Beginner in need of help

[TMASS]

Hello everyone,

My name is Tyson and I am new to audioholics.com. My wife finally gave me the green light to buy a new home theater system(my first system). I'm running Def Tech's mythos 7 for the center, Studio Monitor 55 for the bookshelf, Mythos Gem XL for the surrounds, and, a SVS PB-1000 for my subwoofer. All of which will be powered by a Denon AVR-X4000.

I have many questions that I will address with later posts, but, my first question is this. My wife and I just purchased a new home and the sellers left behind a 12" down firing Infinity Subwoofer(model: Bu2). I'm not sure if the subwoofer even works, but, I'm wondering if it would be even worth running this second subwoofer with my current setup. Nothing is installed yet since I have to do some carpentry work to rearrange the built in media cabinets. Please let me know what you think. Any input will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

[rojo]

Hey Tyson, and welcome! It sounds like you're off to a great start. Regarding running the Infinity as a second sub, I say if it sounds better than the SVS alone, then go for it.

As you can see in my sig I've got a pretty decent Paradigm sub and a crappy JBL. Because of my room layout, placement of my subs isn't optimal. Having both subs volume-matched, time-aligned, and room-corrected really helps even out the response so I don't hear bass more in one ear than the other. I lean heavily on the Paradigm for bass below 30Hz, but having both play above that helps. Bear in mind that I never listen at or near reference levels. Your mileage may vary. But with that Denon's Sub EQ XT, you're already set to run dual subs, each with independent correction. You're already a step ahead where I was when I started with dual subs.

Worst case scenario, you try it, it doesn't work out, and you go back to using the SVS only. No blood, no foul.

Depending on placement of the subs, you might need to dial one of them out of phase about 90° to keep them from cancelling out some frequencies.

Sent from my LG-VS980 using Tapatalk

 

[zieglj01]

You can try it - however, I would donate it.

 

[TMASS]

Ok, you started to lose me at "time-aligned" and "room corrected." I know absolutely nothing about calibrating a home theater setup. For instance, I have no idea what the frequency dial on the back of the subwoofer even does. When you say you matched your volume on your two subs, did the JBL distort when it was trying to keep up with your Paradigm?

 

[zieglj01]

I know absolutely nothing about calibrating a home theater setup.

Well one of the first things you need to do, is look at the bottom where the woofer is,
and make sure that the foam surround is not dry-rotted on the woofer.

 

[rojo]

Ok, you started to lose me at "time-aligned" and "room corrected." I know absolutely nothing about calibrating a home theater setup.

With that Denon's Audyssey features, you don't have to know much. On AVS Forum there's a great tutorial on Audyssey setup that I think would benefit you.

For instance, I have no idea what the frequency dial on the back of the subwoofer even does.

That's the subs' low-pass filter frequency, the frequency above which the amplifier diminishes the signal, so your sub doesn't try to play flutes and violins. Your Denon also has such a crossover, so set that dial on your subs to the highest setting.

When you say you matched your volume on your two subs, did the JBL distort when it was trying to keep up with your Paradigm?

Well, like I said before, I don't ever listen near reference levels. If I did then I might feel differently about the JBL. If by distort you mean bottom out and rattle or otherwise lose control, then no, it remains smooth. The JBL works well as a supplemental bass module to even out the balance and enlarge the sweet spot my room. But it's not nearly as punchy as the Paradigm, and it doesn't reach subsonics with as much authority. The blend between the two is complimentary though.

Sent from my LG-VS980 using Tapatalk

 

[TMASS]

Thank you for the input Rojo. It's greatly appreciated.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Having 2 subs (like one on each side of the front wall) may improve the bass response in your room. I say do it.

 

[TMASS]

That is exactly the case. There will be one sub on both the left and right side of my fireplace inside my media cabinets. I will certainly give it a try. Hopefully I set everything up properly.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

The Denon X4000 has Audyssey XT32 + dual independent Sub EQ.

So apply Audyssey and turn Dynamic EQ on, but turn off Dynamic Volume.

 

[TMASS]

Why would I want to turn off the Dynamic Volume? Does this give me independent volume control for each subwoofer?

The Denon X4000 has Audyssey XT32 + dual independent Sub EQ.

So apply Audyssey and turn Dynamic EQ on, but turn off Dynamic Volume.

 

[rojo]

It's the Audiophile Way®.

I leave Dynamic Volume on medium when watching television and low for movies and music. I'd turn it off for music, but I'm to lazy. The problem with Dynamic Volume is that it compresses the volume, which results in less dynamic range and less musicality. But for me, messing with the setting is more trouble than it's worth. I might feel differently if there were a single-button toggle possible on the remote, though.

Dynamic Volume keeps dynamic peaks from waking my toddler.

 

[agarwalro]

It's the Audiophile Way®.

I leave Dynamic Volume on medium when watching television and low for movies and music. I'd turn it off for music, but I'm to lazy. The problem with Dynamic Volume is that it compresses the volume, which results in less dynamic range and less musicality. But for me, messing with the setting is more trouble than it's worth. I might feel differently if there were a single-button toggle possible on the remote, though.

Dynamic Volume keeps dynamic peaks from waking my toddler.

Laziness is exactly why I keep Dynamic Volume off all the time. Like you I wish there was a toggle, but for Restorer. It masks poor quality internet streams (set to low) but shares the setting with streaming WAVs from my library (for which I'd keep it off). So, Restorer has stayed off after I forgot to toggle it off a couple of times.

 

[TMASS]

Ok, that makes sense.

 

[TMASS]

So, I guess my next question would be how do I set up the infinity Bu2 to match the SVS PB1000. The infinity doesn't have an (LFE) setting.

Here's SVS PB-1000 user manual:

https://system.na1.netsuite.com/core/media/media.nl?id=21135&c=3634088&h=54d7fb947b2d31df8b93&_xt=.pdf&ck=QwaRFrrgAc4_vhdW&vid=QwaRFrrgAdo_vvWd&cktime=123067&addrcountry=US&gc=clear&ext=F

And here's Infinity's user manual:

http://diagramas.diagramasde.com/audio/INFINITY - BU2.pdf