Subwoofer Calibration Question

[satraini]

Should the SPL of the subwoofer channel on a surround system measure to the same dB as the other 5 channels? I have recalibrated my system using an SPL meter and the current bass setting seems way too low (for movies). I still have the 0.1 channel set up at 3-5 dB higher (~80dB) than the other 5.0 channels (~75dB). To acheive this, my preamp 0.1 channel setting is at -10 vs. being at +3 before calibration. I actually like the reduced effect on music (so far). Movies...not so much. Have I been over bassed in the past? The SPL meter was pegged when the pink noise generator first initiated the 0.1 pink noise until I backed off to around -8.

Thanks in advance.

 

[nibhaz]

Matter of choice, but options...

When it comes to setting the level for your subwoofer it really comes down to personal taste. However if you like the lower levels for music and higher levels for movies you may have some options built into your AVR that can manage all of this for you. Many modern receivers provided the option to adjust the base level for different types of incoming signals. For instance my onkyo allows me to raise the LFE of DD and DTS signals independently of PCM signals. That means I set my subwoofer level to taste for PCM and then when my receiver detects a DD or DTS signal it automatically raises the level of the LFE. The only problem with this method is that if you listen to multi-channel music that is recorded in DD or DTS you may need to make more adjustments.

 

[Doug917]

I always run my subwoofer a little bit hot (5db to 8db above the other channels). I like the extra oomph! You don't want it to totally wash out the other channels though. Use your ears and see what sounds the best to you.

 

[satraini]

Thanks for the responses. I went home and f#ck*d with it and have the "master" setting all at an even SPL. I then upped the Discrete (DD and DTS) signals 0.1 channel for a +5 db (~80dB). Now I can listen to music with lesser bass, which I recently found to enjoy and still shake the house with with the movies.

Thanks!