New 404 sounds terrible (newbie)

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Comments

  • jefft1314
    jefft1314 Posts: 169
    edited August 2004
    the stf-3 will hit notes that a psw-404 will never hit and it will be lourder than two 404's together. So I vote for hte stf-3, or if you could swing it, pick up a pci sub from svs or thier isd-pb1.
  • scottvamp
    scottvamp Posts: 3,277
    edited August 2004
    Originally posted by Vr3MxStyler2k3
    psw1200 is side firing. df port...
    Huh:confused:
  • squish
    squish Posts: 34
    edited August 2004
    So that is one vote for the STF-3.

    I am trying it out again on the right of the sofa. Using the sound meter, and the Avia home tuning dvd, I get the sub at the same db as the fronts, as the instructions mention.
    Then I put in LOTR and watch the first fight scene and what i'm missing is the "feeling" of the bass. So am I looking for the right thing? I'm sure I can hear it, not very loud, but the bass is there.

    So is that what a STF-3 would give me, more than the 404? Or am I trying to find something that I cannot achieve with my limited budget. Is what I am missing called "pressurizing" the room?

    Thanks again

    Edit: Stupid last question, of course that is what I am looking for
    Equipment:
    Receiver: Onkyo TX-SR601
    Fronts: Polk RTi10's
    Center: Polk Csi40
    Rear: noname
    Subwoofer: SVS 20-39 PCi One day
    DVD: looking for better one
  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,654
    edited August 2004
    PB1ISD will give better performance in the low end. When the frequencies get below 30hz, the SVS will walk away from the HSU. They have similar sonic qualities and are both equal until the lower octaves. The SVS for the money will probally suit you since you have a large room. You need all the help you can get with it...

    If you like Cylinders, you can get the SVS PCi 25-31 (With the free 22hz tune) for 50 dollars less and will perform the same.

    FWIW...

    The SVS would make the 404 a **** in the wind... ;)

    www.svsubwoofers.com
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
  • faster100
    faster100 Posts: 6,124
    edited August 2004
    if you can wait a short while, SVS is coming out with a 400.00 sub that would be close to the price of that 404, or get a Pb1 like others have mentioned or Hsu as you mentioned.. all would do a alot better then what you have for that size room, If you decide to unload the polk for another brand that is...
    MY HT RIG:
    Sherwood p-965
    Sherwood sd871 dvd
    Rotel 1075 amp x5
    LSI15 mains
    LsiC center
    LSIfx surround backs
    Lsi7 side surrounds
    SVS pb12/plus2


    2 Channel Rig:

    nad 1020 Pre-amp
    Rotel 1080 stereo amp
    Polk sda 2B
    kenwood grunt Tuner
    realistic lab 450 TT
    Signal cable IC
  • Dr. Spec
    Dr. Spec Posts: 3,780
    edited August 2004
    I get the sub at the same db as the fronts, as the instructions mention.

    Avia is true Dolby Digital and uses the speaker channels for sub calibration and therefore allows the speaker channel in question to contribute bass to the subwoofer tone.

    I have found that the amount of bass each speaker contributes to the sub tone is highly dependent on its room location, its inherent bass capabilities, its proximity to the subwoofer, and the xo you have selected.

    For example, the left main channel in my system is several dB higher than any other channel on the subwoofer tone. If I selected the left main channel for sub calibration, it would result in undercalibration of the sub.

    The best way is to run the Avia sub test tone for each speaker channel and note the results. Pick the one that seems most representative of the average and go with it for final sub calibration.

    For HT applications, try the sub level about 88-89 dB, as read on the meter (85 dB for the other speakers), and see if you get a bit more room pressure.
    "What we do in life echoes in eternity"

    Ed Mullen (emullen@svsound.com)
    Director - Technology and Customer Service
    SVS
  • muran05
    muran05 Posts: 1
    edited August 2004
    Originally posted by squish
    So that is one vote for the STF-3.

