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Technically Correct Subwoofer Settings.....

Here's a huge debate that's been lingering around that frankly I'm determined to get to the bottom of...

What is the correct method of setting a Subwoofer's output to blend with a home theater AND music system....?????

Here's the issue: I use a sound level meter w/ the Avia disk for audio calibration of my home theater. IF one uses the standard pink noice from the disk or a preamp, we can get one sub setting. If one uses the "Subwoofer" setup section, it makes the person setting up the system ADD about 10 dB to the sub output.

Here's my understanding, it is technically correct to use the standara pink noise to set ALL speakers to the same level, including the sub. When one uses the Avia subwoofer setup section to calibrate the sub for home theater, one adds about +10dB to achieve the same decibel output. Now music sounds too boomy.

I spoke w/ those tech gurus from the "Ranch" and they agreed that one should technically use the pink noise from the processor to calibrate and NOT the Sub pink noise to calibrate your system, from a demo disk such as Avia. Has anyone else run across this Sub for music vs. Home theater calibration issue???

Cheers...
hager_charles

Showing 1 response by sdcampbell

sdcampbell
2,136 posts
 
Psychic, Danner, and Sean all make excellent points, and I'll add only a few minor comments. First, however, I'll second the "do it by ear" method of adjusting the subwoofer output. I have two Vandy 2WQ subs that I use in conjunction with Vandy 3A Sig main speakers.

In the 2WQ sub's manual, Vandersteen says to integrate the sub(s) with the main speakers by playing a good recording of the acoustic bass that features a "walking" bass solo going up and down the frequency scale. As the frequency of the bass notes pass through the crossover point (typically around 80 Hz), there should be no discernable change in the volume of the bass. I have used both walking bass solos and organ recordings (such as Wilson Audio's recording of the organ at St. Mark's Cathedral in Seattle) to tune the deep bass response.

With regard to subwoofer response in HT applications: there IS a significant bass boost in the THX standard, so if you want MUSICALLY accurate bass, don't use the "Avia Guide" or "Video Essentials" DVD to adjust your subwoofer.

If you have a sub that has an adjustable "Q", such as the Vandy 2WQ's, you can turn the "Q" up for home theater, and down for audio.
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