Subwoofer confusion.

northernwind

I currently own a seaton subwoofer and there is few thing that is strangely bothering me.For one I believe that I'm actually losing hearing in lower freq because when I was calibrating my subwoofer with aud,it was over 75 by 15 db to 90 and I didn't find that loud at all.Another very strange thing is that I notice the subwoofer has more impact upstairs then down in my basement where the equipment is,thus I'm wondering is it my placement or is it my hearing?

I'm posting this hoping that someone with more experience with subs can maybe shine a bit of light into what is going on.Oh lastly I currently have the sub in the corner if that makes any difference.

codyc1ark

Have you done a sub crawl? What model is it? You are always going to have other places between rooms, or in your case in another room where you hear certain frequencies better. Does your basement have a door and are you closing it? Also, make sure you are checking your avr's work with a SPL meter, never hurts.

Lol, totally random answer but get back to us.

Another thought, what type of flooring is in the basement and are you using any kind of riser for the sub?

northernwind

codyc1ark wrote: »

Have you done a sub crawl? What model is it? You are always going to have other places between rooms, or in your case in another room where you hear certain frequencies better. Does your basement have a door and are you closing it? Also, make sure you are checking your avr's work with a SPL meter, never hurts.

Lol, totally random answer but get back to us.

Another thought, what type of flooring is in the basement and are you using any kind of riser for the sub?

Hi I would love to do a sub crawl but the thing is 135 pounds and is massive,it is the seaton submersive.My basement has 1 hallway leading upstairs and 1 door to another room which I keep close at all time.My flooring is concrete and I use a ipod as a spl meter.Lastly I do not use any riser.

tonyb

Calibrating with Aud. is just a guideline, nothing is written in stone. Adjust the sub manually to where you like the sound.

EndersShadow

Some pictures of your setup would be helpful. Have you tried moving your seating forward or backward?

Also try this, play a movie or song with LOTS of bass. Turn off or disconnect your speakers. Then your hearing JUST your sub. Walk around your area and see if it sounds louder/better in front or behind where you are sitting right now.

Lastly as Tony says the calibration is a "guideline". I find I turn my center channel up a couple db's and run it hotter than Audyssey suggests, simply because to me it sounds better.

WLDock

northernwind wrote: »

Hi I would love to do a sub crawl but the thing is 135 pounds and is massive,it is the seaton submersive.My basement has 1 hallway leading upstairs and 1 door to another room which I keep close at all time.My flooring is concrete and I use a ipod as a spl meter.Lastly I do not use any riser.

Man UP! Big Boy toys deserve Big Boy setup and tuning. If not, then whats the point?

Stoop down and get to crawling. If the sub needs to be moved, get some heavy duty furniture sliders , they work on finished concrete: http://www.lowes.com/pd_257954-46422-4704095L_4294713224__?productId=4086784&Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNs%3Dp_product_qty_sales_dollar%7C1&facetInfo= and put the sub were it sounds best in the room.

In my home subbass kicks major butt in the room next to the family room. No way around that as the family room opens to the front doorway, kitchen, and hallway to the bedrooms. Anyway, I already know what side the sub needs to go on by listening around the room. So, when I get the true sub done, that is where it will go and will be as good as I can get with a single LFE sub placement.

I have to say that I love the Espresso finished Submersive...that is the direction I hope to go with my project. Heck, the wife would even like it. http://www.seaton-sound-forum.com/post/finish-options-a-collection-of-photos-4292198

northernwind

thanks guys for some good answers.I guess I will have to do a sub crawl but I'm very limited base on the decor.Furthermore I find that after the aud adjustment I have to turn my sub +6 in the avr and turn the dial up from 16 to 8 with zero being the loudest.

Edit-What do people mean when they say turn it up hotter?Does that mean after calibration or during calibration?

Face

You're sitting in a null.

Is there any other place you can place the sub in your listening area?

As for risers, don't bother, the difference is minimal.

Polkie2009

Face wrote: »

You're sitting in a null.

Is there any other place you can place the sub in your listening area?

