How do I get more bass?

[Bloodstriker]

I've been trying to get that "movie theater" sound at home and so far, whatever I try, it seems like I'm lacking bottom-end.

You know how at the theater, when people speak, there's a hint of bass? Or when there are footsteps or doors slamming?

I'm not sure if the problem lies in my equipment or the room itself. Is there any way for me to figure this out?

 

[mtrycrafts]

I've been trying to get that "movie theater" sound at home and so far, whatever I try, it seems like I'm lacking bottom-end.

You know how at the theater, when people speak, there's a hint of bass? Or when there are footsteps or doors slamming?

I'm not sure if the problem lies in my equipment or the room itself. Is there any way for me to figure this out?

What is your room size?
I cannot figure out what subwoofer you have on your list.
Do you have LFE 'yes' on your speaker menu?
Have you level matched your speakers with internal test tones and an spl meter?
Added a few dB to the LFE channel?
Perhaps a way bigger sub?

 

[Bloodstriker]

Thanks for replying mtrycrafts.

The subwoofer on the list is the PSB Subsonic 5 (10"). The room is about 15' x 20. All hard woodfloors and drywall with a few windows (covered with blinds). Sorry, I wish I could describe it better.

I have the receiver set to LFE + Main, as just LFE is too little bass. I am able to hear where the subwoofer is, so that might be a starting point. I have not adjusted the volumes with an SPL Meter.

What other info will I need?

 

[LBrize]

You may want to check the polarity on the sub, reverse it and see if it helps. Also, you can check the receiver and set the crossover to a lower frequency. Try moving the sub around, there Is a perfect spot that will give you really good bass response in your seating position. I have a Boston Acoustics 7" sub, and although its not room shaking, I found a great spot for it about two weeks ago (after owning it for a year!).

 

[Davemcc]

If you can localize the subwoofer placement, you may have the crossover set to too high a frequency. Set the crossover at 80Hz for movies. You really shouldn't be able to localize the sub at that frequency. You may also want to check and see if your speaker settings are set to "small", use the LFE setting and raise the volume of the sub until you get the desired effect. Corner placement of the sub may also yield stronger in-room response, but may come with other acoustic trade-offs. Experiment with placement.

Having done all that, it may be the room after all. The cheapest, simplest way to find out is to plot a frequency response graph with test tones and an SPL meter as mtrycrafts suggests. Once you do that, you will be able to fix the room itself.

I'm not going to be the one to tell you that your 65 watt 10" sub isn't going to give you dramatic bass for movies, well...yes I am. You've got your Totems running through an Anthem MCA30. I'm not surprised this little sub can't keep up, but we'll work with what you've got. Try the above and experiment with placement. If it still isn't working out, a visit to the subwoofer forum may be in order.

 

[xboxweasel]

Those speakers are:
6 ohm (mains) @ 86dB sensitivity 120W max 29-21kHz
4 ohm (centre) @ 87.5dB sensitivity 100W max 42-20kHz

Could it be that they need a lot more power? The anthem amp should be enough at 180W (@ 8 ohms) 20-20kHz all driven at <1% THD. Approx 265W at 4 ohms. So, what does that make it at 6 ohms? About 222W?

DaveMCC you got a good point.

 

[fmw]

In my own experience bass and LFE aren't exactly the same thing. I would bet your sub probably provides decent bass for music but not the room shaking effects of movie LFE. I have an old Boston Sub/Sat 7 system like that. It plays music quite well with good bass but can't begin to handle movie LFE. My larger B&W sub, on the other hand, moves the walls and body without difficulty. I don't think it is any more complicated than that.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I've been trying to get that "movie theater" sound at home and so far, whatever I try, it seems like I'm lacking bottom-end.

You know how at the theater, when people speak, there's a hint of bass? Or when there are footsteps or doors slamming?

I'm not sure if the problem lies in my equipment or the room itself. Is there any way for me to figure this out?

If you already cranked that subwoofer up and still can't get enough bass, then you just need a SuberCube

My first subwoofer was the NHT SW2P, which only has 80-watts, and it was very powerful with the volume knob at 50%.

Wait a minute. You don't have your system at "Pure Direct" mode or similar do you? Are you just "Bypassing" the subwoofer all together? When you are just tesing the sound, you will hear from all the speakers and subwoofer, but if you use a "Bypass" mode while watching movies, it could just bypass the sub.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Just incase you cant "read between the lines" you need to upgrade that sub. Your Home Theater should be way better than a movie theater.

 

[Buckeye_Nut]

I've been trying to get that "movie theater" sound at home and so far, whatever I try, it seems like I'm lacking bottom-end.

You know how at the theater, when people speak, there's a hint of bass? Or when there are footsteps or doors slamming?

I'm not sure if the problem lies in my equipment or the room itself. Is there any way for me to figure this out?

It's a combination of both. I recommend upgrading to a larger more capable subwoofer, and treating yourself to a room upgrade. The room itself is a key component of any sound system, and you'll never get that tight clean tight sound you desire until you address the acoustic reflection issues that exist in every room. Once you treat yourself to a room upgrade, you'll find that most 'multiplex' theater audio systems sound horrible by comparison.

 

[Bloodstriker]

I have to say this board is awesome and very helpful! Thank you!

