Finally Set Up...A Subwoofer Calibrating Experience

[Woochifer]

Wooch and all,

Hooked up the laptop to the ol' system and ran the low frequency sine waves in WinAmp. Now although I can't give you a graph, I can tell you a few things.

1. There seems to be significant output from 75 to 90 Hz
2. Output immediately above 90 Hz drops off a bit
3. Some of the ceiling panels produce audible vibrations between 80 and 90 Hz and 40 and 45 Hz
4. 31 Hz rattles the insides of the TV like it ain't a joke.
5. 35 Hz rattles some of the ducts
6. the lowest frequency that moved the cones was 15 Hz.

I guess the next step is to do this all over again with the proper tools. I'll keep you all posted on this process.

THOB

Definitely repeat the process once you get a SPL meter. If you're getting vibrations from the TV, ceiling panels, and ducts at specific frequencies, you very well might have significant peaking at those frequencies. With that kind of peaking, a parametric EQ would help. I would also add that if you have a ported sub, it probably won't matter at all that the cones still vibrate at 15 Hz. What you actually hear depends on the tuned frequency of the port, and the actual output will decline significantly after that point regardless of what the cones are doing.

[the hand of boredom]

Definitely repeat the process once you get a SPL meter. If you're getting vibrations from the TV, ceiling panels, and ducts at specific frequencies, you very well might have significant peaking at those frequencies. With that kind of peaking, a parametric EQ would help. I would also add that if you have a ported sub, it probably won't matter at all that the cones still vibrate at 15 Hz. What you actually hear depends on the tuned frequency of the port, and the actual output will decline significantly after that point regardless of what the cones are doing.

OK, but what about if the subs are sealed enclosures, as in the Servo 15?

As far as parametric EQs go, I've looked at the Rane products, Symetrix and Behringer. Those seem to be the most popular at a reasonable price.

THOB

[Woochifer]

OK, but what about if the subs are sealed enclosures, as in the Servo 15?

As far as parametric EQs go, I've looked at the Rane products, Symetrix and Behringer. Those seem to be the most popular at a reasonable price.

THOB

With a sealed enclosure, the dropoff will be a lot less steep than with a ported enclosure. The tradeoff is that the dropoff begins sooner, whereas a ported enclosure (if designed right) will have a more even response and higher SPL down to the tuned port frequency, but the dropoff is a lot steeper. Some people have argued that the steep dropoff makes the lows sound less natural, which is why sealed subs are often referred to as "more musical" sounding than ported subs.

The Behringer is the most oft mentioned EQ on this board at least because it's the least expensive ($120 from Musician's Friend). I use it and can tell you that there's a very steep learning curve because it was not designed for home entertainment use. Rather it was designed as a feedback reducer for live concert sound rigs, the parametric EQ is more of a secondary function. The Rane (at least from appearances) is a lot simpler to use because it was designed solely as a parametric equalizer, however because it is an analog model with manual switches, it does cost more. The Behringer is a digital model, and people who've tried the Behringer in the midrange and highs say that it creates audible noise and colors the sound. But, because those shortcomings do not affect the low frequencies, even users who are otherwise analog purists will still recommend the Behringer for subwoofer equalizing.

[the hand of boredom]

With a sealed enclosure, the dropoff will be a lot less steep than with a ported enclosure. The tradeoff is that the dropoff begins sooner, whereas a ported enclosure (if designed right) will have a more even response and higher SPL down to the tuned port frequency, but the dropoff is a lot steeper. Some people have argued that the steep dropoff makes the lows sound less natural, which is why sealed subs are often referred to as "more musical" sounding than ported subs.

The Behringer is the most oft mentioned EQ on this board at least because it's the least expensive ($120 from Musician's Friend). I use it and can tell you that there's a very steep learning curve because it was not designed for home entertainment use. Rather it was designed as a feedback reducer for live concert sound rigs, the parametric EQ is more of a secondary function. The Rane (at least from appearances) is a lot simpler to use because it was designed solely as a parametric equalizer, however because it is an analog model with manual switches, it does cost more. The Behringer is a digital model, and people who've tried the Behringer in the midrange and highs say that it creates audible noise and colors the sound. But, because those shortcomings do not affect the low frequencies, even users who are otherwise analog purists will still recommend the Behringer for subwoofer equalizing.

Re: port v. sealed

That is cool information.

Re: EQs

Hopefully very soon I'll be able to get one. Analog is fine with me. The more buttons and knobs, the better I guess.

I've got a new thread here in the HT board. Can you figure that problem out?

THOB