What is a safe LFE level?

hamzahsh

I'm running all my speakers at small setting crossed them at 80hz and bass out to SUB only. I set my Velodyne CHT-15 at 12'o clock position and LFE level in my Yamaha 1400 is set to 0 db.

Now when I watch ROTK the bass is too loud even at 0db LFE level, specially when I crank up to -15db RL. What is the safest LFE level for my sub? I set the level at -5db and seems like it is perfect but am I missing some bass or not. How about -3db would that be safe enough or too loud.

What level setting do you recommend?

kuntasensei

No one can really tell you what level is correct, because of the differences in equipment, room acoustics, etc. You need to get a SPL meter and calibrate your subwoofer so that it matches the level of your other speakers.

HBombToo

I run my h/k at 25% of the max. The h/k is the weak link in my system as far as lfe is concerned.

1/2Twin

hamzahsh

I know lot of people keep the level at -3db or -5db. So far I've tried at -5db, I'll try at -3db at -15db RL. The whole reason for asking a safe LFE level is not to bottom out or damage my sub in a long run. Personally I love 0db LFE level but little worried at louder levels sometimes.

Since I purchased Monter THX Ultra SUB cable. The bass in my Velodyne CHT-15 got louder and tigher and more powerful than ever. The cable did make the difference. Highly recommended!

HBombToo

Originally posted by hamzahsh
I know lot of people keep the level at -3db or -5db. So far I've tried at -5db, I'll try at -3db at -15db RL. The whole reason for asking a safe LFE level is not to bottom out or damage my sub in a long run. Personally I love 0db LFE level but little worried at louder levels sometimes.

Since I purchased Monter THX Ultra SUB cable. The bass in my Velodyne CHT-15 got louder and tigher and more powerful than ever. The cable did make the difference. Highly recommended!

Cool!

By keeping the gain in the lfe modest you can push the amp in the 15 with less fear. When the amp starts stressing it will probably be distortion rather than clipping and you'll have a safety cushion to turn it down a bit. When clipping begins its near the end of the game!

Twin

PolkThug

Originally posted by hamzahsh
Since I purchased Monter THX Ultra SUB cable. The bass in my Velodyne CHT-15 got louder and tigher and more powerful than ever. The cable did make the difference. Highly recommended!

Or, did the sub just break-in?

LFE+2 Me like bass.

Calibration with a dvd is key.

Regards,
PolkThug:D

Dr. Spec

Don't confuse the subwoofer level control with the LFE channel trim control.

The LFE channel trim should always be set at its maximum (i.e., unattenuated) level. This control usually goes from 0 to -10.

The subwoofer level should be set somewhere in the 25% region (i.e., -5 on a scale of -10 to +10) to keep the signal clean.

The loudness of the subwoofer with respect to the other channels can only be set with a calibration disc (or by more advanced means like analyzing the atual FR of the system).

The only "safe" level is one that doesn't wreck the subwoofer; other than that, it's personal preference if you want to run the sub hotter or cooler than the other channels.

hamzahsh

Thanks for the help guys.

kberg

Originally posted by Dr. Spec
Don't confuse the subwoofer level control with the LFE channel trim control.

The LFE channel trim should always be set at its maximum (i.e., unattenuated) level. This control usually goes from 0 to -10.

Doc, had a long day, it's getting late, and I'm tired, so forgive the probably stupid question of....what do you mean by LFE channel trim?

danger boy

Originally posted by hamzahsh
Since I purchased Monter THX Ultra SUB cable. The bass in my Velodyne CHT-15 got louder and tigher and more powerful than ever. The cable did make the difference. Highly recommended!

what length is the cable? how much did it cost ya?

Dr. Spec

Doc, had a long day, it's getting late, and I'm tired, so forgive the probably stupid question of....what do you mean by LFE channel trim?

Some of the better pre/pros have the ability to attenuate the LFE (".1") channel on DD and DTS DVDs.

The LFE channel is normally boosted 10 dB in relation to the surround channels. LFE trim controls typically have a range of 0 to -10. So if you want, you can trim (i.e., attenuate) the amount of boost provided to the LFE channel. So if you set the LFE trim at -5, the LFE channel will only be boosted 5 dB by the pre/pro.

The LFE trim should always be set at 0, unless your sub is struggling or bottoming on difficult heavy bass passages.

hamzahsh

dangerboy,

It's 13.3ft and cost me $107 CDN.

PolkThug

hmmm. Thinking about it now, I guess my Onkyo doesn't have an "LFE" control, just a subwoofer level. So, I actually have SW level +2. (I'll have to go back through the setup and look again, maybe it is there somewhere)

Regards,
PT

VR3

I have mine on 0 -- (dont see how u guys put them on -5)

volume control on the sub at - 12 oclock

faster100

its all relative trey, if you dropped your sub plate amp to like 9 or 10 Oclock like mine is, you could bring up the -0 to -5 or so.. give or take... its a balanceing act.. both levels control the outcome

VR3

So basically, you turn down the sub level on the avr -- then you turn up the level on the sub?

Dosnt make any sense to me...

Willow

I think what it means is set your receiver lowest around 0 and use the sub lfe to adjust...I may be wrong but that how I have mine set

kberg

Originally posted by Dr. Spec
Some of the better pre/pros have the ability to attenuate the LFE (".1") channel on DD and DTS DVDs.

Thanks, Doc. No wonder I didn't know about it - I don't have it!

Dr. Spec

With the 20-39PC+, you don't need it, Kev.

The LFE channel should always be left at the unattenuated setting unless the sub can't take it.

It's not really a true THX bass limiter per se, but it can accomplish much of the same effect - keep the sub from being overloaded during bass heavy scenes at high volumes.

It's pretty scary what the standard 10 dB pre/pro boost on the LFE channel can do to a wimpy sub. DVDs are VERY demanding on a subwoofer, particularly considering it needs to handle the redirected bass from ALL channels in addition to the LFE channel if the speakers are set to small. Overall, that's a huge load.

When viewed in that light, suddenly a dual 12" driver sub packing 1,000 watts continuous doesn't seem much like overkill anymore.