A Question Regarding a Powered Sub's Volume Knob...

[PearlcorderS701]

When a powered sub is connected to an AVR via the AVR's "SUB PRE OUT" to the sub's "LFE IN," does this disable the physical volume control knob on the sub, leaving only the receiver's level control for the bass output? Or does the sub's volume knob still work -- is it still active?

 

[sholling]

It's still active in any subwoofer I've used. You'll use it to get you subwoofer volume level close to the same as your speakers and then do the fine tuning in your receiver.

 

[PearlcorderS701]

It's still active in any subwoofer I've used. You'll use it to get you subwoofer volume level close to the same as your speakers and then do the fine tuning in your receiver.

Thank you, sholling!

Can anyone else confirm?

 

[anamorphic96]

Yes it is active.

 

[PearlcorderS701]

Thanks, Anamorphic.

 

[bread29]

Sub Volume

I have a large sub in a rather large room (3960sqft), and I never turn the knob up even half-way. I usually leave it in the '11 o'clock' position and let the receiver adjust from there to match my mains.

 

[Alex2507]

Thank you, sholling!

Can anyone else confirm?

Sholling is our subwoofer volume control knob authority.
Confirmed.

I have a large sub in a rather large room (3960sqft), and I never turn the knob up even half-way. I usually leave it in the '11 o'clock' position and let the receiver adjust from there to match my mains.

I have read not to turn it past half way somewhere or other.

 

[PearlcorderS701]

I have a large sub in a rather large room (3960sqft), and I never turn the knob up even half-way. I usually leave it in the '11 o'clock' position and let the receiver adjust from there to match my mains.

I would normally say that sounds OK, but I have a highly inefficient sub that requires high gain on the knob itself as well as positive (+) decibel settings on the receiver. Plus, my sub isn't what would necessarily be called "large."

 

[PearlcorderS701]

Sholling is our subwoofer volume control knob authority.

Why?

Confirmed.

Thanks.

I have read not to turn it past half way somewhere or other.

That seems to be the rule -- or, you can bring it a bit past halfway as well, which is where I have it.

 

[njedpx3]

It is active on my SVS sub. And I agree with Sholling that that should be true of any powered sub.

I have found that by fine tuning the AVR level and the sub level you can ahieve the degree of "LOUDNESS quality" you desire. Example you don't want to set you dB gain of 11 on the AVR and then barely turn up the volume of the sub. I have found it is better to be about 1/2 to 3/4 on the sub and set the AVR to the resulting sub SPL level you desire. Usually about 0-3dB on the AVR and 1/2 way on the sub is a good place to start.

Peace and Good Rumbling Sub Sound,

Forest Man

 

[PearlcorderS701]

It is active on my SVS sub. And I agree with Sholling that that should be true of any powered sub.

I have found that by fine tuning the AVR level and the sub level you can ahieve the degree of "LOUDNESS quality" you desire. Example you don't want to set you dB gain of 11 on the AVR and then barely turn up the volume of the sub. I have found it is better to be about 1/2 to 3/4 on the sub and set the AVR to the resulting sub SPL level you desire. Usually about 0-3dB on the AVR and 1/2 way on the sub is a good place to start.

Peace and Good Rumbling Sub Sound,

Forest Man

Hey Forest,

Thanks for the thoughts. I hear what you're saying, it's just that it's been real difficult with my Polk PSW350 in that it's not that powerful or responsive of a beast as most subs -- I find I need to crank the volume knob of the sub itself to over half way (a bit) AND jack up the sub calibration level inside the AVR to at least "+3dB" or what I have it on now, which is "+4dB"...and that still doesn't quite bring the house down.

Suffice to say, a sub will be my next upgrade, if not a new AVR with more power and preouts...