calibrating 2 different subs

johnny42

I tried to calibrate my subs using the receivers recommendations ok. turn volume to half way ok. turn sub xover up all the way? I have two different subs. 1 knob goes from left 40 hz to right 120 hz. the other knob from left 120 hz to right 40 hz. I'm moving both subs to the front and have to recalibrate them. any suggestions. thanx

deronb1

johnny42 wrote: »

I tried to calibrate my subs using the receivers recommendations ok. turn volume to half way ok. turn sub xover up all the way? I have two different subs. 1 knob goes from left 40 hz to right 120 hz. the other knob from left 120 hz to right 40 hz. I'm moving both subs to the front and have to recalibrate them. any suggestions. thanx

Are they both the same size and power rating? Sounds like trial and error for a while and what sounds best to you.

johnny42

at this point I'm confused. is more bass 40 hz or 120 hz

nwohlford

What receiver are you using?

If you have Audyssey Sub HT EQ, then position the subs and run the auto calibration.

Otherwise, after positioning the subs and setting the crossover, you need to set the phase of each sub (usually play a test tone near the crossover frequency and chose the phase with the highest volume). You can volume match and eq each sub separately but it is not always necessary (and you may not have the equipment to do it). Without EQing first, volume matching is imperfect, so doing a quick volume matching by ear can be fine if you don't have equipment to do more.
Then you can have the receiver eq the two subs together as one.

I am assuming that you can set your crossover in the receiver. If so, you can bypass the crossover in the subs. Usually the Lfe in will bypass the crossover (if not, you can set the crossover to the max.)

Trial and error without good measurement equipment and a lot of time will usually lead to poor results. This likely why a lot of people don't like subs for music listening.

johnny42

thanx for your input. I'm using YPAO, the Yamaha auto calibration. but it could be audyssey or audyssey xt32. the point is trying to get the subs setting right before doing the calibrating.

nwohlford

The crossover on the sub is the low pass for the sub, so the sub will play the frequencies below the crossover setting. (In reality it is a gradual cut point where what the sub plays is 3 dB down at the crossover and the out decreases rapidly above the crossover). Since you are using the crossover in your AVR, you want to bypass on the crossover on your subs. What subs are you using?

The main idea is that you need to calibrate each sub separately and then calibrate them together as one sub. Most auto-EQ solutions only do the calibrate them together as one sub step. The reason I specifically mentioned Audyssey SUB HT EQ (available on almost all Audyssey XT32 AVRs) is that it is the one EQ solution that does both step (calibrates the subs separataly and the together as one).

If you are going to use, YPAO or another such EQ solution, the most important part of calibrating the subs individually is to get the phasing right. After you get the phase set for each subwoofer, the you can run YPAO. Also, phase is a function of position relative to the other speakers, so you must finalize your position first.

I use double subwoofers and have played around with doing some of the calibration of the separate subs. I, though, have been very happy with the Audyssey solution.

Face

You need to pick up a SPL meter and check out Room EQ Wizard: http://www.hometheatershack.com/forums/rew-forum/

johnny42

I ran the auto set up again with two front subs. not really happy with the outcome. the results are showing the pre lowering the volume. I manually set it higher a bit and the rooloff was better. GREAT POINT = calibrate 1 sub at a time. that's my next move. little by little I'm getting better at adjusting the volume and hz. Happy New Year.....................................