    .........
    Then I put in LOTR and watch the first fight scene and what i'm missing is the "feeling" of the bass. So am I looking for the right thing? I'm sure I can hear it, not very loud, but the bass is there.

    .........

    What overall sound level are you listenng at? As you have a youngster I assume that you don't listen with it very loud. At lower levels you need to boost low frequencies to compensate. IIRC using the Avia disk you set each speaker to 85dB at the listening position. You should set the sub to 88dB as a starting point and try LOTR again. I normally set the LFE level on my receiver at about a third of the way up, then use the gain on the sub to calibrate to the reference level. That gives me the capabilty to use the remote to boost or lessen the bass during a movie.

    Andrew

    I don't think anyone has yet suggested using the "crawl around the room" method of finding the best sub placement. For this you need to position the sub where you would normally sit. Then you crawl about to find where it sounds loudest. In practice most rooms only have two or three places where the sub can conviently be placed so it isn't that difficult. Once you get it in approximatelty the right place you may find that just moving it a few inches makes a big difference, or even just turning it.
  • Eric W
    Eric W Posts: 556
    edited August 2004
    Originally posted by scottvamp
    That sub right next to the opening IS the main problem. It needs to be corner loaded.


    I agree, never have a sub next to an opening like that.
    -Eric
    -Polk Audio
  • squish
    squish Posts: 34
    edited August 2004
    The SVS would make the 404 a **** in the wind...

    I am glad to hear that Vr3MxStyler2k3. I would hate to spend double for the subwoofer and not get much more.

    faster100: Thanks for the heads up. I have about 1 week left to return the polk 404 to CC so I have to make this decision pretty quickly.

    Dr. Spec: Thank you for that explanation. I seemed to notice that and kept changing the sub as it moved from one speaker to the next. I will take your advice.

    muran05: I think you may have hit on something that I was dreading. I may need earplugs for my wife as she does not like it that loud.

    But I do have a question in all this: How do you determine what volume the receiver must be on to get to all the quoted volumes you guys talk about?
    Do you use the pink sound in the dvd test, and then note the volume level on the receiver, and then play the dvd at that volume?
    Or do you use the soundmeter and listen to LOTR start and try guess the level?
    Or if I change the receiver to absolute volume can I use the -dB indicator to calculate the volume?

    Eric W: I agree I think that is my BIGGEST problem. On the right of the TV is the fireplace which is 45 degrees to the outside wall, so there are no "courners" there. Another suggestion I have had is on the right of the sofa, against the outside wall. Facing forward would be 12' to the wall, and probably 12' behind it to the wall behind.
    This room seems to be my big problem. So to the last question: Am I waisting money/effort trying to get it sound good. Should I give up and wait until I move into a new house!

    Thanks for any replies.
    Equipment:
    Receiver: Onkyo TX-SR601
    Fronts: Polk RTi10's
    Center: Polk Csi40
    Rear: noname
    Subwoofer: SVS 20-39 PCi One day
    DVD: looking for better one
  • squish
    squish Posts: 34
    edited August 2004
    OK I've ordered the HSU STF-3, Hope it works.

    Thanks will let you know outcome.

    If any of you knowledgeable people could answer my questions above I would be gratefull.
    Equipment:
    Receiver: Onkyo TX-SR601
    Fronts: Polk RTi10's
    Center: Polk Csi40
    Rear: noname
    Subwoofer: SVS 20-39 PCi One day
    DVD: looking for better one
  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited August 2004
    But I do have a question in all this: How do you determine what volume the receiver must be on to get to all the quoted volumes you guys talk about?

    First of all, allow me to congratulate you on ordering the STF-3. Prepare to be amazed.

    OK, now on to your question -- use your ears. I'd start by getting everything calibrated. Then I'd adjust the sub's volume in the receiver based on my listening preferences. Since I like lots of bass, I have my receiver's sub volume at +3 dB beyond its reference level. I had to experiment a little to finally decide to keep it there, but it works well for most movies.

    Give us some feedback on the Hsu once you receive it.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."