Can’t Level match my sub

[Mark M]

I have an Elac S12eq sub. When I try to match the sub volume with the rest of the speakers with an SPL meter the sub sounds way too loud. If I level match all 5 regular speakers I have to turn the sub down about 15db. In other words if my speakers are all set to 75db I end up setting the sub to 60db because 75db is overpowering.
Is this normal?

 

[everettT]

What is the subwoofers volume set at?

 

[Mark M]

I set the subs volume to 75 when I run autoeq on the onkyo avr. After autoeq completes, onkyo sets its sub level to 0. Onkyo detects this is the correct setting even though the spl level is lower than the rest of the speakers.
I then end up lowering the subs volume to 60 manually as it sounds too loud.

 

[lovinthehd]

I set the subs volume to 75 when I run autoeq on the onkyo avr. After autoeq completes, onkyo sets its sub level to 0. Onkyo detects this is the correct setting even though the spl level is lower than the rest of the speakers.
I then end up lowering the subs volume to 60 manually as it sounds too loud.

After auto setup what are your spl meter readings on ea channel vs sub?

 

[TheWarrior]

I set the subs volume to 75 when I run autoeq on the onkyo avr. After autoeq completes, onkyo sets its sub level to 0. Onkyo detects this is the correct setting even though the spl level is lower than the rest of the speakers.
I then end up lowering the subs volume to 60 manually as it sounds too loud.

Are you resting the mic on top of the couch or a pillow? You may be taking measurements where the mic is too closely located next to absorptive surfaces that make the receiver turn the 'sub level to 0'.

How do you like the phone app for the subwoofer?

 

[Mark M]

After auto setup what are your spl meter readings on ea channel vs sub?

The speakers end up around 72-73db
The sub ends up about 47db
The sub volume is at 75 and the avr is set to -8

 

[Mark M]

Are you resting the mic on top of the couch or a pillow? You may be taking measurements where the mic is too closely located next to absorptive surfaces that make the receiver turn the 'sub level to 0'.

How do you like the phone app for the subwoofer?

I have the mic facing up on a stick at ear level about 6 inches in front of the back of the couch.

The elac sub is very nice and the app is pretty slick.

 

[lovinthehd]

The speakers end up around 72-73db
The sub ends up about 47db
The sub volume is at 75 and the avr is set to -8

That sounds different from your earlier description of auto eq results (this is AccuEq?). Cant imagine why you'd find such low spl levels on the sub to match up better to the speakers....you've had subs before or not?

 

[Mark M]

That sounds different from your earlier description of auto eq results (this is AccuEq?). Cant imagine why you'd find such low spl levels on the sub to match up better to the speakers....you've had subs before or not?

Sorry you’re right AccuEQ. Yes I’m getting different numbers now.
Yes I got the sub the same time as the speakers. The speakers are elac uni-if uf5 towers. The surrounds are Elac Debut angled ceiling speakers.

 

[j_garcia]

Did you take a look at the EQ? Are there big adjustments in there? There may be room modes affecting the adjustment. There's also nothing wrong with letting it adjust and then dropping it down a few dB. I've found I needed to do that for mine too, because you don't always sit at the exact spot where it calibrates and it may sound louder everywhere else but that spot since that's what it eq'ed to.

 

[Mark M]

I don’t use the room correction settings. Also, if I choose to use the room eq I can’t see the eq settings that go with it, they are hidden.

It’s interesting how the avr now sets its sub level to -8 when the sub is set to 75.

I have seen a you tube video saying to lower the avr sub level to -12 or so and then increase the subs volume to 80 or so. Supposedly this creates more dynamics?

 

[lovinthehd]

I don’t use the room correction settings. Also, if I choose to use the room eq I can’t see the eq settings that go with it, they are hidden.

It’s interesting how the avr now sets its sub level to -8 when the sub is set to 75.

I have seen a you tube video saying to lower the avr sub level to -12 or so and then increase the subs volume to 80 or so. Supposedly this creates more dynamics?

The resultant sub level set should merely be a function of where you set gain on the sub....

 

[Mark M]

The resultant sub level set should merely be a function of where you set gain on the sub....

Right

 

[lovinthehd]

Right

As far as having the rèsulting level set in the negative range, gives you more room to raise level and lowering any potential for signal level clipping....

 

[j_garcia]

If you aren't using EQ, then just set it where it sounds good to you. Adjust the sub's gain up or down to get the level that gives you the most adjustment on the receiver (close to zero) without maxing out the sub.

 

[Mark M]

I thought the level and distance matching mattered even with room eq disabled.

 

[lovinthehd]

Just to be clear what do you mean by setting the sub level to 75 (or 80)...is this just a numerical scale the Elac has for gain? Just looked at the back of the sub for a knob, which it doesn't have, so seems everything's via the app. Are you using the sub's eq program at all?

 

[Mark M]

Just to be clear what do you mean by setting the sub level to 75 (or 80)...is this just a numerical scale the Elac has for gain? Just looked at the back of the sub for a knob, which it doesn't have, so seems everything's via the app. Are you using the sub's eq program at all?

Yes, 75 is just a numerical scale on the iphone app for the sub. There are no knobs/adjustments on the sub itself.

Yes, I'm using the subs eq.

 

[lovinthehd]

Yes, 75 is just a numerical scale on the iphone app for the sub. There are no knobs/adjustments on the sub itself.

Yes, I'm using the subs eq.

How about utilizing the sub's eq program? How did you choose location for the sub?

 

[Mark M]

How about utilizing the sub's eq program? How did you choose location for the sub?

The sub is in the front left corner. the subs eq is being utilized.