Volume, Phase, and Low Pass Filter (Passover/Frequent) - explain it like I am 5 years old

[HardOfHearing]

When listening to music, TV, movie or whatever, do you just play around with all 3 knobs?
Or even before starting a movie, you can tell based on the type of movie that you want the volume at X, the Phase at Y and the Low Pass Filter at Z?

I can figure out volume, but what is Phase and Low Pass Filter?
Playing with these knobs changes the sound but when would one want to change the Phase and Low Pass Filter??

Yes, rotating the Phase changes the phase but what is it actually doing?
Changing the Low Pass Filter and the bass definitely got deeper but why use this and not just the volume know?

Can you explain it like talking to a 5 year old what each does and when/why you would want to change them.

 

[Trebdp83]

Hello and welcome, let the games begin. What are you working with there? AVR, speakers, subwoofer?

 

[lovinthehd]

Once I setup a sub I don't generally touch it at all let alone "play around" with the settings for each thing I listen to. Sometimes I might increase level, but not on the sub directly, it's inconvenient and generally less accurate, particularly if just a knob. Phase is delay (called distance in your avr), and sounds like you have a variable phase control rather than a simple 0/180 degree switch (essentially a polarity switch). Low pass filter is half of a crossover (which is the combination of a low pass filter and a high pass filter), but many subs do not provide a high pass filter for your speakers and most just use the bass management in the avr rather than try and "blend" a sub using only the sub's low pass filter (and when using an avr you should max out the low pass filter on the sub to avoid cascading the filter with that of your avr). So just what gear are you using, what sub and what other electronics? Five year olds aren't allowed to play with my audio gear, tho

 

[HardOfHearing]

The question is specific to a subwoofer and thought they were generic questions unrelated to associated components.
I have noticed some music or show seem to have too much bass or too little.
Wasn't sure which knob is best to increase/decrease.

 

[lovinthehd]

Still would help to know specifics of what sub and what you're using it with. In general terms you might try this article https://www.audioholics.com/subwoofer-setup/basic-subwoofer-setup

ps The volume knob adjusts level/gain for the sub's amp.

 

[HardOfHearing]

The Sub is a SVS SB-1000.
Another question is if its typical to be making a change in the setting prior to each movie/show/music or are these supposed to be a set once and leave alone?

 

[HardOfHearing]

Chatted with SVS and they were very helpful.
Explained what I was experiencing.
Pretty much have my questions answered and will probably reconfigure the room with the AVR after changing my sub settings.

 

[Pogre]

The question is specific to a subwoofer and thought they were generic questions unrelated to associated components.
I have noticed some music or show seem to have too much bass or too little.
Wasn't sure which knob is best to increase/decrease.

Gee, ask for help then get prickly when we ask for more details...

If we don't know the associated gear then we don't know what said gear is capable of. For instance, if your avr has bass management then you don't even need to worry about a low pass filter (which filters out higher frequencies, allowing only bass or lower frequencies to "pass"). If using bass management then I'd just bypass the LP filter altogether. I wouldn't mess with phase either, unless there's a problem. Otherwise leave it at zero. Phase has to do with distance and timing.

Plus depending on what settings you may or may not be using on your avr there are different methods for dialing your bass in.

 

[lovinthehd]

Well glad SVS could help, good luck. Seeing what sub you have, you could use the app to make adjustments from your chair instead of fiddling with the knobs, too. Hopefully you find a good way to set it up so you need to maybe just change it for movies vs music or something general like that.

 

[Trebdp83]

Yeah, f#%k em'. If they want more help they can keep calling SVS. I'm not in the mood to explain anything as if I were speaking to a 5 year old if that person also insists on acting like a 5 year old. Oh, and you use "an" instead of "a" before a consonant with a vowel sound such as S. Hmm, maybe the OP is 5 years old.

 

[HardOfHearing]

Trust me if I thought it was pertinent to the question I would have included.
People tend to inquire what others have to be nosey as opposed to helpful.
Once SVS explained it, it made sense as to why it was required....and they didn't act like douches either.

Thanks to those truly trying to help.

 

[lovinthehd]

Trust me if I thought it was pertinent to the question I would have included.
People tend to inquire what others have to be nosey as opposed to helpful.
Once SVS explained it, it made sense as to why it was required....and they didn't ask like douches either.

You're the one sounding like a douche so far....you want help you have to provide details other than vague questions/descriptions of your subjective impressions....just not much to go on. Or at least educate yourself beyond that of a 5 year old....the internet makes research rather simple really.

ps Also sharing just what you learned and how you will actually implement it would be at least be interesting....rather than just a tease.

 

[Trebdp83]

Trust me if I thought it was pertinent to the question I would have included.
People tend to inquire what others have to be nosey as opposed to helpful.
Once SVS explained it, it made sense as to why it was required....and they didn't act like douches either.

Thanks to those truly trying to help.

I always act like a douche bag whenever I encounter a big p..... But, seriously, I care not about your gear. It was not an attempt to be nosey. I just thought I'd try and lend a hand. I don't judge. I own Dayton Audio speakers for f#&k's sake! I'm glad you worked it out. I do hope you will consider coming around again if you have any more questions or concerns. There are more than a few very knowledgeable audioholics around here. Now, if you will excuse me, I'm going to go empty myself of all of this vinegar. I think I'll make pickles and a nice coleslaw.

 

[Pogre]

Once SVS explained it, it made sense as to why it was required

And..? Why is it required for your case?

and they didn't act like douches either.

Of course not, you're a paying customer. Here you're just another Joe looking for help and acting like a douche when we ask for more details...