Responses:

xboxweasel:

The specs only show 8, 4, and 2 ohms. 4 ohms all driven is at 265W, so I would have to say that you're close with your guess.

AcuDefTechGuy:

The settings on the receiver are set to LFE+Main meaning the sub does get an LFE signal. I can hear the sub, it's just not the kind of "omph" that I'm expecting.

Greg Cable:

Thank you. I'm still new at this so I can't read between the lines at all. I don't understand a lot of the jargon. That's pretty much what I needed to hear.

What do you guys think of the Totem Accousting Thunder to go with my system? I tested it and it sounded great at the hi-fi store, but ... then again, so did the PSB. I'll need a sub capable of handling that room, have fast and tight bass, and be able to handle music well.

 

[Gimpy Ric]

For a room that size, call the helpful people at SVS Sound and Hsu Research. Both are internet only, but VERY WELL RESPECTED! Subs from these companies will un-earth the foundation on your house.

I didn't know which sub to get, so I just went ahead and bought the badboy from Hsu (pronounced "sue") Research, the VTF-3 HO With Turbocharger. The SVS Ultra 13 would be in the same league.

 

[s1lva16]

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

 

[zumbo]

I skimmed the thread, but here is my idea.

Set the LFE to sub only.
Set the receiver crossover to 60Hz.
Calibrate your system. You can find this information on Audioholics home page.
Make sure you are choosing the 5.1 audio track on the dvd. If you don't select this track, it's not gonna shake the house.
My sub will knock pictures off the wall. And, my room acoustics suck.
And, yes, your system should blow a theater away.

 

[mtrycrafts]

I have to say this board is awesome and very helpful! Thank you!

There are a number of good feedback to you. Firstly, as zumbo suggested, set and try the LFE only setting, no +main. But, you also need that Radio Shack analog SPL meter to level match all your channels before you go too much further. As was also suggested, if there is a crossover setting, set it to 80Hz; you don't want to have the sub localized on playback.
Not sure with your sub, but you may need to play with its signal input level and using the spl meter maybe adding 4 more dBs than the other channels.

Then, after all this, if the low frequency is not satisfying, you need better subs from the two mentioned companies, SVS or Hsu. You should also consider room treatment as it appears it is too reflective like an echo chamber.

 

[darien87]

I would also recommend upgrading your sub. In general, a 10" woofer will be able to play good and loud, but won't be able to play all that deep. Which I think is what you are looking for. I had three different 10" subs, before upgrading to my current 12" Rythmik sub, and it's night and day from my 10" to my 12". My Rythmik sub with hit 16Hz, I don't think most 10's will go below 25Hz or so.

 

[j_garcia]

"Most 10s" SVS has a 10" sub that will get down to 18Hz, and still had output at 16Hz in my room. The PB-10 is a bit of an overachiever though...for $429, you will have a hard time finding a better 10" sub.

I didn't know which sub to get, so I just went ahead and bought the badboy from Hsu (pronounced "sue") Research, the VTF-3 HO With Turbocharger.

Proper pronunciation is "shoe", per their website.

 

[Dolby CP-200]

Try building a platform to place the sub near to the ceiling WOW that adds some nice low end with Aliens “get away from her you b!tch” where the high rise door opens and slams deeply in the centre channel, so if you want some depth added to the screen fronts try placing it high up, worked for me last year as an experiment.

The platform should touch the floor, so its kinder like a tower, with a small cube sub placed on top, real easy to do, thou for the experiment I used a stool placed on the JBL 4645 and the smaller Eltax A-12 R placed upside down on the stool, wow!

 

[dem beats]

To the Original Poster(OP)

I would recomend to you without a doubt to upgrade your sub. Room treatments could help. Nay, they will help. But in the end I think it would be like adding a sharp shooter kit to a .22, but you are hunting elephants. I would recomend a larger caliber weapon... AKA a more powerfull sub. If you want earth crumbling damage get one of the dual subs from SVS or Hsu top end with a turbo. I would scan the sub portion of the forum, then if you need more help start a thread there.

Now doubt think about treating the room, but I would first get a weapon of mass destruction more suited to your needs. Then you can worry about calibrating and setting it up.

As for size matters... I have seen dual 8" sub sustems put out so much SPL and low hz, I was amazed.... It's just plain nonsense, because the box and room was done so well.. but in the end, more will always get you more so long as you then take time to tweak it.

Real advice on subs... stay away from brick and mortar stores unless you really really know what you want. I think they are more deceiving with sub output than anything else.... It always pisses me off hearing someone talk about how this sub is the best it will do this etc.... especialy when you are in a sealed room that;s 10x10 for listening. If you have a local non chain shop that has a good rep, swing over there, but rarely are they HT minded... usualy more all about "audiophile" set ups.

If you want to look local, check out for some of the DD's from velodyne, or Bag end's best offerings. Hear the best you can then work down. It will mean you spend more today, but you then are not worried about down the road a year and come down with bad upgraditis... a few bucks now saves hundrdes down the road.

 

[patnshan]

I think that before you upgrade your sub, you do what I feel to be the most important thing others have suggested above. Switch the LFE to sub only, then calibrate with an SPL meter. Those fronts you have, although nice are not bass producing speakers. IMHO, most speakers are not capable of being set to large.

If that doesn't work, get an SVS PC plus sub and you won't be disappointed

Pat