies. Personally, this is the preferred bass method for me.

\"My reality check ... just bounced\"

Erik.Ha

Thanks Steve:

I set it up as you said and fine tuned it, and it sounds great.

steve nn