Running the sub hot

[billy p]

What does this actually mean? I always thought this meant you'd run a few dbs over and above your mains? With my new sub this appears not to be the case.... Its situated exactly where I had my pb10 which I ran about +3 dbs over my mains with the sub gain set at 11 oclock position and the avr at +3.5dbs, but those setting now would overwhelm my room. With the new sub its set at -4dbs is this considered running it cold...jk? What setting do some of you use?

Thanks, Bill...

 

[ParadigmDawg]

+ 2 db hot for music and movies.

What does this actually mean? I always thought this meant you'd run a few dbs over and above your mains? With my new sub this appears not to be the case.... Its situated exactly where I had my pb10 which I ran about +3 dbs over my mains with the sub gain set at 11 oclock position and the avr at +3.5dbs, but those setting now would overwhelm my room. With the new sub its set at -4dbs is this considered running it cold...jk? What setting do some of you use?

Thanks, Bill...

 

[Alex2507]

It sounds like you might be referencing the numbers on the channel gain settings in your rec'r instead of the numbers on your SPL meter.
What up Billy?

Messing up basic level matching is grounds for sub revocation.
I'd hate to see that new sub get confiscated for improper use.

Are you using any equalization?

 

[SopRage]

Flat as I can get it.

 

[billy p]

Not the first time I've butchered the English language. I used a SPL metre and I calibrated everything @ 75dbs...those numbers are just the adjustment I made on the avr. Hum... I guess even with my avr at -4 the sub could still be about 3 dbs hotter than the mains using a SPL...would this be correct?

No eq yet...but I did try using a Reckhorn b2 which I've since disconnected because it kept giving me a loud burst or pop when I powered things off...FWIW.

 

[TLS Guy]

What does this actually mean? I always thought this meant you'd run a few dbs over and above your mains? With my new sub this appears not to be the case.... Its situated exactly where I had my pb10 which I ran about +3 dbs over my mains with the sub gain set at 11 oclock position and the avr at +3.5dbs, but those setting now would overwhelm my room. With the new sub its set at -4dbs is this considered running it cold...jk? What setting do some of you use?

Thanks, Bill...

It has nothing to do with volume settings. It has to do with the actual splice of sub to the rest of the system. So if it is hot there is a rise in spl as the sub takes over, if cool there is a decrease.

I hate hot subs, I like it just right.

A lot of subs end up getting set hot, because of poor diffraction compensation in the mains. That however masks one evil with another.

 

[Alex2507]

Hum... I guess even with my avr at -4 the sub could still be about 3 dbs hotter than the mains using a SPL...would this be correct?

I'm so excited to actually maybe possibly potentially be able to help that I interuped my lunch of chicken,sausage and cheese which I was eating with my fingers because I forgot my fork ... and washed my hands tyo be able to answer.

Yes.

 

[billy p]

I'm so excited to actually maybe possibly potentially be able to help that I interuped my lunch of chicken,sausage and cheese which I was eating with my fingers because I forgot my fork ... and washed my hands tyo be able to answer.

Yes.

How thoughtful of you, Alex...TLS's explaination helped me better understand what I had misunderstood before. Hah...shows you what I know.....

Ps: Your lunch sounds scrumptious, I hope you had enough time to finish it!

 

[croseiv]

Mine are flat (70 dB on the SPL meter).

 

[STRONGBADF1]

I usually run it flat...it depends on my mood. I have been known to be moody though.

 

[j_garcia]

I run mine about +2dB hot also for low level listening. When I crank it up, I turn it down.

 

[billy p]

I guess for movies I could turn it up a bit for that "wow", but for music even a couple dbs above the mains usually alters the sound.
Just wanna say thanks guys...I'm glad, I asked!

