Subwoofer: room 16 x 18.5....

Magfan says, "Measurements of subs, while a good thing doesn't cut it in a real room."

"Measurements of subs, like frequency response and max spl are near-meaningless."

"Measuring for location is more advantageous, but still a hassle. Room boundry situations make such measurements in the hands of most of us, me included, kind of dicey."

"I do NOT use test tones / meter since I'm nuts anyway and this would be just like trying to put out a fire with Gasoline. Like, how obsessive can I get?
Besides, there is an art to the science of SPL measurement and you'd probably also need someone to help you take the data. Multiple repeats, a spreadsheet and I've finally flipped. Sheesh, Science ain't easy!
I may be able to wring a little more performance out of my system if I were to hi-pass the Maggies at 60-70hz and the lo-pass the sub at maybe 50-60hz. I will probably NEVER find out, unless a few volunteers show up with a bunch of stuff and some Single Malt!"

I say, It is not difficult at all! Measurements do matter! Measurements are the reality! Doing it by a test tone and meter is a waste of time. You need a program designed for this. Fortunatly there is one, and its for FREE. It is the Room EQ Wizard from the Home Theatre Shack. All you need to do is to download the program and an a Radio Shack SPL meter. No more crawling on the ground for Magfan!
The science is easy, the results can be eye opening.
Magfan, try this and post the results here. There are lots of members who will give you plenty of opinions:) If you live anywhere near Connecticut I will bring the Scotch.

Bob

Thanks so much for the kind offer! Even though I am on the 'left' coast, feel free to drop in.
But, I must respectfully differ. One theme running thru many posts is that measurements DoNot matter. The fuse guys and some of the cable guys are good examples. Nobody has demonstrated a way to measure a fuse good/bad. So, too, the cable goes unmeasured except for the measures of resistance and Capacitance we are all familiar with...and yet! there is something more to it.
I can see myself (I know me!) going absolutely nuts with an SPL meter, test tones or even analysis software. Since in my professional life, I am a cleanroom technician for a semiconductor manufacturer, I am Very Familiar with experimental design, and the use of JUMP analysis software.
Nope, I'm going to leave it fun, just listen and treat those known defects of my room. My room, just for laughs, has 8 sides, is very unsymetrical and has an off center 12foot vaulted ceiling.
Now, if I had a certified / calibrated microphone..........

Magfan said, "One theme running thru many posts is that measurements DoNot matter. The fuse guys and some of the cable guys are good examples. Nobody has demonstrated a way to measure a fuse good/bad. So, too, the cable goes unmeasured except for the measures of resistance and Capacitance we are all familiar with...and yet! there is something more to it."

I say, measurements do matter. But thats just me ( well maybe not JUST me ), and yes, measurements do not tell the whole story! But an in room frequency resposne, RT and waterfall plots do say something! If you are a "scientist" it must count for something. This takes about 1 hour of your time if you are good setting up and downloading the program. Try it and see.
Bob

I may do so, in the future. BUT, I know my character and once I start down this path, I'll be nuts until I figure it out.
Yes, there are 2 schools of thought on this 'hobby / avocation'
1. Just listen and enjoy
2. Analyze and measure
I DO have a radioshackup SPL meter in Analogue form AND I sent away for the Rives Audio disc which has test tones calibrated to the RSmeter. The RS meter has known rolloff curve so, the tones are biased.....either that, or they provide a 'if this....add or subtract this much.......table.
I don't know! I never opened the box! I figured, 'There Be Madness'.