Paradigm PW-2200 .V2

rkn2903

Dr. Spec I wanted to know if you are anyone could help me set up my Paradigm PW-2200 .V2 sub with the Radio Shack SPL meter, I have a Denon 3300 receiver, all Polk fr, cnt, surround sound speakers, room size is 29x23x8.5 ceilings, I also have the Avia testing cd, which I'm alittle con fused on how to use. Thanks

Dr. Spec

Avia is a Dolby Digital format, and relies on redirected bass in order to calibrate the subwoofer level. This requires the speakers to be set to small, and the speaker channel in question will then contribute bass to the subwoofer tone.

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, the phase setting of the subwoofer, and the crossover frequency selected.

For example, the left main channel in my system is several dB higher (than any other channel) on the subwoofer tone, because that speaker is physically close to the subwoofer (and also in phase with it), and this results in acoustic coupling. If I selected the left main channel for sub calibration, it would result in under-calibration of the sub.

The best way to calibrate the subwoofer with Avia is to run the sub test tone for each speaker channel and note the results. Pick the channel that seems most representative of the average, and use it for final sub calibration. This method will tend to eliminate over or under calibration by disregarding the highest and the lowest values and using the average.

Also, a good way to evaluate the effect of the phase control when using Avia is to run the sub calibration tone for the speaker closest to the subwoofer and try the phase at 0 and then at 180. Observes what happens on the SPL meter. Usually one setting will be considerably higher than the other, indicating the subwoofer and the nearest speaker are the most "in phase" at that phase setting. This may not be completely desirable from a smooth FR standpoint, but it can help you understand the effect of the phase control, since Avia does rely on redirected bass.

It is best to calibrate the system/sub with a disc like Avia and a sound meter. Keep your sub level in the AVR around -5 to minimize pre-out distortion levels, and adjust the sub volume at plate amp.

While bass tastes will vary, most prefer the sub 2-3 dB hot for HT, and flat for music. Because it is C-weighted, the RS sound meter reads about 2 dB LOW on the typical subwoofer rumble tone.

So an average reading of 85-86 dB on the meter is about 87-88 dB in reality - or 2-3 dB "hot". This would be a good starting point for HT.

An average reading of 83-84 dB on the meter is about 85-86 dB in reality - or about "flat". This would be a good starting point for music.

Doc

rkn2903

Dr. Spec do I adjust the Sub woofer Ch. volume on my receiver, or do I leave it at 0 and just adjust it from the sub level knob on back of my sub, and also do I set my crossover on back of the sub to 160hz? Thanks

gatemplin

Originally posted by rkn2903
Dr. Spec do I adjust the Sub woofer Ch. volume on my receiver, or do I leave it at 0

The Doc recommends leaving the sub channel in the receiver as low as possible to reduce preout distortion.

and also do I set my crossover on back of the sub to 160hz?

Also, a good way to evaluate the effect of the phase control when using Avia is to run the sub calibration tone for the speaker closest to the subwoofer and try the phase at 0 and then at 180. Observes what happens on the SPL meter. Usually one setting will be considerably higher than the other, indicating the subwoofer and the nearest speaker are the most "in phase" at that phase setting. This may not be completely desirable from a smooth FR standpoint, but it can help you understand the effect of the phase control, since Avia does rely on redirected bass.

rkn2903

I have the LFE -5 for low destortion on my receiver, but I'm not sure about the subwoofer Ch. on the receiver like the ones i adjust for the RF, LF,C,SR,SL, and (This one SW do I leave this ch. set at zero and adjust the vol. from the back of the sub). Thanks

gatemplin

You can adjust that, or the sub volume on the amp to set the overall level during calibration.

Dr. Spec

There is sometimes a difference between the LFE level and the subwoofer channel level.

The LFE level usually refers to a "trim" (attenuation) control for the LFE channel (.1). This should always be left at 0 and is usually on a scale of 0 to -10.

The subwoofer level is the actual pre-out level control for the subwoofer.

If the sub has an unfiltered input, use that. It typically bypasses the crossover. If there is none, then set the xo to its highest setting to avoid filter cascading with the digital BM circuit.

rkn2903

Thanks for everything, got her sounding pretty good. One question, how does the Paradighm PW-2200 .v2 compare to the SVS PB12-ISD?