Sub
- Thread starter Hyb
- Start date
Subs are usually best placed in a corner
Which is usually the wrong place
Good for massive boom but probably not much else 
How far do you want to take it, you could get some software for your laptop/pc, an SPL meter and take measurments, plot graphs, and configure your sub...... Or just stick it in a corner and let it boom away.
Try this if you want :
http://www.thx.com/home/setup/speakers/sub.html
But as Ad above mentioned depends how in depth you want to go
http://www.thx.com/home/setup/speakers/sub.html
But as Ad above mentioned depends how in depth you want to go
Caporegime
- Joined
- 13 May 2003
- Posts
- 34,564
- Location
- Warwickshire
Just stick it in the most convenient place that sounds good to your ears. I wouldn't bother with being too scientific over the placement of a subwoofer, which obviously has far less directional sound that the satellites.
Or just see what sounds best to you. Analysis tools might lead you to a theoretically perfect sound, but listening is subjective and conducted with your ears, not an analysis program
And another example I could use is, many people buy an LCD tv going from an instore demo containing radioactive colours, stupid sharpness levels, and the frankly dire dynamic picture settings. It is all about what people enjoy, but the nature of a forum like this or avforums is that we are trying to help people to get the best out of their equipment. How come people in the hardware sections don't just say 'Get that processor and leave it alone', we overclock, tweak, add extra cooling, and most people on here want sound advice and to get as much from their purchases as possible. That's where more knowledgable people step in
Booming away is all well and good, but when spending money on a decent sub, why just treat it like a cheapy logitech Z5500.
You need to consider the integration with the satellites, crossover frequency vs satellites, and measurments are the only way to do this. Software like REW integrated with a £25 radio shack SPL meter will allow you to configure this, plus setup your whole surround sound system. The ear isn't scientific or accurate, if you hear big boom boom bass then you will naturally like it 'ZOMG ELEVNTY BASS !!!!!!' but it won;t offer you that much over something like a boomy logitech z5500 sub as mentioned before.
You wouldn't buy a nice car, ignore running in advice, put ditchfinder tyres on it, and totally neglect the thing, why do that to a good quality sub
The ear isn't scientific or accurate, if you hear big boom boom bass then you will naturally like it 'ZOMG ELEVNTY BASS !!!!!!' but it won;t offer you that much over something like a boomy logitech z5500 sub as mentioned before.
You wouldn't buy a nice car, ignore running in advice, put ditchfinder tyres on it, and totally neglect the thing, why do that to a good quality sub
No the ear isn't scientific. But it's what you're listening with.
And no, it's not like buying a nice car and putting bad tyres on it, because you'd insantly notice the difference when you face planted into the ditch. It's like buying a car with softer suspension even though the 'sport' would give you less understeer, because you prefer the drive. And if you prefer the drive, it doesn't matter if the suspension isn't as good.
Ant
Caporegime
- Joined
- 13 May 2003
- Posts
- 34,564
- Location
- Warwickshire
You need to consider the integration with the satellites, crossover frequency vs satellites, and measurments are the only way to do this. Software like REW integrated with a £25 radio shack SPL meter will allow you to configure this, plus setup your whole surround sound system. The ear isn't scientific or accurate, if you hear big boom boom bass then you will naturally like it 'ZOMG ELEVNTY BASS !!!!!!' but it won;t offer you that much over something like a boomy logitech z5500 sub as mentioned before.
You wouldn't buy a nice car, ignore running in advice, put ditchfinder tyres on it, and totally neglect the thing, why do that to a good quality sub
I thought we were talking about positioning, not crossover frequencies? You quoted my reference to positioning of a sub not being hugely crucial and then talked about crossovers. Or do you mean that the sub positioning can affect the integration with the satellites as well as the sub frequency?
If so then I partially agree but if you start measuring the distances so that the sub pressure wave meets your head at the same time as that of the satellites, you can say that the rear satellites are potentially far nearer your head than the fronts. You can partially counter this with volume but not signal delay, as how likely is it that all listeners are equidistant from all satellites as well as the sub?
I thought we were talking about positioning, not crossover frequencies? You quoted my reference to positioning of a sub not being hugely crucial and then talked about crossovers. Or do you mean that the sub positioning can affect the integration with the satellites as well as the sub frequency?
If so then I partially agree but if you start measuring the distances so that the sub pressure wave meets your head at the same time as that of the satellites, you can say that the rear satellites are potentially far nearer your head than the fronts. You can partially counter this with volume but not signal delay, as how likely is it that all listeners are equidistant from all satellites as well as the sub?
What I was saying is that you can't tell much unless you configure it with an SPL meter. You need to select a crossover frequency, say 80hz as standard, but then you satellites might only go down to 100-120hz.
Also the sub positioning will change the sound drastically, giving you humps in the curve, or dips at certain points. Just because it sounds more bassy to your ears doesn't mean it's good or supposed to sound like that. No need to talk about sound waves, just getting it setup using some time and simple measuring equipment will give you that flat response (well room dependent).
The car example wasn't that great, the better one is someone buying a nice plasma tv, and just leaving it in the out of box settings because it is less effort, like sticking the sub in the corner for the hell of it.
Soldato
- Joined
- 17 Aug 2003
- Posts
- 20,160
- Location
- Woburn Sand Dunes
i dont understand why people are saying a corner is the worst place for a sub. it can be VERY beneficial, although i havent ever personnally put a sub in the corner. When doing so the dimentions of the room itself play a much greater roll in what you'll hear but by no means is it the worst place for a subwoofer.
have a read through this :
I myself have my subwoofer placed smack bang between my front speakers, as the result is a huge increase at the bottom end (im talking 10-20hz). even with a 15" sealed subwoofer the responce is still flat from 40hz to 10hz, and it integrates much better when playing music than anythign i could manage with a corner loaded subwoofer.
have a read through this :
I myself have my subwoofer placed smack bang between my front speakers, as the result is a huge increase at the bottom end (im talking 10-20hz). even with a 15" sealed subwoofer the responce is still flat from 40hz to 10hz, and it integrates much better when playing music than anythign i could manage with a corner loaded subwoofer.
Or just see what sounds best to you. Analysis tools might lead you to a theoretically perfect sound, but listening is subjective and conducted with your ears, not an analysis program
I know exactly what you mean. That's how I went about it at first and was happy with the sound.
Then I decided to check the response out of curiosity, only to find I was miles out and missing out on some lovely low frequencies. Now it's like having been out and bought a new sub!
Like James, I too found the best position for my sub was in between the fronts. There's no right or wrong position for a sub, it totally depends on the room and sub in question. The only way to know for sure is to get that SPL meter out!
Personally I have a pretty good setup which I started off with the audessey auto setup on the amp (Onkyo 805) and then tweaked from there
I totally respect those who want to analyse with a sound/pressure meter - personally think thats only of real benefit to really hi end kit with a pro install
I used to really be into getting the last % possible out of all my "toys" - but now I just prefer to actually enjoy them even if it means missing out on a theoretical 5% or so
I totally respect those who want to analyse with a sound/pressure meter - personally think thats only of real benefit to really hi end kit with a pro install
I used to really be into getting the last % possible out of all my "toys" - but now I just prefer to actually enjoy them even if it means missing out on a theoretical 5% or so