 

[MidnightSensi]

Just a clarification:

What the level is you really have to use an SPL meter (or math) for, because a sensitive subwoofer could be louder at a given voltage input than a less sensitive one at the same input / level. So on the receiver if one sub is set at -3 versus another at 0, it doesn't mean the one at -3 is -3dB less in the room... it could still be louder than the one set at 0 was depending on the sensitivity of the drive unit, the amplifier power/gain multiplier and placement/room gain.

I used to run my subwoofers hot, now I run them completely level. I don't even use the more popular curves that have the bass a bit bloated. I find the way soundtracks are now, you don't need the bass to be run hot because it is already hot in the mix.

 

[billy p]

Just a clarification:

What the level is you really have to use an SPL meter (or math) for, because a sensitive subwoofer could be louder at a given voltage input than a less sensitive one at the same input / level. So on the receiver if one sub is set at -3 versus another at 0, it doesn't mean the one at -3 is -3dB less in the room... it could still be louder than the one set at 0 was depending on the sensitivity of the drive unit, the amplifier power/gain multiplier and placement/room gain.

I used to run my subwoofers hot, now I run them completely level. I don't even use the more popular curves that have the bass a bit bloated. I find the way soundtracks are now, you don't need the bass to be run hot because it is already hot in the mix.

Yea I was not thinking along those lines. The acoustic elegance driver I'm using would appear to be much more sensitive and articulate then my old sub. Placement essentially was in the same location as my prior sub(svs pb10) the only difference after calibration there was a 7.5 db in room gain between the two. I screwed up by re-adjusting the sub to be on par with my mains not taking into account the spl reading. Needless to say it drowned out my speakers...but I've since fixed that.

 

[supervij]

Because I don't have a treated room, the needle on the SPL meter fluctuates a little when I use my receiver's test tones. For example, when the LFE tone comes up, the needle will jump up to 70 dB, stay a few moments, then jump up to 72, then back to 70, then up to 74, then back down to 70. What can I say? It's an untreated living room with far too many reflective surfaces.

Anyway, in the above example, I'll leave it at the level where it reaches 70 dB, not 72 nor 74. That way, it's level but there will be a few times when the bass will jump up a bit. Is this an acceptable method for getting sub levels correct?

cheers,
supervij

 

[billy p]

Because I don't have a treated room, the needle on the SPL meter fluctuates a little when I use my receiver's test tones. For example, when the LFE tone comes up, the needle will jump up to 70 dB, stay a few moments, then jump up to 72, then back to 70, then up to 74, then back down to 70. What can I say? It's an untreated living room with far too many reflective surfaces.

Anyway, in the above example, I'll leave it at the level where it reaches 70 dB, not 72 nor 74. That way, it's level but there will be a few times when the bass will jump up a bit. Is this an acceptable method for getting sub levels correct?

cheers,
supervij

Huh...I hope your not asking me. Btw...how are you liking the sub.... You'd think a digital one would be more accurate but I've read that's not the case. I would think if you use the same method for each that should suffice.

Regards, Bill...

 

[krzywica]

I run mine flat for movies(I used to run it hot). If I'm listening to rock I'll bump the EQ gain a good 10+ notches if I'm trying to jam out. But I tend to listen to my stuff LOUD. I watch movies and TV at close to reference levels most of the time (85db-100db).

 

[billy p]

Sounds like movies require less of a bump but it really depends on the listener or material. I usually didn't stray from my initial setting...I guess there is no perfect setting.

Thanks, Bill....

 

[krzywica]

Sounds like movies require less of a bump but it really depends on the listener or material. I usually didn't stray from my initial setting...I guess there is no perfect setting.

Thanks, Bill....

Well keep in mind movies have a dedicated LFE channel that is mastered to blend perfectly with the rest of the soundtrack. When you listen to 2 channel WITH a sub it is essentially matrixing the sub into the mix, so depending on material that you are playing back it will be hotter or cooler for the sub.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

CAN YOU HEAR ME....?

. I watch movies and TV at close to reference levels most of the time (85db-100db).