SVS 25-31 pci Custom 20Hz tuning upon request

[GlocksRock]

Your house will be fine, and you will love the bass.

 

[patnshan]

Sorry I missed this, but looks like you made your decision. I was in a similar boat, my wife wouldn't go for the taller sub. So, without her knowing, I bought the 25-31+ instead and have it tuned down to 20. I like it that way!
I am sure you'll be happy with your SVS!
Pat

 

[tomd51]

Let us know what you think once you get it, set it up, calibrate it w/an SPL meter, then put it through it's paces... -TD

 

[Wheatenterrier]

It will arrive on Thursday, and I'm giddy. I also don't know how to set it up or calibrate it. I saw on here somewhere a radioshack spl meter was commonly used. I'll stop by and pick one up. Maybe you folks could point me in the right direction on how to calibrate it and such. Thanks for all the help.

 

[tomd51]

Using An SPL Meter and Test Tones...

Once you have the SPL meter, it's pretty simple. Most receiver or pre-pro manuals have instructions for using the internal test tones. If for some reason your receiver/pre-pro does not have internal test tones, you can use a test disc or download test tones online in order to match the level output of all your speakers.

First, you'll want to sit in the middle or 'sweet spot' of your listening area (usually the HT enthusiast's/fanatic's seat ). Next, set your SPL meter to the 'C' weighting and the 'response' setting to 'slow'. Once you've set these two, turn the dial to '70' or '80' and then run the test tones. The objective is to increase or decrease each channel level until it reads as close to '75' dB as possible with the test tones running. Be aware that when most test tones are produced on the receiver or pre/pro, they tend to be very loud and are typically run at reference levels, so brace yourself for the 'holy sh*t that's loud!' reaction if you've never used them before.

After you've set the level for each channel evenly and done some listening, if you find you prefer a bit more dialog, bass or output from your surrounds, increase (or decrease, if preferred) those particular channel levels a bit more to suit your own taste. I'd suggest listening will all channels set to an equal level for a bit to get used to it. Some folks have a tendency to want to crank the bass way louder than it should be. Not saying you shouldn't like more prominent bass, just to consider trying the even channel levels for a day or two before you do increase any channels.

By level matching all the channels, you should have a more even response from your sound field and it should be more uniform in it's presentation.

Any questions, let us know... -TD

 

[Wheatenterrier]

Thanks for helping me out!

Does that include trying to get the sub to 75db as well to match? Or is that left out because it's hooked up to the LFE?

I picked the spl meter from radio schwack and I saw that it only reads down to 32 HRZ. Is that an issue?

I thought the spl meter was to calibrate the woofer, but now I see how I can use it to calibrate the 7 speaker channels as well. Whats the strategy to calibrate the woofer specifically?

 

[tomd51]

Just to reiterate what I mentioned earlier, the objective behind using an SPL meter is to have all channels properly calibrated to the same level. This includes all speakers and subwoofer/s involved (2.0, 2.1, 5.1, 7.1, etc.).

If you are referring to EQing your sub, that is something different. For that, you'd need something such as a Behringer Feedback Destroyer DSP1124P, Ultracurve Pro DEQ2496, Velodyne SMS-1 or Elemental Design eQ.2. These can help flatten the in-room response for bass, again improving the balance of the sound field helping it to be more uniform in presentation for movies and music... -TD

 

[Alex at SVS]

Thanks for helping me out!

Does that include trying to get the sub to 75db as well to match? Or is that left out because it's hooked up to the LFE?

I picked the spl meter from radio schwack and I saw that it only reads down to 32 HRZ. Is that an issue?

I thought the spl meter was to calibrate the woofer, but now I see how I can use it to calibrate the 7 speaker channels as well. Whats the strategy to calibrate the woofer specifically?

If I understood your question right, you're looking for how to adjust the overall level correctly for the sub and if it's any different than setting it for the main speakers. Someone please confirm this but I'm pretty certain that it's a bit different since the Radio Shack SPL meter doesn't pick up bass as well as it does mid/high level frequencies. So to compensate simply adjust the sub 2-3 dB "hot" based on what the meter says and you'll have a flat response.

 

[TLS Guy]

Well, they recommended that with a room my size they would not reccomend tuning the 25-31 any lower. I still want to tune it to 22hrz, because even though my room is large (30x15x8) I don't see myself listening to it super loud, I would rather have depth than output.

I would ask them which tuning has the smoothest frequency response. You will notice no difference in depth of bass between 25 or 20 Hz. My guess is that the standard tuning is the optimal tuning. I bet when it is tuned lower the ripple is increased above tuning, as that is what usually happens. That will make for potential problems. An optimal tuning with the smoothest frequency response is always preferable to the lowest F3 possible.