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Subwoofer. Great one song. Not so great the next song.

I'm not a subwoofer guy. Played around with one in my primary system (Aerial Acoustics 7Bs, Proceed 250w amp, AR LS-16 tube preamp). Big B&W powered, not sure which. Didn't think it added anything. Ditched it.


Recently got a pair of Aerial Acoustic 6Ts for my secondary system. They have no place to be but right up against the wall. Maybe a foot out. Can't decide if they sound better with a sock in the rear facing bass port or not. Its a wash. Overall they sound pretty dang good though.


But, I played around with a JL Audio e110 sub. Pretty nice unit. Put the socks back in the bass ports.

On some songs the combo with the sub just sounds stellar. On others it sounds boomy and thumpy. My audiophile hang up is taught, clear, concise bass. I do not like boomy and thumpy at all. I can get up and turn the output on the sub down a little and it sounds okay again.

But I don't want to do that every time a different song comes on.

Now, on this sub you can change crossover frequencies, phase and also a polarity switch. I don't know _anything_ about that stuff. I've got it set on the more or less default settings in the manual. The only thing I've messed with is the polarity switch and for reasons I don't understand it sounds better on 180 than 0. I have not messed with the crossover frequency and phase dials.

Is there any chance that changing any of those settings would allow me to reach a sweet spot where I don't have to change settings on the sub frequently? I may or may not keep this sub. If I can't find that sweet spot I'll let it go as alone the 6Ts don't sound bad by any measure.

Thanks,
George


n80
n80 OP
2,133 posts
 
Thanks guys. Excellent info. It sounds pretty complicated to get it just right and with the limitations on both speaker and sub placement within the room I will probably just forgo the sub.

(This set up is not my primary system and it is in a formal living room. Just the presence of 4' tall speakers was quite a concession by my wife.)

But as always, great info here on Audiogon. I continue to learn a lot.
erik_squires
16,416 posts
 
https://speakermakersjourney.blogspot.com/2020/04/how-to-not-buy-subwoofer.html
oldhvymec
5,101 posts
 
Holly cow,

Turn the FEQ, all the way down, Counter Clock Wise.

Turn the Vol, to the 12  position, 1/2 way

Turn the Phase switch to 0. ZERO

Flip the phase switch to "0" phase, not 180.

Play the Boom songs

Turn the FEQ up until the boom starts, then turn it down just a bit.

Your close.. It's hard to get perfect, and you won't.
Place the sub closer to you, it will work better for YOU?

Why? Because it will.. The further from you, the more difficult the placement,  within 6-8 feet, between the mains, and forward of the mains, or closer to the seated position.

It's VERY simple, turn three knobs, one switch, then turn one Clock Wise, and back off a tad... Sound easy to me... Enjoy...

Regards

millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
All these things that are so hard with a sub become trivially easy with four subs.
n80 OP
2,133 posts
 
Thanks guys.

@erik_squires Great article.

oldhvymec, thanks, I will do those things except I can't move the sub from where it is which is in a corner to the right of the right speaker. And my listening position is too far away but also not an option to change.

And that is another issue. The system was meant for casual listening throughout the whole room, not just me alone in one place. That alone is a challenge.

I think with my room limitations a sub is probably not going to work out. But, I've got some time so I'll continue to play with it.
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