Correct sub volume?

[nemesis1218]

What's the correct sub volume when you have the sub hooked up to a pre-out port on the amp? Should you have it at max? Or is it a thing of personal preference or what?

 

[mouettus]

you should match it SPL-wise so the bass blends well with the speakers. You have to be able not to pinpoint where your subwoofer is. That is your main goal. Too low, you won't hear a thing; too high you'll lose some accuracy. Get a cheap SPL meter and set it that way. You won't regret it

 

[mtrycrafts]

What's the correct sub volume when you have the sub hooked up to a pre-out port on the amp? Should you have it at max? Or is it a thing of personal preference or what?

Your question may be vague here when you mean a pre-out port. Do you mean a LFE out? If not, why would you connect to a pre out port and which one?

 

[MDS]

I'm sure he meant the subwoofer pre-out on a receiver.

The sub should never be set to max. You have two controls that interact with each other - the sub volume control and the sub level in the receiver. Most manufacturers recommend you start with the volume on the sub no more than 1/4 to 1/2 way up and you should start with the sub level in the receiver at zero. The only way you can get it right though is to use an SPL meter as mentioned above. You may have to turn one control or the other up or down but you can get a good mix by trying each and checking the level with an SPL meter.

 

[agarwalro]

With good subwoofer placement, after calibration you will not be able to locate it. It will seem like all the bass is coming from every speaker but the subwoofer.

If you get a SPL meter to help you calibrate, get the Avia or Digital Video Essentials or Rives Audio CD disc to help your cause.
If you use your ears, play some bass heavy tracks, Godzilla menu is good and there are several listed here.