setup proceedure

[davidlzimmer]

I swear I've searched but to no avail. I'm looking for the proper way to setup the volume and crossover point of a subwoofer. I have access to a SPL meter and will use a PC for the signal source.

This is for MUSIC only. My goal is accuracy, not sensationalism.

Thanks,
David

[Cal Weldon]

Are you using a plate amp? If so adjust them to what you like. Try the phase switch also.

[mrshow4u]

You can "try" to make adjustments to the sub with instruments but, there's so many errors in measuring bass frequencies, your ears will work best.

Just some of the problems in measuring low frequencies:
The room contributes too much. You must spatially average. Be aware of cancellation and summing areas of the room.
In a room, the low-frequency response will always be "lumpy". You have to decide how you're going to integrate the peaks and valley's to get your SPL measurement.

For adjusting levels: I think your ear will know best. Trying to adjust your subwoofer's SPL level with bandwidth limited pink noise vs. the satellites larger bandwidth SPL level, will make the subwoofer too loud (to my ears).

[davidlzimmer]

Thanks Cal and mrshow4u.

My mains are pretty flat until 70. And after that, it's a gentil slope till about 30. I'm thinking crossing over at 60 and then trying to balance the levels between the two from 90 to the bottom.

I did this very quicky once and the settings ended up almost exactly as it did when using ears only. I just wanted to know if there was a standard.

Thanks
David

[mrshow4u]

..if you can steer pink noise into any channel; You can adjust the subwoofer with pink noise against one of your other channel's with pink noise.
Try to make the adjustment above 85 dB SPL. Walking around the room causes resonances and makes the meter read inaccurately. A Higher SPL reference level will make the speakers the dominant reading.
Start off measuring with the SPL meter's mic pointed at your main speakers tweeter .. on axis. Then put the noise through your woofer and adjust it for the same level as the main speaker put out.

Start there, then adjust by ear.
Walk around the room. You'll find a lot of places that aren't pretty for bass.

I don't think bass can be perfect.

Are the main speakers crossed over? I'd prefer to do that so that frequency overlap is minimized.
If you have a phase switch, I like to set it to the same phase as the mains. Some people prefer the opposite. A good kick drum recording with a "clicky" beater works well for me. I think that Mickey Hart, Planet Drum had some decent stuff to optimize the Absolute phase switch. I like bass drums, because you can get the thud and the thwack.

[davidlzimmer]

Them mains have an excellant crossover. The speakers and crossover are worth a whole thread. I got a lot of help from some wise speaker makers.

I tryed balanceing with pink noise. Not good. The subs had to be cranked way high.

I agree about the kick drum! That's one reason I want a good setup. I want to make sure the thud doesn't cover up the thwack!

I love to hear percusion and feel I hear the stick meet the head and then the drum resonates. Or a good rim shot that just jumps out at you.