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Is a subwoofer 'overkill?'

i just bought a subwoofer hereabouts. The deal want well and i hooked it up. i can certainly 'hear' it. My wife is agast.

Yes, even at the lowest settings it sounds a bit loud.

Thoughts. Should I save it for movies? Turn it off when she gets home?

Note; This is a woman who can hear changes I make when I roll my tubes, better than I can. She know even when I don't tell her.

Bummer: the wife has zero appreciation of high-end audio, but hears better than me.
unclejeff
getheleadout
144 posts
 
Assuming you're running a powered sub, connected with RCA's.

I'd suggest using Rothwell 10db attenuators, which will allow you adjust the pot on the sub to a much more optimal setting.

I use this method with my Sunfire sub and it allows for a MUCH smoother intergration with my main speakers.

It really makes a HUGE difference.
eldartford
4,262 posts
 
You may be exciting room resonances that were not evident before. If the SW does not have its own equalization circuitry try a Behringer DEQ2496. The RS meter and Rives CD will set you back about $100. For $350 or less the Behringer will do a better and much easier job of showing you what your problem is, and after that it will fix the problems, which the RS meter will not do.
ptheo
72 posts
 
Velodyne SMS-1 EQ/RTA is the way to go. You can smooth out the bass peaks/valleys and when the wife gets home, put it in night mode in which reduces output up to(user adjustable) 20%-90%!
steuspeed's avatar
steuspeed
501 posts
 
+1 on room mode excitation. Try some different locations away from corners and walls. Set your crossover on a low setting and then bring your output level up until you can detect the sub working. Women are more sensitive to low frequency then men.
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
My main speakers are good to 25 hz, so I only use the subwoofer when me and my boys want to watch some testosterone driven, explosion filled movie and rattle the windows. My wife usually goes shopping during this time. :)
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