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Considering dual subs

post #1 of 14
10/21/08 at 6:01pm
Thread Starter 
I have a 16'X18' media room and currently running a SVS PB10-NSD in the back right corner. The back row of seats (on a 6" riser) gets good impact from the sub, but the front row, not so hot.
I'm considering adding a Paradigm Ultracube 10 and sticking it in the front left corner of the room. Couple of questions ...

I have a Denon AVR-3808 receiver and I set up all the speakers via the Audyssey MultiEQ calibration with a mic. During this process, it measures speaker distances (including the sub) from the main listening position. Would this work with two subs? Also, during the calibration I am supposed to set the volume knob to the 12o'clock position and the receiver adjusts it's LFE level accordingly. Should I expect an accurate adjustment with two subs hooked up or would I need to use another method to set up my speaker levels, distances, etc...Thanks Much
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post #2 of 14
10/21/08 at 7:02pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Considering dual subs

Also thinking that maybe it would be better to stick with a single sub and replace it with a bigger/better one, in which case, I would be interested in some sub recommendations
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post #3 of 14
10/21/08 at 7:33pm

Re: Considering dual subs

Quote:
Originally Posted by TexasStation
I have a 16'X18' media room and currently running a SVS PB10-NSD in the back right corner. The back row of seats (on a 6" riser) gets good impact from the sub, but the front row, not so hot.
I'm considering adding a Paradigm Ultracube 10 and sticking it in the front left corner of the room. Couple of questions ...

I have a Denon AVR-3808 receiver and I set up all the speakers via the Audyssey MultiEQ calibration with a mic. During this process, it measures speaker distances (including the sub) from the main listening position. Would this work with two subs? Also, during the calibration I am supposed to set the volume knob to the 12o'clock position and the receiver adjusts it's LFE level accordingly. Should I expect an accurate adjustment with two subs hooked up or would I need to use another method to set up my speaker levels, distances, etc...Thanks Much

I run two subs that are amplified 500watts piece on my home theater system due to the fact that it is spaced so far apart and want deep bass on all areas of the sitting area, and it works quite well the only down side is that I have to fool around with the gains, due to it being overbearing during different movies, but the same could be said about a single one, placement in my opinion is a big key, and due to your situation you have to ask yourself if splitting the power and frequency is worth cutting some of your power unless that is each sub is amplified off it's own power
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post #4 of 14
10/21/08 at 7:33pm

Re: Considering dual subs

After you ran Audessey, did you go into the menu and change the crossovers? If not, try setting all your speakers to small. Turn off double bass and see if this helps. Also, have you tried moving your sub?

You will probably get more bang for your buck with a better sub rather than add a second. Audessey may have problems unless they are equidistant from your first mic position.
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post #5 of 14
10/21/08 at 7:35pm

Re: Considering dual subs

Quote:
Originally Posted by xquizit
I run two subs that are amplified 500watts piece on my home theater system due to the fact that it is spaced so far apart and want deep bass on all areas of the sitting area, and it works quite well the only down side is that I have to fool around with the gains, due to it being overbearing during different movies, but the same could be said about a single one, placement in my opinion is a big key, and due to your situation you have to ask yourself if splitting the power and frequency is worth cutting some of your power unless that is each sub is amplified off it's own power

If the sub is properly calibrated (and located) you should not have to change anything for different movies. Music, that's a different animal. But movies should be 'set it once and forget it'.
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post #6 of 14
10/21/08 at 7:40pm

Re: Considering dual subs

Quote:
Originally Posted by David Willow
If the sub is properly calibrated (and located) you should not have to change anything for different movies. Music, that's a different animal. But movies should be 'set it once and forget it'.

very true david, I wasn't so clear on that, I use the same system for all my music and do find myself adjusting it according to the type and styles of music, good point
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post #7 of 14
10/21/08 at 8:37pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Considering dual subs

Audyssey set my crossover to 60hz and my front mains (Paridigm Studio 60) to large, which I am kind of questioning, although the Studio 60's supposedly extend down to 30hz. I suppose I could set them as small and see what happens but I don't see how that would improve things as long as the front mains are handling some of the low bass. Could be wrong, though.
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post #8 of 14
10/22/08 at 4:31am

Re: Considering dual subs

The majority of us change our speakers to 'small' after the auto calibration routine sets the levels and crossover. It will help with phasing. If you do decide to go with dual subs, get the same model that you already have.

If you decide to get 1 larger, more capable sub then we need more info. How large can you go? What is your budget?

-Robert
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post #9 of 14
10/22/08 at 6:15am

Re: Considering dual subs

Sorry if this is blatantly obvious and you've already done it...... but...

Have you tried experimenting with placement of the very capable sub you already have? That would be the first step.
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post #10 of 14
10/22/08 at 9:24am

Re: Considering dual subs

Echoing what Phil said...it may not be the sub! If your front row is near the center of th room, there is likely a huge null there, and a second sub might not fix that.

Try moving the sub you've got to different places, and see if you can kill the null.

If you fix the front row, chances are the the back row (assumed near a wall) will be just as good as before.
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post #11 of 14
10/22/08 at 1:30pm

Re: Considering dual subs

It is usually recommended to use two subs of the same type, much easier to set them up "cooperatively". Also, the preferred locations for two subs would make them equidistant from the Audyssey mike as long as the mike is on the room centerline.

This is the theory LOL, with no regard to the reality of your room layout.

Your room is almost exactly the same size as mine. One sub is great *if you're sitting in the right place* (my seat, LOL). You might try adjusting the position of your Audyssey mike to better accomodate the poorer sitting positions for bass, just to see if you can get a better "average". Unless $$ is no object. Two subs is probably the best setup for good room coverage without creating new problems.
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post #12 of 14
10/22/08 at 2:29pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Considering dual subs

I haven't done too much experimentation with placement yet. It's a pretty big cabinet so my options are limited but I think I will try it in the front of the room and also set the mains to "small". I also have the phase set to about the halfway point on the dial, for what that is worth. It seems to me that my PB10 sub should have the horsepower I need for that size of room, but I could see going to a PB12-Plus or something comparable around the $800-$1000 range.
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post #13 of 14
10/22/08 at 2:52pm

Re: Considering dual subs

Set the phase on the sub to 0.

What did Audessey set your trims to?
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post #14 of 14
10/22/08 at 3:32pm

Re: Considering dual subs

If your lack of bass truely is a null, then no upgrade will fix it. Only placement and room treatments can solve nulls. Placement is free to try.

Enclosure size is relative. I was thinking how tiny and cute the smallest SVS sub is. If you can't move it around, I'm sure you have friends that will help.

-Robert
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