To SVS sub owners

[mfabien]

Since installation of my PB-12 ISD (April 2005), I have always kept the Gain to slightly less than half way up (11 o'clock). Always considered having good sounding bass at that setting, allthough not shaking things around for music but quite dramatic for movies.

This morning, I increased the Gain to 2 o'clock then to 3 o'clock and discovered the sub's power (music). Then brought it back to 2 o'clock... for the time being (just wondering at what point much is too much!).

I know this is all a question of taste, but could you owners of SVS sub tell me at what point you have dialed your Gain setting to? It would help me understand when bass becomes unnaturally high in volume. For instance at what point in music does bass become too much in evidence and does not match the experience in Live format? My concern is more with music.

BTW, I have a large room... 15 x 35 x 8.

 

[mpompey]

I have a PB-10 and my gain for my ht room is about 12:00. I pretty much balanced mine via Avia setup DVD, then set it about 2dB higher via my receiver. It pretty much works well for me. But I only watch DVDs and LDs with my sub, little to no music at all.

 

[j_garcia]

100% accurate? I had my PB-10 about 12:30 (just past 12 o'clock) for ref calibration. Ref cal is different for each person due to their specific setup. When I sold it, I went to the new owner's place and we had to turn it up to about 3 o'clock to get good output in his room, which was also quite large.

What do you have the receiver's sub level adjusted to?

 

[mfabien]

Conducting some auditions with the sub's 2 o'clock Gain setting...

Ok for the Eagles' "Hotel California" and Elton John's "Candle in the Wind", but

The Diana Krall "Live In Paris" concert has Clayton playing his big Bass. Don't know how much amplification they are using for that instrument, but 2 o'clock sub setting is not pleasant. That concert requires to dial the sub down to 11 O'Clock for sure.

 

[mfabien]

100% accurate? I had my PB-10 about 12:30 (just past 12 o'clock) for ref calibration. Ref cal is different for each person due to their specific setup. When I sold it, I went to the new owner's place and we had to turn it up to about 3 o'clock to get good output in his room, which was also quite large.

What do you have the receiver's sub level adjusted to?

In the Yamaha, it's set at -5 (range is -10 to 0).

 

[j_garcia]

Have you tried setting it at 12 o'clock and adjusting using the receiver's level? The two adjustments are interactive and it may take a bit of playing with the two to find just the right point. I normally set the sub's level and leave it and use the reciever to tweak to taste on occasions when something has too much or too little bass.

 

[tomd51]

Similar to what mpompey mentioned, might be easier to set it at a 'general' level on the sub, which sounds as though it's approx. 2 o'clock. Then when needed, knock it back a few notches on your receiver for certain discs (e.g., Diana Krall "Live In Paris")... -TD

 

[tomd51]

Have you tried setting it at 12 o'clock and adjusting using the receiver's level? The two adjustments are interactive and it may take a bit of playing with the two to find just the right point. I normally set the sub's level and leave it and use the reciever to tweak to taste on occasions when something has too much or too little bass.

Damn you j, just beat me too it!!

 

[Cotizi]

I run my PB10 at 12:00 as well. It fills the room great.

 

[mfabien]

OK, will try 12 o'clock and play with Level for Diana Krall.

 

[scotty11]

PB12-ISD/2


i keep it set at 10 o'clock

my reciever is usually set at -5dB

I probably should have bought a PB12/plus single

 

[mfabien]

Made additional tests...

Thought my Yamaha LFE level was -5 but it was 0!

Changed it to -5 and set the sub Gain at 2 o'clock.

After playback of a couple of songs from Elton John and another signer, I will leave the above settings. For Diana Krall and the like, I will dial down the sub to 12 o'clock which can be done instantly rather than adjusting the LFE level.

As an additional test, I played back scenes from the movie "Flight of the Phoenix". Set the sub's Gain at 3 o'clock... just to see! Whoa what a ride. In the following photo, you see the item on the sub? Well it's a fountain full of rocks and it is quite heavy. Well within 5 minutes in the movie, the thing was about to tilt over and down from the sub.

