What level do you run your sub at?

Serendipity

Just wanted to know what levels most people run their sub at. Would like to see if a higher seeting is more appropriate for movies, or to keep the sub low at all times. Some say to run the sub hot for movies.

I keep my sub -3db lower than my mains, so the DVE test tone peaks at 70-72db for the sub and 75db for the mains.

So -3db for me here.

McLoki

I run about +2 or +3 over my other speakers. My remote has a sub level button on it though so I can taylor it for the movie if needed.

Serendipity

McLoki wrote:

I run about +2 or +3 over my other speakers. My remote has a sub level button on it though so I can taylor it for the movie if needed.

Isn't that a bit loud?

McLoki

appadv wrote:

Isn't that a bit loud?

I don't think so, but if you come over and don't like it I would be glad to turn it down until you leave...

Michael

scottvamp

Cal. at -3. Volume at 3 to 4 o'clock. Anything else and i destroy homes and bottles fall off shelves.:eek:

Schwingding

It depends who's home! I leave it at 0db, that is - calibrated in line with the speakers, but if my wife is in the house I'll back it down to keep her happy. Raising it above calibration levels would be ridiculous with dual pb12 +/2 s.

VR3

For music, I like a tad hot - just my style of sound I like.

Usually around 2 or 3db hot for music.

For movies, if it were up to me Id have dual PB 12 Ultra/2 on each end of my futon and you wouldnt have a bowl movement in 2 weeks...

MillerLiteScott

Mine is +4 because I don't get to listen very loud. It seem just right to me though.

m00npie

0 db. If I'm home alone, I'll adjust the gain slightly higher to just less than half on the PB12\plus2 rather than adjust the receiver. I always wanted to go more but what’s the point of breaking things in the house.

Sherardp

I run mine at first notch on the sub itself then at -5 in the AVR and its still loud. Im still running it a little hot.

Shizelbs

I'm always adjust my sub, but I have it louder than my speakers thats for sure.

wingnut4772

+2 or 3 ish

Serendipity

Vr3MxStyler2k3 wrote:

For music, I like a tad hot - just my style of sound I like.

Usually around 2 or 3db hot for music.

For movies, if it were up to me Id have dual PB 12 Ultra/2 on each end of my futon and you wouldnt have a bowl movement in 2 weeks...

So you've lowered it eh?

Last time I heard your SVS I could have sworn there was an earthquake going through NC.

jwhitakr

+3 for me. I think it's entirely up to your personal preference, though.

Huck344

+2 for movies, +4 for music. Though, I have to say that on certain occasions, I've gone +5 just for the fun of it!

VR3

If you think that was an earthquake - hmmm, you should come back down when I get the Taylos and VMPS setup - will be absolutely sick.

AndyGwis

I run my sub hot. . . so hot that Al Gore knocked on my door to yell at me for causing global warming.

treitz3

I currently have a Polk Audio PSW1000. The 0dB and +3dB button is set at 0dB's with Hz set at 52. Volume is at inbetween 10-12 out of a possible 100 [10 for music, 12 for movies] This is with a system that has an available 2500 watts of power before it's exhausted, but if I put the sub up any more than that, I can tell where it is. For me, that's a no-no. Personally, I can't stand "Boom" at the bottom, just a great blend of the frequencies required to make the whole spectrum of sound emitted from the rig a wonderful experience, and a joy to listen to.

Serendipity

Vr3MxStyler2k3 wrote:

If you think that was an earthquake - hmmm, you should come back down when I get the Taylos and VMPS setup - will be absolutely sick.

Sure...but next time you're in my area of residence you can check out my setup - no earthquake pounding bass but a 140" front projection screen makes up for it.

mjhughes

Rather than running the sub at a setting that others have, you should download some test tones, (try these ones http://www.hsuresearch.com.au/Setup.html) play them back through your system and measure the tones with an RS meter. Adjust the sub settings so the tones measure as even as possible on the meter. The settings in your room will be different to the settings in anyone elses room. My point is that a general setting of +3db for the subwoofer is just an arbitrary figure. For the best sound in your room, you need to find the setting for your sub in your room buy measuring and listening. The results will be far more satisfying.

Serendipity

That's what I am talking about.

I use an RS sound meter to adjust the level of the sub using test tones on an Avia or DVE disc.

In my room the best level is achieved if the sub is set LOWER than what the test discs recommend.

harold280z

I run my basement sub just a bit hot +2...seems to make the pictures on the wall shake just a bit. Bedroom sub +1 on most movies.

treitz3

Sorry, this is continued from Mjhughes' post I'll quote him next time......


....and if you don't have a remote control, see if someone else can make the adjustments while you are sittin' in yer "spot". The sound emmitted from the sub will change as you get closer, make the adjustment, and change as you get further away from the sub as well.

If you have someone else make the adjustments, you will know how it effects the sound where YOU are sitting. (My suggestion) Play about nine or ten of the tracks that match the kind of music that you listen to, and learn "about" where you like it, so at least that way you will have a general "reference" as to the setting that you like. Good luck!

mjhughes

I too set my sub lower than the test signals on Avia or VE would suggest. I find that those levels result on very heavy bass that is out of proportion with the rest of the sound. By using test tones and a meter, the result is so much better, and you can start to understand what sound is doing in your particular room, a peak here, a dip there etc, then you can experiment with placement too to get better results. Trust your ears and change the level if it sounds wrong I reckon. A loud sub setting can sound impressive at first, but becomes annoying very quickly. I try to aim for the most accurate sound reproduction rather than a fake boomy bass sound.

Huck344

mjhughes wrote:

Rather than running the sub at a setting that others have, you should download some test tones, (try these ones http://www.hsuresearch.com.au/Setup.html) play them back through your system and measure the tones with an RS meter. Adjust the sub settings so the tones measure as even as possible on the meter. The settings in your room will be different to the settings in anyone elses room. My point is that a general setting of +3db for the subwoofer is just an arbitrary figure. For the best sound in your room, you need to find the setting for your sub in your room buy measuring and listening. The results will be far more satisfying.

Was unable to download the tones from your link. But I did find another site that had free test tones. http://www.ronelmm.com/tones/

Serendipity

Good advice.

I tried setting my sub a bit higher so that it was in line with the speakers, and it provided good results for movies. It sounded similar to that of a high-end movie theater (AMC 25 in Times Square) with the sub set at 0db instead of at -3db. I was impressed with the results.

For music though, I don't want to "hear" the sub, so I have it set as low as possible.

BIZILL

loud

Face

BIZILL wrote:

loud

Same here.

goingganzo

i have ran mine any where from 0 to +5 and have had no problems but i uslay have it setup at 0 or +1 i thought i was going to die when i had the sub setup at+3 and above listning at a good volume but i also have 4 18's

Serendipity

Tried today at +3db and the bass was overwhelming.

Went back down to 0db for movies and -3db for music, and was much more satisfied.

Holydoc

0db for movies (i.e., calibrated with the other speakers) and not used for music since I play in "pure" two-channel mode. That is why I bought the big boy towers so that I did not need a sub for music.