Thread: Problems with subwoofer & New Onkyo TX-SR606

Originally Posted by jayn_j

Not a noob question at all. Those who tell you they have the answers are either lying or unwilling to look beyond their own setups. This is an art, not a science.

You are looking to find the setup which produces the cleanest bass at your location. Bass frequencies have long wavelengths, and thus room position can make a big difference, especially when reflections are taken into account.

The math: sound travels at (more or less) 1100 ft/sec. A 100 Hz signal has a wavelength of (1100 ft/sec) / (100 cycles/sec) = 11 ft/cycle. 1/2 wavelength is 6.5 ft, and a half wavelength difference in signal path is where you will get cancellation. Thus, subs should not be about 6 feet from any wall if possible.

The problem is that rooms are not featureless cubes. You have reflections off of furniture, rear walls, the other side wall, etc. It is difficult to predict where the best place to mount a sub without experimentation.

All that was basically to say try moving the sub around the room and see what sounds best. Also, try the 180 degree phase adjustment and see if it sounds better when used with your main speakers. That adjustment is there to help and it may sound better 180 degrees out of phase.

If you look around this forum, you will see threads about increasing or decreasing reflections by use of either ceramic or carpet tiles. Most have used these under downfiring subs, but the principle is the same. If you read the home theater setup books, many tell you to try and place absorbent material on the side walls halfway between you and the speakers. This will lower side reflections.

Those really are my best first level suggestions. Move the sub around a bit and see what sounds better. Try the phase switch. Try adjusting the reflections in your room. Oh, and be happy with what you come up with as there is no perfect answer.

Maybe you got that one backwards. Kind of funny you would back that statement up with a whole lot of "science". Set-up is science.

Thank you for the detailed response, I will go ahead, and try your suggestions.

Originally Posted by Paul Wozniak

Maybe you got that one backwards. Kind of funny you would back that statement up with a whole lot of "science". Set-up is science.

I can make a case for art being science where there are simply too many independent variables to be able to do a full analysis.

I gave my opinion, and labeled it as such. You are perfectly free to give your own opinion. Calling my comments "science" with the quotes really isn't productive. Care to tell me where I deviated from the teachings of the one true audio God?

Explain to me how this is "Art". Like I said , you quote "science" in your reply. Don't call this unproductive, I'm trying to understand your semantics. Also, and this is not clear in your explanation, putting absorbing materials at the site of first reflection is for taming high frequency response, resulting in clearer imaging, and eliminating the confusion from the trailing signal that arrives at your ears slightly after. This will not help with bass frequencies.

Not looking to argue or confuse anybody. Just looking for some clarification of what you are saying.

Here is a link that has more info about setting up subs than anywhere else I have ever seen:

Setting Up Your SubWoofer 101 - AVS Forum

As far as this being an ART, here is my take (I know, who asked me!)

The science is in the analysis and calibration of sound frequencies in your room.

The art is in getting those frequencies to sound the way YOU want them to in a way that pleases you.

You would be surprised how far off science can be from personal taste.

Acceptable explanation. I'll continue to use science to give me accurate placement. I've heard a lot of nice speakers that sounded terrible because people placed them wrong. Science will give you a good starting point. Art will help you fine tune the placement for maximum satisfaction. Does that satisfy everyone?

Originally Posted by Paul Wozniak

Acceptable explanation. I'll continue to use science to give me accurate placement. I've heard a lot of nice speakers that sounded terrible because people placed them wrong. Science will give you a good starting point. Art will help you fine tune the placement for maximum satisfaction. Does that satisfy everyone?

Sounds good to me! (pardon the pun)