Calibrating Sub using Audyssey 2EQ & SPL meter

[bwpotter]

I have an Onkyo TX-NR609 controller and I'm trying to calibrate my HSU STF-2 sub, which is very boomy using the Audyssey 2EQ calibration.

I checked the frequency response using a SPL meter and test tones, which confirmed my ears. Here is the measured output:

25 Hz: 87db
40 Hz: 87db
63 Hz: 79db
100 Hz: 62db

When I tried to compensate using the Onkyo's Equalizer Settings, there was no affect. After some research, I discovered that the receiver's Equalizer settings are ignored when Audyssey is enabled.

When I disable Audyssey, the bass response can be adjusted and is much tighter and flat but I lose the Audyssey calibration in the middle and upper tones.

Is there a way to enable Audssey and still take advantage of the Equalizer Settings for the sub-woofer or do I have to manually adjust all the speakers?

Thanks....

 

[baniels]

Is there a way to enable Audssey and still take advantage of the Equalizer Settings for the sub-woofer...?

Nope. But this sounds like a great reason to get a MiniDSP.

 

[bwpotter]

Sorry, posted wrong readings and have been unable to edit my original post. Here are the non-adjusted initial measurements from the sub:

25Hz: 80db
40Hz: 88db
63Hz: 70db
100Hz: 72db

I checked the frequency response using a SPL meter and test tones, which confirmed my ears. Here is the measured output:

25 Hz: 87db
40 Hz: 87db
63 Hz: 79db
100 Hz: 62db

@baniels:

... sounds interesting. I'm pretty much a newbie to many aspects of newer home theater designs. I assume the miniDSP is a type of intermediate mixer connected between the receiver and the sub?

 

[timoteo]

Can you copy down the mid&upper frequency adjustments that auddessey sets then go into a manual mode & adjust them in there to match what auddessey had done? Then tweak the sub to the way you like?

Im not familiar with your Onkyo but that is similar to what i do in my Yamaha.

Or you can just adjust the volume on the back of the sub if its just a matter of the sub being too high.

BTW: nice sub!! & Welcome!

 

[baniels]

That's right. Sub out -> MiniDSP -> sub amp.

The miniDSP will let you perform a wide range of EQ tactics that will exist outside of and in addition to Audyssey. You can use Room EQ Wizard to take measurements of the sub, and to generate EQ parameters to send to MiniDSP to achieve the target curve.

It will give you far greater control of your subwoofer than Audyssey 2EQ can dream of. Apart from the MiniDSP hardware, it takes an investment of time and some relatively inexpensive hardware. You can use the SPL meter you have, or you can get a calibrated mic.

Here are some links for further reading.

MiniDSP

Mini DSP Thread on AVS

Room EQ Wizard

... sounds interesting. I'm pretty much a newbie to many aspects of newer home theater designs. I assume the miniDSP is a type of intermediate mixer connected between the receiver and the sub?

 

[bwpotter]

Thanks for the help and info baniels! I like the concept and it looks like a pretty elegant solution.

@timoteo
Thanks for the suggestion. Unfortunately, the Onkyo doesn't provide output of the Audyssey adjustment profiles. Wish it did!

 

[avnetguy]

Another option for sub control is the Behringer DSP1124.

Steve