Question with Yamaha HTR 6140 and Dayton Sub 100

[Robof83]

Right now I'm in the process of trying to configure my sub to where it sounds best. At the moment, I have it about 3 feet away from the corner and the left front speaker is sitting on top of it. I have the gain to about 40% and the gain on the receiver to about 70%.

My question is, should I turn down the gain on the sub some and turn up the gain on the receiver end or vice versa. Which way is generally better for the sub?

 

[Lordoftherings]

Right now I'm in the process of trying to configure my sub to where it sounds best. At the moment, I have it about 3 feet away from the corner and the left front speaker is sitting on top of it. I have the gain to about 40% and the gain on the receiver to about 70%.

My question is, should I turn down the gain on the sub some and turn up the gain on the receiver end or vice versa. Which way is generally better for the sub?

Hi,

First, I will not put my left front speaker on top of my sub.
Two, I will try to put my sub closer to one corner, the front left or the front right.
Three, I will put some music that have some good bass content, and listen to the sub integration with your satellites. What seems to be the proper balance between your sub and main front satellites is the right choice.
You can experiment with proper sub positioning.
Four, for best spot for your sub, put it at your listening position, and crawl to the floor and listen at various positions (you on the floor).
When the sound seems loud and tight, put the sub at that position.
Also between your two front speakers could be good.

Now, the gain on your sub is at 40% (not bad at all), try 50% on the sub, that should bring the sub level on your receiver to about 60% or so.
I hope you are not talking about the master volume level on your receiver...

Need more info from you before I can proceed to the next steps.

Also you normally have to set the phase (polarity) swith to 0 degree, but it all depends where will be the final resting place of your sub.
Also, the low pass filter from your sub has to be at the "Bypass mode" or to it's maximum position.
Also, if you have a Radio Shack level meter, that will help too.
Also, you need a test disc, like Ovation from Sound & Vision or other type of audio setup disc.
And the x-over on your receiver has to be set too at the right frequency.
Where is it set now? 80hz? What are your speakers?

You have to give me the full details of how you connect the sub to your receiver and all the available adjustments and from your receiver and from your sub.
I do need that, I cannot speculate or try to guess here.

Anyway, the sub at 50% Gain shoul be good. And the sub level in your Yamaha receiver at about 60% or so, should also be fine. See what I'm coming too...
Hope this helps though to put you on the right ball park.
In the end, your ears will tell you when the bass seems fine with the rest of the frequencies (mids and highs), nothing overpowering, just the right balance.

Cheers,

Bob

 

[Robof83]

I am connecting my sub to my receiver with a single cable going from my receiver to the right input slot on the sub.

Not sure what you mean by setting the phase to 0. On the back of the sub there is a phase switch with two settings(normal and reverse). It's set to normal atm.

I'm not really sure what you mean by bypass filter either. I have a knob on the back of my sub that says frequency. The lowest setting is 80 and the highest is 180, I have it set to a little below half. Are you saying I should turn this up to max? On the receiver end, I have the crossover to 80 hz.

Also, what is a test disc and where can I get one?

 

[Lordoftherings]

I am connecting my sub to my receiver with a single cable going from my receiver to the right input slot on the sub.

Not sure what you mean by setting the phase to 0. On the back of the sub there is a phase switch with two settings(normal and reverse). It's set to normal atm.

I'm not really sure what you mean by bypass filter either. I have a knob on the back of my sub that says frequency. The lowest setting is 80 and the highest is 180, I have it set to a little below half. Are you saying I should turn this up to max? On the receiver end, I have the crossover to 80 hz.

Also, what is a test disc and where can I get one?

OK, get a Y connector (2 males at one end and 1 female RCA at the other), and plug the two male jacks the the Left and Right inputs of your subwoofer.

The phase switch on the back of your sub set at "Normal" is fine .

The Low pass filter (frequency) SHOULD BE set to it's MAXIMUM position (180hz), from the back of your subwoofer.
On the receiver end, the 80hz x-over is fine.

A test disc is a DVD that contains audio test signals for properly integrate your subwoofer level with the rest of your speakers (satellites). It's an Audio and Video setup disc, for various audio and video settings to adjust the proper video settings and audio levels for all channels, so that eveything is properly balance.
There are several, the most popular are "Video Essentials" on DVD or Blu-Ray, and "Avia" Guide to home theater by Ovation, on DVD.
There are also some others. And even some DVDs contains a THX setup mode for this.
But you do need a Radio Shack analog level meter (about $40 or so).
This is to calibrate all the levels of the speakers to the same level.

But your Yamaha receiver does perform YPAO automatic room correction, so you are in good hands right there. But for the subwoofer level, it is more tricky, that's why I propose to you to listen to some music with lots of bass content and adjust by ear. The test disc with the Rat Shack meter is to help you to get in the right ball park.

But to help you just from here (internet), I will say to put the volume on your sub from between 30 and 50% (40% should be just about dead on), and your receiver should roughly read about 50% or so for the sub level.
Use the Y connector as indicated, as it will increase the volume input and output automatically from your sub (good thing indeed).

Let me know how you're doing.

Bob