FROM LAST NIGHT:
A lot less noticeable than the original enclosure.
The first check was not with my ears but my fingers. I had to touch 'em to make sure they were firing. Then I cranked it up 5 db at normal-ish listening levels. Then 10db. I mean I could hear it but it just wasn't ... what I'm use too (or is that used too?).
Anyway the Rat Shack analog SPL meter and test tones raised the sub 7 db from where the old enclosure had it, to come up to the level of the mains. Dennis said the mains are good to ~45 Hz (2 cu ft sealed enclosure for a 10" driver).
Uhmmm ... the memory setting for music is 3, which skips dynamic range control and sends sub frequencies to both the mains and sub from a 60 Hz cross. Running the test tones shows output which you can obviously hear.
I only blared a couple of songs from BSA's Plex collection. Personal Jesus by Depeche Mode at ~94 db and then the into for Money For Nothing at something approaching 100 db. Aside from it being heaven, I can't really comment on the sub. Like you can't pick a spot in the music and say 'yep, that's the sub'.
FROM THIS MORNING:
It's been so long since I played a disc but this morning I dug out the Brothers in Arms SACD. That crosses at 100 Hz so it gives the sub a little more to do. Bass Management settings are done in the player. Now I have to check those settings with a calibration ... I'm terrible at no.1 setting things up and no.2 quick listening impressions. The SACD player brought the sub level up 12 db. I had the room to go up 12 db because the previous subs on that player had the mains turned all the way up and the sub turned all the way down. So I think I may have overstuffed it ... critical damping (?) ... is that the term? Maybe moving the drivers 16" apart caused a loss of sensitivity? Not an issue due to normal listening levels and a beefy enough amp sections.
I think the Denon DVD player went up 12 db vs the receiver's 7 db because it handled up tp 100 Hz and didn't send LFE to the mains as the rec'r would have. That make sense? Bearing more of the load, losses would be greater? Anyway, once I got over being completely clueless about what I was hearing and got it set up right ... well, here ... let me explain what had me duped at first. The low cross of 60 Hz being sent to both mains and sub meant I was getting some bass and I could hear bass and I could feel the drivers moving. That left me listening to everything else in stupified amazement. Everything else really does sound good so that's all good but then the sub got turned up 7 db based on the rec'r's test tones. Then good was better.
Moving onto the SACD the same thing happened, it took me maybe 10 or 15 minutes to realize I needed to check those levels. That difference was way more pronounced as everything below 100 Hz suffered the 12 db loss which would all come from the sub.
Now that this actually does sound as right as it can sound ... oh hot f^%&, it's the 4th, we're watching the dog, I can randomly blare music when the girl takes him out for walks and today of all days ... they're already listening to sh!t explode.
I'm not a bad neighbor, I'm an audioholic.
The back needs the same nosing and then both need a finish. That's just stain on Cherry. Maybe a little routering but here's the thing: It looks better than okay and it's in and now that I've got Sheryl Crow's
Rockin' The Globe Live playing some other stuff that I'm pretty familiar with ... coupled with the fact that now it's about a million pounds, it's gonna stay put for a while. I can tell by the way the bass comes in at the beginning of track 4 and it's actually her playing the bass guitar on that one ... well, it's just lovely. I'll eventually get around to playing The Wall Flower's One Headlight and Wycliffe Jean's Juantalamera to further check for detail and brute force but I don't have any doubt's about capability.
I think the placement is perfect. It all sounds like all the sound is coming from the same place. Center to center the two sub drivers are 28" apart. Room response seems pretty even. It was good with the other enclosure as well from the same spot.
I dunno ... I like it ... lot. My g/f? From down the building hallway on her way back from walking the dog? Not so much. "I could hear that from down the hallway. Turn that down. Waddaya think, you're 15?" Now I'm gonna ask her, "yeah, but how did it sound?"
Yep, The Chili Peppers belting out Raindance Maggie upwards of 90 db was effortless. I thought with Sheryl Crow that it just seemed like the bass guitar was a little more realistic, showing a little more detail but The Chilis have that freak of nature, Flea, for a bass guitarist. There's more detail. This is back on the rec'r's bass management. Either bass management system sounds great. Once I find my Wallflowers CD, I'll be able to tell one last thing I know to look for regarding the ability to show detail down low.
Finish wise it's presentable ... for an amateur (and it's still not done). Sound wise, this worked out. Looks wise, I guess I'm proud of it if I'm posting pics of it. But back to sound wise, I wonder how long it will be before this is the new normal. Right now I'm either hyper aware of anything that even remotely resembles bass or simply delighted by the new and improved bass.
Bottom line is that I gotta go hang out with the girl and the dog, plan food, check the weather etc. Me and the sub are going to be thinking about each other though. It's tough walking away from it but I'm hungry.
