Bass Issues

1. I used the Vandersteen method to position my speakers. It is available on their web site. You basically divide the distance from the rear wall and side wall by prime numbers. 3,5,7 etc. You can use these results to set your speakers to work around your room limitations. You will need to find the center of your speakers to measure these distances.   I would use the port plugs in their default if that is such a thing to start with. 

2. Multiple subs will help with bass boom or peaks and nulls. At least two will solve some of your problem. The DBA is a great solution if you have $$$ and room.  You could get another of the one you have and notice great improvement.  In my case they are between my speakers firing toward the front wall.  Others recommend having them near your listening position, so you will need some longer cables??

3. Room treatments as much as you can work into the decor. I used GIK and was surprised that all the bass traps, diffusers and first reflection panels are bass traps as well. This not only helps your bass but will improve imaging and soundstage.  Cost was about $1500 for me. 

4. You should have volume adjustment on your sub and not need an external crossover.

Your problem isn’t as "bad" as you think. I my situation I thought I already had good bass, but afterwards I could hear much more detail in the bass notes which surprised me. I did not go to the effort of using a mike and program.  i figured I would be forever tweeking.

I agree. I'll get it figured out. I'll read up on the Vandersteen method. Thanks. I can get another sub. I have room but my models grill has been changed/discontinued and can't purchase just a grill. I'm more than a little anal about things. I do weekly searches for an identical used one.

It’s the sub that’s boomy and most likely not the speakers. Still don’t understand why people use subs in a stereo 2 channel set up. Maybe in a home theater, but no way would I consider one in my 2 channel dedicated set up. My tannoys produce plenty of bass as is. To me, the use of a sub to compensate for lack of bass is weird. I’d just buy a pair of speakers that does bass well. Jmo...

Hello audioguy85,

     I’m not advocating 2 subs, as in one sub for left and one for right, for brian-holmes 2 ch system. All bass below about 80 Hz cannot be localized (we cannot tell specifically where it’s coming from) and is perceived as mono.
     I’m advocating the OP use 2 subs in his room with both subs operating in mono and optimally positioned in his room, and in relation to his listening seat, via following the ’sub crawl’ positioning method. The reason I’m suggesting that he use 2 subs running in mono in his 2-ch system is the following:

1. Positioning each using the ’sub crawl’ method will ensure there are no standing bass sound waves, which are heard as bass over emphasis (a peak), bass under emphasis (a null) or the absence of bass (a cancellation), at his designated listening seat.
2. He will perceive the bass, even in mono, as powerful, solid, fast, smooth, dynamic, detailed, with a sense of ease, that is natural and seamlessly integrated with his main speakers.
3. Bass is cumulative in a room and utilizing 2 subs means the output capacity is doubled, the bass will be as powerful and dynamic as the source material calls for and there’s minimal distortion and a sense of ease since each sub is operating well within its limits.
4. Although each sub is operating in summed l+r mono, the bass will still be perceived as a form of stereo bass since the subs are reproducing the fundamental bass tones below 80 Hz, that cannot be localized and are in summed mono, but the main l+r speakers are reproducing the harmonics or overtones of the fundamental bass tones above 80 Hz, that can be localized and are in stereo, Our brains are able to associate the mono fundamental bass tones with the stereo bass harmonics or overtones of the fundamental tones and, thereby, localize the fundamental mono bass tones under 80 Hz. This process allows the proper perception of deep bass instruments within the stereo sound stage illusion. For example, deep drums are perceived as being located in the rear center of the sound stage and an upright bass is located at the front left of the sound stage.
5. The stereo soundstage illusion is enhanced, being perceived as wider, deeper, more realistic and 3 dimensional.

     These are the benefits of utilizing multiple subs, reproducing summed l+r mono bass, in a 2-ch system. Two subs will provide these benefits at a single designated listening position and 3-4 subs will provide these benefits throughout the entire room, which is useful if multiple seating positions exist in the room.

Tim