Calibrating multiple subs

[photographer86]

I watched Gene's video from youtube on calibrating multiple sub woofers. When calibrating to 75db reference level for all speakers and subs, does it have any baring to use the volume/gain knob on each sub at one time while measuring with spl meter at listening position to see 75db spl measured? Instead of just turning those knobs volume/gain to half way or 3 quarters for each sub say if you have 4 in a room and just adjusting trim?. I know your gonna have db gain but wouldn't this volume match to reference lvl better since you know each sub is playing at 75b spl measured at reference volume of say 0.0db on avr.

Just currious thanks guys.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

Sorry man, not sure exactly what you’re asking. When I calibrate my 3 subs I set them individually, one at a time with the other 2 off, to about 68db each. When all 3 are turned on, i then get about 75db. Then after I run audyssey, I bump the trim to 78-80. (I normally run rew sweeps and flatten with minidsp before audyssey but that’s a different topic lol)

 

[photographer86]

Ahhh okay. Yup thats what i was asking. Have only one sub on at time is exactly the first part of my question and is what im doing also. My second part to that was should i spl meter to 75db for each one or do as you’re doing, read 68 spl and turn them all on once inhave spl meter each to 68db then which like u said could give me about 75db and trim from there in the receiver!! So what worked good for you was settings the subs to 68db each? Give or take?

Oh also i am familiar with rew as well for seeing nulls and dips for the sub, unfortunately not minidsp hd yet correct so do the best i can with phase on the subs to help with the nulls and dips. Just instead of following so many guides “ just set your knobs to 12 oclock on subs and trim from there i thought maybe it would be better to spl each sub first with master volume set to reference 0.0 on receiver walk over to sub and turn up volume/gain/knob lol on sub till it shows 75db spl indicated. But i follow cause i remember reading that each sub could add 3db gain. So makes sence to do maybe 68 per each one or find happy medium. Ill try that and see how she sounds. Thanks.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

Ahhh okay. Yup thats what i was asking. Have only one sub on at time is exactly the first part of my question and is what im doing also. My second part to that was should i spl meter to 75db for each one or do as you’re doing, read 68 spl and turn them all on once inhave spl meter each to 68db then which like u said could give me about 75db and trim from there in the receiver!! So what worked good for you was settings the subs to 68db each? Give or take?

Oh also i am familiar with rew as well for seeing nulls and dips for the sub, unfortunately not minidsp hd yet correct so do the best i can with phase on the subs to help with the nulls and dips. Just instead of following so many guides “ just set your knobs to 12 oclock on subs and trim from there i thought maybe it would be better to spl each sub first with master volume set to reference 0.0 on receiver walk over to sub and turn up volume/gain/knob lol on sub till it shows 75db spl indicated. But i follow cause i remember reading that each sub could add 3db gain. So makes sence to do maybe 68 per each one or find happy medium. Ill try that and see how she sounds. Thanks.

Yeah, that’s the gist of it. If you have two subs, they might each be set to 72 for a combined 75. seems like you have a pretty good handle on it! Curious how it turns out.

 

[lovinthehd]

Two general methods to setup each sub's level....gain matching or level matching. This thread discusses it.

 

[photographer86]

I am reading the artical now and will probably re cal the system this weekend. Ill update you guys.

 

[photographer86]

I have learned so much. I mean so much from the help here and the videos. The system sounds great. Graphs are looking good and feel very well off I did what I could with some peaks of the room. Thanks for all your guys help. I have 4 paradigm subs now. Every seat is very good. I didn't expect it to even out bass as much as it did. I also have the time aligning well off that it sounds like the bass is coming from my s26's book shelf speakers. Like they're playing the bass. Can't localize the subs at all. Very impressed!!!! Took a lot of learning and tinkering though. So if anyone else gets this involved, keep going and don't give up. So much more to learn still.