Subwoofer dB Level Poll

[mtrycrafts]

Mine is about +5dB w/o the Wife, and -10dB w/ the Wife.

Isn't that the truth.

 

[phlakvest]

I bounce between flat and 2-3db hot.

 

[sgtpepper9]

After reading everyone's dB level I decided to turn my down a little to about +4 dB and I have to say, the improvement in overall SQ was quite evident. Maybe I will turn it down more but I still like my sub to scare me if I get caught off guard

 

[mjhughes]

I set mine flat. Let the recordings come through as they are. Setting the sub too hot doesn't make any sense, why over emphasize any frequencies. If the bass isn't in the recording, boosting the sub won't make it appear, you are only adding distortion.

 

[Pyrrho]

After reading everyone's dB level I decided to turn my down a little to about +4 dB and I have to say, the improvement in overall SQ was quite evident. Maybe I will turn it down more but I still like my sub to scare me if I get caught off guard

I find excessive bass to be tiresome after a while. It may be impressive for a moment, but over time, it gets to be unpleasant, in my opinion. I like things to be more natural. Of course, each person should set it as it pleases them (assuming, of course, that they are not bothering the neighbors), just like tone controls and equalizers and soundfields.

 

[Swerve]

which db meters do you use to measure this? where can I get one online?

I've always just set it to what I find sounds best, but I'd like to know what flat is.

 

[phlakvest]

which db meters do you use to measure this? where can I get one online?

I've always just set it to what I find sounds best, but I'd like to know what flat is.

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103667

The SVS store has the old analog model, You can somtimes find it at your local radioshack also.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Mine is now flat too. + anything is just way too much with the new sub.

 

[Midcow2]

10 dB higher

10 dB higher

set others equal from listening point used 85 dB as reference.

used Radio Shack SPL digital meter; I like the digital $49.99

 

[MidnightSensi]

My attitude is if I want more bass I can just turn up the volume rather than just the subwoofer. Most of the punch comes from the midrange anyways, so with the subwoofer above the mains I think it tends to drone.

 

[speakerman39]

I prefer to run my subs about +3db hot most of the time. However, at times I have had to turn my Pluses down a bit when watching a BR movie such as Dark Knight. More specifically, in the scene when the hospital gets blown up, I literally thought my small ht room was going to come apart. Needless to say, it was a very scary moment.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[3db]

Movies with the wife...-3 db
Movies without the wife...+3db
Music. none. Run my towers full range.

 

[evilkat]

Sounds like wives act as effective bass traps

 

[Swerve]

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103667

The SVS store has the old analog model, You can somtimes find it at your local radioshack also.

No Radio Shacks around here anymore unfortunately. How about this one?

http://cgi.ebay.ca/Analogue-Noise-Decibel-SPL-DB-Sound-Level-Audio-Meter_W0QQitemZ130280105398QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item130280105398&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72:1215|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318

...should do the job?

 

[mtrycrafts]

No Radio Shacks around here anymore unfortunately. How about this one?

http://cgi.ebay.ca/Analogue-Noise-Decibel-SPL-DB-Sound-Level-Audio-Meter_W0QQitemZ130280105398QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item130280105398&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72:1215|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318

...should do the job?

That looks similar to the RS meter but for the color parts.
For level matching it will be fine. For calibrating and EQ work, not so fine until it can be calibrated to see what frequency it is off and by how much. The RS meter has been tested and there is a correction table floating around the net world.

by the way, the border is not that far from you. Maybe next trip to the states will lead you to RS?

 

[Swerve]

That looks similar to the RS meter but for the color parts.
For level matching it will be fine. For calibrating and EQ work, not so fine until it can be calibrated to see what frequency it is off and by how much. The RS meter has been tested and there is a correction table floating around the net world.

by the way, the border is not that far from you. Maybe next trip to the states will lead you to RS?

True- I was just in Seattle a few weeks ago, but I'll be in San Diego in March so perhaps I'll pick it up then.

 

[EYEdROP0]

I always set my level as flat as possible, that way bass will sound smooth and natrual.

You can always tell if the bass is over-emphasised by hearing the low frequency "wave" come in and totally unmatch the midbass of the mains. Its so annoying and over boomy to me. I cant hear anything except for drums and cymbals.

Some may argue that increasing +3 db wont be audible and just add more rumble. Well, I go news for you ALL. 10% to 30% of the bass you hear is resonated in your bones throughout your body. Having emphasised bass like that will indeed make things muddier than the producer intended, IMO.

I still stand by flat.

 

[annunaki]

It depends on the source material for me. Usually +3db for movies. +0-+8 depending upon the music.

 

[EYEdROP0]

Not to bring this thread back, but I might have came off as an *** with my comment. I may not know everything, but I will try to back up my statement about bass. I have read in many places that headphones dont give as much bass due to no physical rumble. Alot of times, headphones thats sound "flat" actually has a bit of emphasis on the lower end to make up for the lack of the tactile rumble. But with a good speaker or subwoofer, this emphasis shouldent be needed.

I do relise why people use bass emphasis, especially for HT. But to get the closest to what the producer intended, flat is the best IMHO.

 

[captiankirk28]

I run mine 10db to 12db hot for movies and 2db to 3db for music.