Ways to optimize subwoofer via receiver (Denon)

[MinusTheBear]

Besides calibrating the speakers and setting the crossover, phase, gain on sub and SW gain on the receiver are there any other settings on the Denon receivers that I can tinker with that would have an impact on the performance of the sub. My connection is through the subwoofer pre out using BJC sub cable, speakers are set to small, LFE Norm, crossover 80.

 

[tomd51]

There's lots you can do outside of the receiver, but there are a limited amount of thinks you can do in the receiver sub configuration and on the sub amp itself.

Is there something in particular you're trying to achieve other than just properly configuring your sub w/the Denon? -TD

 

[MinusTheBear]

Well mostly it is an input sensitivity issue and the sub needs a good kick start form the receivers SW gain to get it going. SW gain I think ranges from -12 - 12. Would there be any problem running the SW gain on the receiver anywhere between +8 to +12 with volume on sub between half and 8 o-clock. I am curious if there are any other settings that could help this.

 

[Exit]

It is outside the receiver but you can get a parametric equalizer, SPL meter and test tone disc and make corrections to get a smoother frrequency response curve. If that interests you there are several options from basic manual control to largely automated real time feedback systems.

 

[tomd51]

What Denon and subwoofer are you using? Is this using a specific listening mode (2 ch. stereo, Dolby PL II, direct, etc) or is it across all modes?

I've seen some other threads here that sound similar to this issue and it might help to know some of this information above to diagnose the problem... -TD

 

[MinusTheBear]

What Denon and subwoofer are you using? Is this using a specific listening mode (2 ch. stereo, Dolby PL II, direct, etc) or is it across all modes?

I've seen some other threads here that sound similar to this issue and it might help to know some of this information above to diagnose the problem... -TD

I have an AV123 x-sub and it is hooked up to a Denon avr 688. It is across all modes.

 

[jcPanny]

Sub config.

The location of your sub will have the biggest effect on its interaction with the room and its performance. It sounds like you have the crossover, speaker size, and level settings calibrated appropriately.

 

[tomd51]

You mention earlier "it is an input sensitivity issue and the sub needs a good kick start form the receivers SW gain to get it going.". Are you saying that the sub doesn't kick in unless you're at a higher listening level (possibly due to an 'auto on' setting) or is it the fact that you don't get much output from your sub unless you raise the level on your receiver fairly high?

There isn't an issue raising the input level on your receiver as high as you'd like, it's only outputting a signal, the subwoofer's amp is the one that's providing the power. Have you done calibration using the 'auto setup' mic (if this model has it) or using a SPL meter? If you have, several folks prefer setting their sub hotter than the rest of their speakers, often 6+ dB.

If you've done the calibration as desribed, have the sub level set fairly high on your receiver and have the crossover defeated or set above 80Hz on the sub amp itself, it could be a room issue as jcPanny mentioned. Often depending upon it's location, a sub can sound better in one location than in others due to nulls and peaks in the room.

One last question, do you have the dynamic range compression (D. COMP) setting to off? If not, you may want to do so as it can greatly reduce the output ... -TD

 

[MinusTheBear]

You mention earlier "it is an input sensitivity issue and the sub needs a good kick start form the receivers SW gain to get it going.". Are you saying that the sub doesn't kick in unless you're at a higher listening level (possibly due to an 'auto on' setting) or is it the fact that you don't get much output from your sub unless you raise the level on your receiver fairly high?

There isn't an issue raising the input level on your receiver as high as you'd like, it's only outputting a signal, the subwoofer's amp is the one that's providing the power. Have you done calibration using the 'auto setup' mic (if this model has it) or using a SPL meter? If you have, several folks prefer setting their sub hotter than the rest of their speakers, often 6+ dB.

If you've done the calibration as desribed, have the sub level set fairly high on your receiver and have the crossover defeated or set above 80Hz on the sub amp itself, it could be a room issue as jcPanny mentioned. Often depending upon it's location, a sub can sound better in one location than in others due to nulls and peaks in the room.

One last question, do you have the dynamic range compression (D. COMP) setting to off? If not, you may want to do so as it can greatly reduce the output ... -TD

Yes I did calibration through the Audesssy auto setup with the mic that was included with the amp. My room is fairly small and has a slanted ceiling. As long as the SW gain on the receiver is set high for example +8 to +12 then I get good response from the sub. Dynamic compression is set to off.
Would there be a problem running the SW gain at +8 or +10 even +12

 

[tomd51]

It shouldn't be a problem, but out of curiosity, where do you have the level set for the X-sub?

If it's more than halfway, it may not be enough output for the room your using it in or it may need to be relocated, if possible... -TD

 

[MinusTheBear]

It shouldn't be a problem, but out of curiosity, where do you have the level set for the X-sub?

If it's more than halfway, it may not be enough output for the room your using it in or it may need to be relocated, if possible... -TD

With the SW gain on the receiver at +12 then at half gain on the x-sub if the SW gain on the receiver is at +8 then 8-9 o-clock on the x-sub.

 

[tomd51]

Fyi...

I'd stick w/the first scenario you describe above if that will work for you. It does sound as though this sub may either not be in the best room placement or may not be large enough for the levels you require in that particular size room. How big is it?

Not sure if you've ever read Gene's article 'Crawling for Bass', but there's good suggestions for improving bass response based on your subwoofer location... -TD

 

[MinusTheBear]

First off i would like to say thanks for the time you put into helping me today. My room is 11.5ft X 11.5ft approx...it is a small room and I cannot play around to much with placement with all the other stuff I have in there right now. The x-sub is 1 ft to the left of the right speaker...i have no other choice but to put it there and there is a slanted ceiling right above it. The x-sub manual says corner placement is optimal but not plausible for this room. The only choice is rear corner placement.

 

[tomd51]

NP, glad to help where I can.

That sub should do pretty well in that room, though it's not going to be a chest pounder at that size, so hopefully that's not what you were expecting. Also if you've got a vaulted ceiling, that will also affect the x-sub's SPL.

Corner placement will give you stronger output using the natural boundaries of being corner-loaded, but sometimes that doesn't necessarily give you the smoothest bass and can even make it sound bloated.

I'm sure it will do fine for you, just keep in mind how big it is and don't expect too much from it. I'd rather have some bass that sounds smooth and well-rounded as opposed to lots of bloated or uneven bass... -TD

 

[MinusTheBear]

NP, glad to help where I can.

That sub should do pretty well in that room, though it's not going to be a chest pounder at that size, so hopefully that's not what you were expecting. Also if you've got a vaulted ceiling, that will also affect the x-sub's SPL.

Corner placement will give you stronger output using the natural boundaries of being corner-loaded, but sometimes that doesn't necessarily give you the smoothest bass and can even make it sound bloated.

I'm sure it will do fine for you, just keep in mind how big it is and don't expect too much from it. I'd rather have some bass that sounds smooth and well-rounded as opposed to lots of bloated or uneven bass... -TD

The x-sub puts out some nice accurate bass and is not boomy at all and has added a nice overall sound to my system. I am not expecting this sub to rattle the floors. I am very happy with this sub just looking for maybe a little more headroom if I can get it.

 

[pmac]

I have a denon, and it seemed to take me forever to get the sub output settings correct. I found obscure settings in the gui eventually because I figured I was going to go through it top to bottom.
The remote does it have a center button with 4 direction buttons> If so press it in and scroll down to the Sub and bum it up to start. Then set LFE+ Main and turn the amp up to 80-90 percent dont be shy, just cautious.
Just my humble thoughts