Sub Calibration...Quick Question (1 Viewer)

[Mark Danner]

I tried searching but didnt see anything that specifically answered my question.

I have calibrated with the rat shack meter and DVE. Now I want to plot my subs response on a chart. Do I play the test tones at ref (0) or do I play them at the normal level that I would listen to a movie (-15). I started at ref level and man it feels like I am in the ring with Tyson. The sub is a PB12-isd/2. So I am guessing that I need to turn it down a tad bit. No bad noises were heard like bottoming out so the sub handled it okay. Granted the test tones that I played I paused after about 4 seconds because it was shaking the whole neighborhood. Dogs started barking like 4 doors down from me. hehe

Oh the sub is factory tuned so I have not changed that and here are the results of what I tested. I didnt go too far because it was soooo loud. Below are the corrected values from my SPL meter.
89.0 - 16 hz
92.5 - 18
98.5 - 20
101.5 - 22
100.0 - 25
104.0 - 28
106.0 - 31.5
107.5 - 36

 

[Greg Bright]

Normally calibration is done at 70-80dB. Playing test tones at high volumes can cause permanent damage to: ears, fine china, house foundations, subwoofers.

 

[Brian Fellmeth]

Don't be surprized if the curve comes out very uneven. Thats not your sub, thats your room. If you want to fix it, enter the wonderful world of the BFD.








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[WayneO]

You've got that entirely too loud to be testing with sine waves. Usually most will start at 80hz-100hz with the 1/12th octave tones and go downwards. I start at 80hz, adjust volume to 80dB and then go from there, you should get much higher than 85dB unless you have a real nasty peak.

 

[ChrisWiggles]

Enter the even more wonderful world of room acoustics. Bass treatment is always helpful, and is a more thorough solution when used in conjunction with EQ like a BFD, because EQ alone cannot fix certain frequency response problems, nor time domeain problems.

 

[David Bikeman]

"Enter the even more wonderful world of room acoustics. Bass treatment is always helpful, and is a more thorough solution when used in conjunction with EQ like a BFD, because EQ alone cannot fix certain frequency response problems, nor time domeain problems."

Chris, you married?
My HT is in my livingroom and SWMBO says I can have the bass treatments after the divorce. Of course, after the divorce I won't be able to afford bass treatments so I guess it ain't gonna happen. But that's great advice for the "lucky" ones.

David