Sub volume management

ryanjoachim

I normally run my sub at max volume, and use my receiver to lower the sub level. I do this mostly because I have a son who likes to run away with remotes, so this way I can use my universal remote to control volume on the receiver without the tiny DSW remote.

Is there anything wrong with that?

SlowcarIX

do you adjust your lfe for music/ht?

why not just set the gain on the sub to ~50%, run audyssey?

danger boy

why not just place the remotes out of your son's reach?

I wouldn't run my subwoofer at max.. then lower it with the receiver. it can't sound real good maxing out the subwoofer volume. it would sound unnatural to me if I ever tried that.

i set my subwoofer to about 9 or 10 o'clock on the back of it. then the auto calibration runs and sets it in the pre amp at zero. i sometimes bump it up in the pre amp to +1 but never max it out on either one.

ryanjoachim

The problem with audyssey is that for some reason the volumes it sets my surrounds and fronts to are way too low for my liking (also, I am VERY hard of hearing so I need to manually adjust certain channels).

With Audyssey, if I change channel levels and turn off the receiver, when I turn it back on Audyssey reverts my changes to the Audyssey default.

And with the DSW Pro, there is no volume control knob...the current volume is shown based on a certain pattern and number of blinks from the led light on the front. So it's a little bit difficult to find the 50% or so mark.

I'm looking into getting a 30'+ sub cable in order to put the sub next to my couch, which should allow me to turn down the sub volume without missing the hard hits.

Kex

danger boy wrote: »

... I set my subwoofer to about 9 or 10 o'clock on the back of it. then the auto calibration runs and sets it in the pre amp at zero. i sometimes bump it up in the pre amp to +1 but never max it out on either one.

+1. If you are setting your subwoofer past 10 o' clock, then is probably not properly adjusted. Even 12 o' clock doesn't seem right to me, never mind all the way around to 4 or 5, where max would be!

ryanjoachim

I'm sure some of my problem is an underpowered receiver...Running 2 RTi10's and my DSW Pro 600 is probably taxing it's abilities...but I spent the majority of my budget getting the speakers I knew I wanted, and had to compromise on the receiver a bit.

Kex

ryanjoachim wrote: »

I'm sure some of my problem is an underpowered receiver...

Nope, not if your subwoofer has it's own amplifier (most of them do).

ryanjoachim

I can't remember if the dsw pro 600 does or not.

danger boy

Kex is correct.. most all subwoofers have their own built in amps.. so it takes zero power from your receiver.

If your sub has blinking lights on it.. turn it down to zero or the least amount of blinking lights. then turn it all the way up. and see how many blinking lights are on at full volume.. then back it down to half of those blinking lights. or slightly less.

the Audiessy (sp) in most receivers is not perfect.. it sets what it considers to be the best sound options.. but we don't all have the same room acoustics or speakers.. so it's very common to go in and adjust certain speakers to your best sound.

I run my left rear surround a notch or two hotter than my right surround.. because my hearing is slightly bad in that ear.

ryanjoachim

I'll definately give a try to changing the way I control volume.

Ron Temple

To avoid amp clipping it's best to balance the input signal with the sub amp's gain. Get a SPL meter and calibrate the sub either flat or slightly hot. You should be able to achieve this with both the input signal in the negative (-5 to -0) and the amp gain no greater than half. Once you're calibrated, leave the subs remote alone. If you don't think you're getting enough bass, it's probably room related and you need to check some other positions for the sub to get you the best bass response (and hopefully flattest).

Kex

ryanjoachim wrote: »

I can't remember if the dsw pro 600 does or not.

It's not hard to find this sort of info if your search around the site a little ...
http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/specs/subwoofers/individual/dswpro600/

bsoko2

I had a hard time adjusting my 5 subs all the time with volume so I put in a Paradigm X-30 sub controller. They are no longer in production but you will find them from time to time on ebay or craigslist. It basically allows you to adjust the volume levels of any sub and is installed just after coming out from the LFE on the reciever.

Bill