Hi there,
For a long time now my system has been crippled because of poor low frequency dynamics. This shouldn't be the case, after all, I own dual MFW-15 subwoofers.
I have always calibrated my system flat with my main speakers, 73-74 dB's for the subwoofers (70 dB's per subwoofer) and yet tactile sensations were almost nonexistent even as I raised the MV. Problem was, the more I raised the MV, the more compression set in, so not only could I not sense pressure sensations but there was a major stumbling block; compression and lots of it.
I never understood how this could be. I mean I have EQ'ed my system flat, I've cut several peaks which should mean that I have more available headroom to deal with dynamic loads. So if I increase my master volume the bass levels should raise accordingly. Not so.
If I increased my subwoofer level (it was -7 to 0) the bass levels got louder but the peaks got crippled again. The 15" cones were hardly moving at all. Increasing my MV and increasing the subwoofer level could not get the cones to move much.
This worried me. Until now. My gain levels on both subwoofers were extremely low but this was required to get the 70 dB reading out of both subwoofers. So I increased my gain control to 40% and dialed back my subwoofer level to read the same SPL output and the differences were amazing. Now the cones are moving !
There is now a tactile feeling that I have that is beyond words; I never felt this before. I disconnected the one subwoofer and I simply increased the gain control. Now we're talking.
And it's not as if my total SPL level was any higher during calibration; it was exactly the same level ! The only change was that I increased my gain control and reduced my subwoofer level. I can now perceive the pressure changing in my room on several bassy sequences and the compression has all but gone. As my MV is increased so does the bass levels. This did not happen before.
I tried Transformers where ironhide does the famous flip scene and I couldn't get over how deep and visceral the bass was. It swept over me, through me and pummeled me. I can't believe that it's taken me so long to figure out that my gain control settings were set too low and thus severely crippling my dynamics.
But how ? And why would it make any difference at all ? I mean, the gain control and subwoofer level effectively form the volume control of the subwoofer so why would it matter in which order I control the gain or sub level ? As long as it reaches the goal SPL output at the seats that is all that matters, right ?
Well, I have no idea what just happened and I invite anyone to please explain what happened. All I know is that I am going to be watching my entire collection again because as far as I am concerned, this is the first time I'm exploiting my subwoofers capabilities.
I'm very happy at the moment. If anyone can shed light on what happened in my system I would very much appreciate it.
Regards,