testing a woofer

[weltersys]

Originally Posted by Professor smith

that could be the case. So to test that, I could take a long break from using the subwoofer and come back to it to see what I hear?

A long break without using the subwoofer will subjectively make it seem louder and deeper when you use it again.

Listening to something with a lower response (like headphones) then listening to your sub may subjectively make it seem "weak".

Harmonics of bass notes go quite high, I can hear "bass" from my 1" laptop speakers, 3" TV speakers, 18" PA subs, and 12" studio sub, though the F3 ranges from 180 Hz to 18 Hz, a decade of range. Each speaker drops almost an octave lower than the previous, but bass instruments are audible even on the laptop speakers. That said, even a 1/3 octave LF extension seems rather apparent to me, given the right source material.

If you want an objective test, you can measure test tones with a dB meter, RTA etc.

[Antoinel]

Temperature and/or humidity changes in the room?

[weltersys]

Originally Posted by Antoinel

Temperature and/or humidity changes in the room?

Do very little in a normal domestic listening environment.

Humidity primarily affects high frequencies, but temperature differences are minimal, I have tested speakers in below freezing temperature and at above body temperature and found little, if any difference.

The gradients caused by differing temperatures in an outdoor environment over a long distance can have marked effect.

Art

[Veronica]

Im confused by what you had and did as some others were.

But here is my approach to testing a driver:

Professionals use calibrated mics and RTA/Spectrum Analyzer or LMS software and a capture card.
Then you just need a test tone, I use Adobe Audition to generate tones, (LMS has tones built in) but a tone generator of some type will get the job done.

If you have pro-level test equipment and software you probably would not have asked. But if you did: then you would take either an LMS or FFT measurement(s) with mic placement at 1meter to get the frequency response levels. Compare both setups to see what changes and then not only will you know the difference but likely be able to determine why your perception is changed.

How to do it on a budget: if you have a smart phone download a free RTA, spectrum analyzer and FFT app and find some test tones online. There are also some good free PC/MAC based software that work with your mic and sound card. No it isn't perfectly accurate, but it will be darn close/good enough to get a rough idea. We are not creating manufacturer reference curves here, just need a ball park idea of what changed.
What the test software or hardware tells us is a visual representation of what we are hearing. A picture is worth 1000 words? Well real time level and spectrum metering is worth exponentially more.

[NEO Dan]

Originally Posted by Veronica

There are also some good free PC/MAC based software that work with your mic and sound card.

Hello
Check out Room EQ Wizard at the "Shack".
REW - Room EQ Wizard Home Page

You will have to join the forum to access the REW download, but it's worth it = FREE.