Subwoofer boom is too much for me...
Could I tone down the boom on my subwoofer by plugging the port with something like a washcloth? Have you ever tried this and had success?
Thanks for your thoughts.
This is wrong. A Sub is an enhancement to a two channel setup. It makes up for difficiencies in bass, dynamics, and clarity. I think they are especially useful for a lower power, reciever-centralized system: where the owner has no desire to put up extra money for higher-end seperates. |
A good quality and well set up sub should always enhance a two channel system's sound. My small towers are nearly flat to the low 30s and an REL Britannia B1 sub 'opened' up the room and subtlety made the lowest bass a solid musical foundation. I've since move to four good quality subs in a distributed bass array in the 16 x 21 x 10 room and you'll never know where they are; they are so low. With a bit of room bass correction it works quite well. I still need to high-pass mains for better sound and dynamics by relieving them of the low bass load. My bad so far... As for the 'boom', I'd sure try a sock, and positioning, and crossover frequency and level. I always had better success passing very low (30-40s) and using a tad more volume. It depends on the mains. |
@mbmi - Who hurt you?? 😁 A well set up subwoofer, with most speakers, is glorious. The issue is and always will be how hard it is to get there. For many 2 speakers is the way to keep things simple and well performing. |
@mikeydee If you go to a jazz club and hear a stand-up bass, it's clear, but not boomy. Same with the double basses in an orchestra. The low notes resonate, but they don't bowl you over. Wether plucked or bowed the open E of a double bass is around 41HZ with most notes falling between 50-200HZ, so generally an easy task for most quality full range speakers. The challenge is to also get the lower frequencies of their sub harmonics as well as the lower frequencies of organ peddle and synthesizer which are deep and resonate - usually not whoofy or boomy. In general, it's the low level sub-harmonic frequencies that adds the fullness and richness we feel at live performance and why a good, well integrated sub can add so much to a system. |
IMHO, @fastninja12 has provides the most useful insights. Sometimes, the source of dissatisfaction is too high of a crossover point for the subwoofer. Here’s something to try:
1. Determine the manufacturers -3 dB point of your primary speakers 2. Multiply that frequency by 0.7 3. Use that frequency as the crossover frequency of your sub(s) 4. Increase the gain on the sub until it just becomes noticeable 5. Tick the gain down a notch
That means if your primary speakers have a -3 dB point at 62 Hz, try crossing over your sub(s) at 44 Hz. It seems low, but low is good. If this works, problem solved. If it doesn’t, it was a free attempted solution.
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