Enter to Win: PB10-NSD from SVS!

[Topher]

Placement can make a huge difference.
I chose multiple subs as number two. I'll try to explain, but I can't remember the terminology. I think the output of one can fill in the dead spots of the other, which are created by the room's acoustics. Can anyone help with the proper terminology?

 

[PSU80]

I think room placement is probably the most important factor but EQ can help fine tune the response.

 

[aarond]

five full range speakers while not pratical or cost effective, would yield the best results
an EQ can help tame a room when using a sub

 

[burntaegis]

Based on my reading here and in other sources I would have to say that placement would be the biggest factor.

 

[Bryce_H]

Proper placement is my understanding of the single biggest factor is good bass in a room. I have also heard that useing multiple subs can help.

 

[cleansparks]

I think placement would be the most important factor. An auto EQ will help smooth out the response curve.

I can't speak to whether 5 fullrange speakers would be smoother as that is something I have never tried. I also haven't tried multiple subs.

 

[Christopher__BA]

response

Let's see........ the more subs, the better! Currently I only have one and another sub would make the room shake! I'm sure placement is important as well.

 

[wilkenboy]

Placement and EQ:

Placement is critical to both achieving proper in-room FR and integration with the mains as well as minimizing the ability to locate the location of the sub during listening. But you're still left with some FR dips and bumps...

That's where a MANUAL EQ comes in- just taming the bumps down to produce the frequency response curve that sounds best to you, whether that be flat with the mains or a "house curve" that rocks the sternum. Auto EQ would be great... if a target FR could be programmed in and filter gain (not cuts) could be avoided. For a lack of that, a good ol manual EQ works just fine with some button pushing and tweaking.

~Josh

 

[jcPanny]

Sub response

Sub placement and multiple subs are the two best options in the poll for achieving a flat LFE response. However, both of these options rely on an accuracte way to measure the subs response. Tools like the Velodyne SMS-1 and Onix RDES can help measure the inroom response and provide electronic manual EQ capability.

 

[brianjof]

PB10 NSD contest

Sub placement and Auto EQ would be the 2 most important issues for me. I am trying to experiment with a 2nd sub just for rear channels right now as well.

 

[chriscmore]

The most important ingrediant to a good sounding (not necessarily flat, though) bass response is the acoustics of the room itself, mostly the dimensions and their relationship to each other. This wasn't a selection.

THEN, the next most important thing is where the sub is located within the room, so that it activates the room acoustics in the most favorable manner.

The third most important thing is sophisticated room EQ, which needs to not only take response curves into account, but also analyize their modal relationship to each other, response times (e.g. RT-60), and prioritization. Flat line EQ is only a fractional alternative, and could make it worse. The best and most sophisticated room EQ is done by Lexicon, Meridian, and TacT.

Number of subs is only theoretically advantageous, as they can introduce other anomolies such as comb filtering. And they make the far more effective room EQ more difficult, as seat-to-seat response is more varied (due to comb filtering, regardless of what Dr. Toole's paper says).

The others are meaningless or detrimental.

Cheers,
Chris

 

[kono144]

Answer to the poll: Other

I do not think any of the two methods listed on the poll together will provide you the smoothest response.

However, I do think the one most important method is room placement. Below are the following methods that should be used to achieve a smooth in-room base response.

1) room placement
2) Volume setting
3) Phase setting
4) Measuring response with SPL meter
5) Eq the sub, either with external electronics or with any eq functions built into the sub amp
6) consider using acoustic bass traps

 

[jzac]

A few ways...

A few combinations i would think instead of just 2 from the list... Proper placement, good cable, SPL meter, and using a good EQ... well, if you have the money and the room, why not 2 subs to make it even and better!

 

[fw3308]

I definitely think it has to be based upon placement in the room. Unless you are building from scratch and designing everything, you have to work within the space you have.

 

[sy527x]

Poll answers...

From what I've read in posts at Audioholics, each room has a different geometry meaning the sounds characteristics are different for each. Proper bass placement is the most important aspect to good bass. I've also read that having multiple subs helps equalize the entire room.

 

[Omega Supreme]

I would say that the sub location is the most important. After that I would say getting your sub tuned in and them maybe adding an additional sub.

 

[CooLJ92]

For me, proper placement is a must. I placed the sub on my sitting area then literally crawled on the ground until I found where the bass sounded its best. I placed the sub at the location and have not looked back. I also contected my sub to a seprate Monster Cable noise filter. Bass sounded smoother with a filter. I also noticed that when I had other things on in the house (dishwasher, AC, pool) any lights that I had on did not dim when I played a DVD that had lots of low frequencies.

Thanks again Audioholics for this opportunity.

jj

 

[corysmith01]

Proper room placement. This has got to be the biggest. You may have a great sub, appropriate for the room you intend to use it, but put it in the wrong spot, or not making adjustments to ensure it's in the right spot, and it's just going to be wasted. Other factors can help, but having to pick just one thing, I'd say placement is probably at the top of the list for most important thing you can do to bring out the best in your sub.

 

[E-6]

I feel proper sub placement is essential to fully employ room acoustics and low Hz utilization--selecting the proper sub in the first place that meets your specific room dimensions and taste is first and foremost the ticket to the smoothest bass response.

 

[sjcguy]

My other explaination is the sub itself = how well it was designed.