As for risers, don't bother, the difference is minimal.

This sounds spot on Face. Try the crawl test to find a better placement for the sub. Usually having two subs will do wonders to even things out,but having two submersives could be way too much if the size of your room isn't very big. Let me tell you, that submersive is one hell___ of a sub you got there Northernwind. I kinda thought about doing the risers for my subs after reading more about folks here doing that within the past year or so, but if it isn't really going to make a big difference, I'll pass on it.

Face

Two Submersives wouldn't be too much if the gain is turned down. Just the whole cost/space thing could be an issue.

Polkie2009

Face wrote: »

Two Submersives wouldn't be too much if the gain is turned down. Just the whole cost/space thing could be an issue.

Lol, you got that right Face. Those submersives are true BEASTS, you get what you pay for:).

northernwind

Beast indeed,I tried cranking it up the for the first time yesterday and It was crazy.My freaking concrete room didn't shake so I did not get that tactile feel,but upstairs shook like crazy same with my projector screen.At one point my AMP sitting next to the freaking thing started shaking side ways,can you guys believe that?

I came to realize that my problem isn't the bass but probably more of the floor type.Being concrete,I get good clean bass but no floor shaking feel that comes with suspended wood flooring.

Lastly a advice for someone planing to get the submersive,DON'T CHEAP OUT.I went with the special on sale black color and regreted it ever snice.Although I ended up saving 400 dollars,I feel this beast deserves the beauti treatment because it is mostly likely going to be your last sub you would ever want/need.

Edit-Cost isn't that bad for two,there is a slave/master option available where one can purchase a empty cabinet to act as a slave sub.Total would be around 3.5 k or so and for a sub like this,I think it's totally worth it.

Face

It's not the floor type, I have no issues with tactile sensation from 2 ported subs on a concrete slab.

Polkie2009

I'm running 2 Epik Empires on a carpeting concrete floor in a room of about 4000 cu. ft. Wouldn't mind the possibility of getting a Submersive added to the mix. Can't imagine ever needing more bass than that, but you never know,lol. I think one of our fellow CP members is running 4 Submersives in his HT.

northernwind

Face wrote: »

It's not the floor type, I have no issues with tactile sensation from 2 ported subs on a concrete slab.

My floor and walls are concrete,that is the problem.Also I have no problem getting chest moving bass,but the feeling of floors shaking adds alot more feel to it then simple bass air.I just need to crank it up that much more than what I would otherwise have to if I were on a wood floor.I found that out while really cranking it up yesterday,thus I have adjusted the sub accordingly.

WLDock

northernwind wrote: »

Lastly a advice for someone planing to get the submersive,DON'T CHEAP OUT.I went with the special on sale black color and regreted it ever snice.Although I ended up saving 400 dollars,I feel this beast deserves the beauti treatment because it is mostly likely going to be your last sub you would ever want/need.

Well, there's nothing wrong with black. But I have to tell you...after looking at the construction pictures of those beast and the beautiful finishes, they really are appealing. Dreamy! I love just the craftsmanship, I'll say it again....I REALLY LOVE THE ESPRESSO FINISHED CHERRY WOOD (maybe the Sub Gods are listening and will bless me with one?)



Ok, back to reality...$2500 subbass is just not in the cards. My DIY project should top out at $500!

EndersShadow

If you want the feeling of floor vibration look into bass shakers. You install them in your furniture and they provide all the shaking you need. They are also pretty cheap to buy as well, much cheaper than another seaton if the vibrations are all you are looking for..

Face

northernwind wrote: »

My floor and walls are concrete,that is the problem.Also I have no problem getting chest moving bass,but the feeling of floors shaking adds alot more feel to it then simple bass air.I just need to crank it up that much more than what I would otherwise have to if I were on a wood floor.I found that out while really cranking it up yesterday,thus I have adjusted the sub accordingly.

Place the sub beside your couch and/or pick up a pair or two of bass shakers.

jersmith

I do wish there would have been some sort of objective testing for the submersives. It was one of the main reasons that I decided to go a different direction.