Subwoofer gain and bass control on amp

willhub

willhub

willhub

Caporegime
Joined
3 Jan 2006
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25,166
Location
Chadderton, Oldham
So I've done a shuffle around in my room and the position I could have sworn my subwoofer was weak in is now optimal for where I can position it resulting in reducing bass by -2 to -4db on the amp.

However, depending on the source, sometimes leaving it on default 0db is best whilst some sources need at least -10db to avoid shaking the room down.

What i want to know is that by leaving the subwoofer gain as is and changing the bass volume on the amp, will I be losing out on quality or certain frequencies?

Thanks
 
hornetstinger said:
But I'm talking about your sub level out being too high possiy clipping the amp signal
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Are you referring to the level on the amp?

There is only 2 levels no? Subwoofer gain (On the sub) and bass level on the amp. I usually have the bass level -4, evidently I could lower the gain so I can put the bass back to 0 but some tracks would then require me to raise the bass level on the amp.
 
It doesn't matter if you change the level on the sub or via the amp, you've still got an awfully large amount that you're changing the whole system by when there's a 10dB difference between sources.

Did you mean sources?

DTS routinely recorded the LFE track 10dB, but that's an audio signal difference rather than a source equipment difference.

There can be a difference in the overall signal level between sources. A lot of AV amps have a source level trim feature to help even things out. Unless it's very obviously louder or quieter, it can be tricky to assess the level based on what's happening with all the channels combined when playing normal program material. A lot rides on the sound mix of the program content. For example, movies will generally have a more active LFE channel than say a TV news- or quiz- program, but you'll get two distinctly different impressions of the LFE playing the movie Saving Private Ryan compared to the the movie Sense and Sensibility despite both being played from the same source device. There are sound meter apps for smart phones that use an averaging reading over several minutes that can help.

I think the problem could be related to the volume level which is exciting some room modes once the volume gets above a certain level. Equalising the volume levels between the source devices will probably help.
 
I was thinking you have an AV receiver, but your system is 2 channel music. Forget what I said about LFE and source-matching.

How are you making the assessment that the sub position is now optimal? What has changed in the room to make it that the same position previously was a bad choice, but now it is good?
 
lucid said:
I was thinking you have an AV receiver, but your system is 2 channel music. Forget what I said about LFE and source-matching.

How are you making the assessment that the sub position is now optimal? What has changed in the room to make it that the same position previously was a bad choice, but now it is good?
Click to expand...

Well it's probably not optimal for that room but as far as where I can position it it's optimal. I slapped the sub on the chair where I sit when watching tv and walked around the room, I find the level is much better when I stood to the left of the TV and when I moved the sub there it indeed was. You don't want to turn it up as loud to hear bass.

Before where it was you'd turn the bass up so you could hear it properly then go to the kitchen and it was thunderous, that's gone now.
 
willhub said:
Well it's probably not optimal for that room but as far as where I can position it it's optimal. I slapped the sub on the chair where I sit when watching tv and walked around the room, I find the level is much better when I stood to the left of the TV and when I moved the sub there it indeed was. You don't want to turn it up as loud to hear bass.

Before where it was you'd turn the bass up so you could hear it properly then go to the kitchen and it was thunderous, that's gone now.
Click to expand...

The loudness in the kitchen; that's a good demonstration of room modes in action. The dimensions of any domestic-sized enclosed space will produce places where bass frequencies peak and other places where some frequencies seem to disappear.

When doing the walk-around-the-room thing were you always standing, or did you have a listen when crouched down too? I mention it because room height creates its own set of peaks and troughs too. There can be a difference in sound when standing compared to sitting.
 
lucid said:
The loudness in the kitchen; that's a good demonstration of room modes in action. The dimensions of any domestic-sized enclosed space will produce places where bass frequencies peak and other places where some frequencies seem to disappear.

When doing the walk-around-the-room thing were you always standing, or did you have a listen when crouched down too? I mention it because room height creates its own set of peaks and troughs too. There can be a difference in sound when standing compared to sitting.
Click to expand...

I didn't sit down admittedly. The current position most certainly isn't optimal for the room, the most optimal place would likely be on the wall that is neighbour facing so no go.

The current location produces the most bass out of any location I can put it. Just the getting all sound sources equal with bass is a nightmare.

I also have the sub on sorbothane hemispheres which did make bass a bit more punchy.

In current location the best bass is where seated for tv, at computer desk and outside on the balcony, the prime spots of the flat.

Definitely need a house rather than a crummy flat here in media city with creaky floorboards.
 
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