...so change the sub's Gain back to 2 o'clock.

 

[Sheep]

OK, will try 12 o'clock and play with Level for Diana Krall.

Theres no "set" level. You sohuld play it where it sounds good.

Note: DVD's usually have more bass then CD's. You might have to turn it down in these situations.

SheepStar

 

[mfabien]

I won't hesitate to dial the Gain setting accordingly, Sheep, it is evident that adjustments are in order for some music and for movies.

 

[rollinrocker]

This thread brings up some good questions. I have my subs set at between 10 and 11 o'clock volumn and my pre-pro at -8 (on a +12 to -12 scale). I dont yet have a velodyne sms-1 but am thinking of adding one. I've read on avs forum that its recommended to cut peaks and not to boost nulls for fear of overdriving the subs amps and drivers, which makes me hesitant to take the sms-1 plunge. But, in theory anyway, wouldn't i have enough headroom to make boosts without risking damage, given the relatively low settings on the subs and processor?

 

[Duffinator]

I have the PB12-ISD and a Denon 3805. I go about adjusting my sub level a bit more systematically. First I use my SPL meter and set all the speakers to a matching level, for me it's 75 db at my listening position. I adjust the gain on the sub to match the level of the other speakers with the receiver set to 0. Once all the speakers are matched I boost the sub 4 db using the receiver output in the setup menu. This way the sub is set at a base level and any adjustments are made from my receiver. There have been other posts going over this procedure and I'm using what others have recommended. The gain position will depend on many variables and I wouldn't get hung up on where it's at as it really doesn't matter. What matters is how the sub pressurizes the room and how well it's matched with the rest of your system.

 

[mfabien]

I have the PB12-ISD and a Denon 3805. I go about adjusting my sub level a bit more systematically. First I use my SPL meter and set all the speakers to a matching level, for me it's 75 db at my listening position.

That is exactly what I did.

I adjust the gain on the sub to match the level of the other speakers with the receiver set to 0. Once all the speakers are matched I boost the sub 4 db using the receiver output in the setup menu.

Done that.

This way the sub is set at a base level and any adjustments are made from my receiver. There have been other posts going over this procedure and I'm using what others have recommended. The gain position will depend on many variables and I wouldn't get hung up on where it's at as it really doesn't matter. What matters is how the sub pressurizes the room and how well it's matched with the rest of your system.

So, what your saying is that the Gain position is relevant to the room audio qualities plus the interfacing with your sound system speakers and receiver.

As you could see in my photo, in an earlier post, my walls are wood covered and I have ceiling suspended tiles. Therefore, that enters into the equation. I guess the bottom line to this discussion is that the proper sub Gain position is in fact an art form and is influenced by the environment. I was totally against touching the Gain setting hours ago. Now I'm ready to experiment according to circumstances.

And to that end, this morning I ordered "An Organ Blaster Sampler" with Michael Murray playing The Johann Sebastian Bach Toccata and Fugue in D minor (Remember Jules Verne's organ piece played on the Nautilus?). You can see how much serious bass this Fugue is by looking at this SVS chart for this piece of music:

 

[Duffinator]

So, what your saying is that the Gain position is relevant to the room audio qualities plus the interfacing with your sound system speakers and receiver.

Exactly. Let us know what you think of the organ music.

 

[rollinrocker]

The settings i've listed give me the balanced at 75db ideal. Duff, is there a reason you boost the sub 4db at the processor, or just personal preference?

 

[Duffinator]

The settings i've listed give me the balanced at 75db ideal. Duff, is there a reason you boost the sub 4db at the processor, or just personal preference?

Just personal preference. For movies this works for me and is also fine with music. What I really find annoying though is when the bass is turned up really high. My wife's boss must run his +10 or 15 db. It's annoying and he thinks it's awesome because you can "feel" the bass. I don't need to "feel" someone opening up a bag of Doritos during a Superbowl commercial.