How to integrate phase of a subwoofer with mains?

A bit off-topic and this may not contribute to the thread.

I find that most musical material differ in bass frequency output. Some albums will have more bass and sound boomy even without the subwoofer integrated into the system(room acoustics affect this to a certain extent) while some albums will need the volume/crossover on the sub to be turned up considerably high above the half-way point on the volume knob of the sub in order to feel the bass. As such, I am unsure whether setting-up the sub accurately using test tones as suggested by most folks(which is supposed to be the correct method anyway) will apply to all conditions and all albums, both CD and LP format.

I don't know about others but the settings on my subwoofer are always changed periodically dictated by the particular CD or record that is played. Any insight on the proper method to professionally set up the subwoofer would be appreciated. For those who have professionally set up the sub using test tones, do the settings stay put for all listening material?

p/s: I have a Radio Shack meter and test tone CD.

Ryder, using a standardized sub set up, you are attempting to equalize the output amongst the various frequencies, thus attempting to eliminate any frequency nulls and peaks. With a neutral setting i.e. flat response, you now can hear what the recording engineer wanted you to hear.

Adjusting the sub by ear and further adjusting the output based on specific CDs is basically over riding the recording engineer’s efforts and tailoring the sound to your particular taste. Nothing wrong with this approach, but it is a colored approach. Even at fine restaurants I sometimes find the need for more salt.

I have used a little different method than described above to adjust subwoofer phase. If you have a sub where the phase is adjustable by remote you can do it with one person, if not you will need a friend to help. First place the sub in the best position possible given room arrangement and spousal compatability. There are other threads that give good advice on how to find this location. Second, run the speakers full range and adjust the subwoofer crossover above the cutoff of your mains. Subwoofer volume should be set fairly low for this. Play music that you are familiar with while listening from the main listening position. Have the friend or use the remote to adjust the subwoofer phase thru its range while listening. When you get the mains and sub in phase with each other, the leading edge to the bass notes will be heard at the same time. When they are not, it will sound like 2 separate bass notes at slightly different times. It is very similar to wiring a mid range or tweeter out of phase. It will be obvious to your ears when you get it right. Now, adjust the crossover to the setting that you want and finally adjust level.
I don't know if this method is what would normally be done, but it worked for me. I have a Velodyne DD-12 which has the SMS-1 mentioned above integral to the sub. I tried going thru the set up that the manual described, which is similar to what others have suggested above, and just couldn't get it to sound right. It now blends beautifully with my mains. The fact that it also has a digital parametric eq to help smooth out the bass due to less than optimal positioning is icing on the cake.