Flat FR or boost for HT? (1 Viewer)

[Jeff_Wi]

Hey, was wondering what seetings all of you use regarding your sub/mains levels while wathcing movies? Do you listen with flat frequency response or do you add a little gain to the sub? I personally like to add a little,but it depends on the movie.

 

[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

Most people feel that flat response sounds well, flat: Thin-sounding, with no warmth. Things sound much more natural when there is a gradual rise in the low frequencies. So yes, most people like some degree of boost on their subs.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[Mark Seaton]

I agree with Wayne's points, but would also add that room size and the level at which you listen have significant impact on how much lift to the low end sounds appropriate. Also note that when many people first get a big, powerful subwoofer they want to hear it working hard. As time goes on, most find that a balance closer to flat is more enjoyable long-term and for a wider selection of playback material.

In short, smaller, more reverberant rooms will require less elevation of the low end, where open or large rooms will require more lift to the low end. Likewise, the more capable your main speakers are with respect to delivering clean reference level peaks at the listening position, the less elevation of the subwoofer you will need, as you can get the same low frequency effect by listening at -3dB with less elevation than listening at -10dB with a 6dB more boost to the low end.