5 subwoofers... should i use all 5 with audyssey?

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cameron paterson

Audioholic Chief
So I have a receiver that uses audyssey. It can do 2 subwoofers with the audyssey software. I have 1 18" subwoofer and then 4 Mid Bass Modules. 2 near field right behind the main listener and 2 up front with my front sitting on the MBMs which are sideways. The MBMs play 40hz to 120hz. My question is should I run just my main subwoofer with audyssey? Or try it with the 4 other MBMs as well? I am guessing just the 1 subwoofer but want to be sure....
Thanks guys for any help!
 
A

andyblackcat

Audioholic General
Are they HSU subs MBM as I'm unclear about them?

If you have 5 matched two to three at the front.
two at the back of the room.

You do realize its trail and error in placement and testing to get them all performing nicely.

Get a calibration microphone
Dayton
https://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-umm-6-usb-measurement-microphone--390-808

Behringer a cluster of them so they can be positioned at the speakers or subs or placed around the seating area you just have to use the imagination and explore it.
https://www.parts-express.com/behringer-ecm8000-measurement-microphone--248-625

Maybe a Behringer multi channel pre amplifier which would save on buying smaller pre amps this one can have 8 with XLR patched in
https://www.parts-express.com/behringer-rx1202fx-12-input-mic-line-rack-mixer-w-mic-preamp--248-6360

Then download REW free.
https://www.roomeqwizard.com/

And with that you should be sorted. :)
 
everettT

everettT

Audioholic Spartan
REW + microphone + eq as discussed before. You have ventured into the realm where no autoeq will be of great benefit with multiple subs and MBMs.
 
M Code

M Code

Audioholic General
So I have a receiver that uses audyssey. It can do 2 subwoofers with the audyssey software. I have 1 18" subwoofer and then 4 Mid Bass Modules. 2 near field right behind the main listener and 2 up front with my front sitting on the MBMs which are sideways. The MBMs play 40hz to 120hz. My question is should I run just my main subwoofer with audyssey? Or try it with the 4 other MBMs as well? I am guessing just the 1 subwoofer but want to be sure....
Thanks guys for any help!
More subwoofers is not necessarily better..
We have done a couple of high end JBL Synthesis installs using up to (4) subwoofers...
But basically we followed the system setup direction as outlined by Dr.Toole/Wenti in their white papers.. 1 important point made by Dr.Toole is that all subwoofers should be the same brand/model..
IMHO... U are going to cause all sorts of LF issues that will totally confuse the room EQ software..
But then again I would suggest U try it but be prepared to do alot of trial & error.. Every room has a different acoustic footprint, each subwoofer can/will vary for Q & bandwidth making the outcome unpredictable... It really depends what soundstage and tonal balance U are targeting for...

Here is link to some of the white papers on multiple subwoofers from JBL..
https://www.harman.com/sites/default/files/white-paper/12/11/2015 - 06:12/files/multsubs.pdf


Just my $0.02... ;)
 
S

shadyJ

Speaker of the House
Staff member
A five sub system really deserves a subwoofer equalization and management system better than Audyssey. I would just just a mic, and place the subs where they get the best overall response, and then manually EQ them if there is a need at that point. I would not run Audyssey.
 
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PENG

Audioholic Slumlord
A five sub system really deserves a subwoofer equalization and management system better than Audyssey. I would just just a mic, and place the subs where they get the best overall response, and then manually EQ them if there is a need at that point. I would not run Audyssey.
I don't know about better REQ systems such as Dirac and Anthem's that are reportedly better than Audyssey. Based on my own findings (plotted numerous graphs), I would say Audyssey can do a better job than doing it manually and/or minidsp with REW. And I happened to have 5 different subs in use.
 
S

snakeeyes

Audioholic Ninja
I don't know about better REQ systems such as Dirac and Anthem's that are reportedly better than Audyssey. Based on my own findings (plotted numerous graphs), I would say Audyssey can do a better job than doing it manually and/or minidsp with REW. And I happened to have 5 different subs in use.
Which 5 subs do you have? Most people stop at 2 or 3. :)
 
P

PENG

Audioholic Slumlord
Which 5 subs do you have? Most people stop at 2 or 3. :)
Pc12u and pb13u for the front, energy Veritas for the side, not telling you the rear one as it isn't much of a sub and don't want you laugh so much that you may choke if eating or drinking..
 
C

cameron paterson

Audioholic Chief
One other question. when I run audyssey it sets the crossovers for my fronts and center at 40hz. Then 110hz for my surrounds and 80hz for front dolby and 110hz for my rear dolby... I am fine with that except for the center and fronts. If I manually set the fronts and center to 80hz each will that completely ruin my whole audyssey setup? I don't think my speakers can be set at 40hz since I listen to movies rather loudly. These are the fronts and center I am using right now:

https://www.diysoundgroup.com/home-theater-speaker-kits/home-theater-series/impressives/elusive-1099.html
 
Last edited:
lovinthehd

lovinthehd

Audioholic Jedi
One other question. when I run audyssey it sets the crossovers for my fronts and center at 40hz. Then 110hz for my surrounds and 80hz for front dolby and 110hz for my rear dolby... I am fine with that except for the center and fronts. If I manually set the fronts and center to 80hz each will that completely ruin my whole audyssey setup? I don't think my speakers can be set at 40hz since I listen to movies rather loudly. These are the fronts and center I am using right now:

https://www.diysoundgroup.com/home-theater-speaker-kits/home-theater-series/impressives/elusive-1099.html
Raising a crossover is fine after running Audyssey, Audyssey says if you lower them will open a gap in the eq. I'd start with 80hz myself with those speakers.
 
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cameron paterson

Audioholic Chief
So is it ok to go from 40hz to 80hz on the fronts and center crossovers? And it will not effect anything after audyssey? But keep the dolby speakers and surround speakers where theyre at?
 
lovinthehd

lovinthehd

Audioholic Jedi
So is it ok to go from 40hz to 80hz on the fronts and center crossovers? And it will not effect anything after audyssey? But keep the dolby speakers and surround speakers where theyre at?
Yes, it's fine to raise the crossover, as Audyssey's eq will still be in effect; it's when you lower the crossover you open up gaps in the eq. The other crossovers for the various surrounds seem quite reasonable.
 
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