Seeking articulate subwoofer advice
- Thread starter KPC
- Start date
Bruce B
WBF Founding Member, Pro Audio Production Member
I'm a hack. This is what I've learned.
You don't get to hear what the instrument actually sounds like from a post produced recording unless you played on the recording. Even then, you take the money and shut up.
Those who trial and error sub positioning and using DSP as a means to ameliorate standing wave nulls need help.
-6dB sub-bass speakers with low frequency roll off and subsonic output so dramatically lacking that room positioning is simply not critical. Confusing the market by referring to them as subwoofers. Enough...
If this is your first -3dB subwoofer proper room location is key to its best performance potential at the listening position. Since every room has its own signature standing wave bass modes locations I've found manufactures positioning diagrams to be coincidental at best.
Using low frequency sweep or test tones of your choosing to be played through a sub temporarily positioned at the listening position with a long inexpensive interconnect are the first steps for using the "subwoofer Crawl" or stroll. During the low frequency playback one strolls or crawls the room audibly confirming and mapping the louder bass mode locations within YOUR room. It takes less than an hour, no trial and error involved and it need only be done once.
Bass modes are usually near room boundaries. When positioned within or very near a bass mode the subwoofer now has an advantage of using less volume, equalization and optimization processing which can allow for greater articulation and processing flexibility in the setup process that follows. That's it.
In 2011 I knew of only one subwoofer with remote control onboard Room Optimization that uses the audio system to play its Sweep Tones CD through the speakers in the room and the sub at the same time. After its Crawl positioning this subs 20 minute Auto EQ adjusts twelve subwoofer specific parameters within its eight discrete frequency bands complimenting the speakers low frequency presentation from 200Hz within the room. Allowing the user manual adjustment of the same parameters as well as six customizable EQ presets to taste, all saved to memory. Maintaining an average THD of .5db. 'PLUS', the main speakers remain in analog. I still have two.
Unfortunately the California company was sold in 2019 to pursue another technology.
Thomastik Weich, 9'8" Bing Continental, Calfee Tetra Campy, Kneekon Z9.
You don't get to hear what the instrument actually sounds like from a post produced recording unless you played on the recording. Even then, you take the money and shut up.
Those who trial and error sub positioning and using DSP as a means to ameliorate standing wave nulls need help.
-6dB sub-bass speakers with low frequency roll off and subsonic output so dramatically lacking that room positioning is simply not critical. Confusing the market by referring to them as subwoofers. Enough...
If this is your first -3dB subwoofer proper room location is key to its best performance potential at the listening position. Since every room has its own signature standing wave bass modes locations I've found manufactures positioning diagrams to be coincidental at best.
Using low frequency sweep or test tones of your choosing to be played through a sub temporarily positioned at the listening position with a long inexpensive interconnect are the first steps for using the "subwoofer Crawl" or stroll. During the low frequency playback one strolls or crawls the room audibly confirming and mapping the louder bass mode locations within YOUR room. It takes less than an hour, no trial and error involved and it need only be done once.
Bass modes are usually near room boundaries. When positioned within or very near a bass mode the subwoofer now has an advantage of using less volume, equalization and optimization processing which can allow for greater articulation and processing flexibility in the setup process that follows. That's it.
In 2011 I knew of only one subwoofer with remote control onboard Room Optimization that uses the audio system to play its Sweep Tones CD through the speakers in the room and the sub at the same time. After its Crawl positioning this subs 20 minute Auto EQ adjusts twelve subwoofer specific parameters within its eight discrete frequency bands complimenting the speakers low frequency presentation from 200Hz within the room. Allowing the user manual adjustment of the same parameters as well as six customizable EQ presets to taste, all saved to memory. Maintaining an average THD of .5db. 'PLUS', the main speakers remain in analog. I still have two.
Unfortunately the California company was sold in 2019 to pursue another technology.
Thomastik Weich, 9'8" Bing Continental, Calfee Tetra Campy, Kneekon Z9.
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