2. home-theater
  3. 1138497922

Setting up a subwoofer

I have a James EMB-1200 with B&W 803s as my main speakers and an AVM-20 processor. When I set the subwoofer level using pink noise from the AVM, I must set the gain on the subwoofer to near max volume (the james has a 1200 amp) to get a consistent read on my Radio Shack SPL between the 803s and the sub.

When I play bass-intensive soundtracks like Lord of the Rings or Star Wars, the bass is overwhelming and the subwoofer gets close to bottoming out.

My question, is there a more accurate way to set the subwoofer level, or is it that movies like Star Wars and LOTR are just over-the-top bass intensive?

Thanks!
rfjaudio
lej1447
117 posts
 
Ha ha ha. That is pretty funny, Uncertainsmile. I like your response. I think that I could feel what you wrote. When I posted my answer, I knew that Rfjaudio had a pretty good sub, as he posted another thread regarding the calibration for his James EMB-1200. However, I posted my answer b/c he was asking for movie clips, not better sub. Phew. Good luck w/ your quest on both threads, Rfjaudio.
lej1447
117 posts
 
Sorry Uncertainsmile for the wrong post. I had multiple windows opened w/ a bottle of Heineken in my hand at 12AM. Thus, the rest is history. :> ) Now I'm sobber and reading the thread, I go, "huh?"
brewed
39 posts
 
I have an old (but effective) Mirage BP400 sub and an Anthem AVM-2 and a RatShack SPL meter. The test tone for the sub out of the Anthem measures off the scale. I set the Anthem to cross at 80 and all else flat and tune the Mirage cross/volume by ear.

After all, are you gonna tell your friends "This bass is GREAT!!! Just look at my meter....

Play with the other placement for sure.

And I too, am intrigued by the Velodyne EQ system but I'm not gonna throw $800 at a $1000 sub.

And I'm glad Lej1447 is now "sobber".
More to discover