Directional Bass?

[-Matt-]

Denon AVRs with multiple individual subwoofer outputs (AVR-A1H, AVR-X6800H etc) can be configured for directional bass.

Here is a snapshot from the manual...

Do you think it is a good idea?


My personal thoughts are:

1) It might be useful if you have small satellite speakers and have to use high crossover values. In such a system a single sub might be easily localisable, however, this might be ok with 4 subs in the room corners.

2) I'm sceptical that directional bass will be beneficial if subs are crossed at 80Hz or lower.

3) How advanced is the algorithm for integrating the subs? Can it compete with MSO? What about the case when 4 subs are used in standard mode (i.e. not directional)?

 

[celroid]

There's a discussion with Todd Welti about this. Around min 30 it goes into directional bass.

 

[Oddball]

Mostly does not work for broader audience. Might work if you have 8 subs or so, not sure if evaluated that way.

Generally 4 normal LFE subs will work better than 4 directional, at least on Audy.

Subs not being EQd as a group here is the problem. Will need REW to fix that but even then, there will be different feel to LFE depending on the soundtrack. Some will have heavier directional feel and some will be more LFE centric.

 

[ppataki]

Not sure if this helps but years ago I tried using two subs (both crossed at 80Hz and placed under the front left and right speakers respectively) in stereo configuration and then in mono configuration
Measurements of the mono configuration were way better vs with the stereo (it might be related to my acoustically *really really* bad room, having 6 corners with an angled wall though)

Since then I have always used subs in mono (currently having two, one in the front between the front channels and one in the back, in the right rear corner)

 

[ZolaIII]

It helps and is intended to use with crossover (120 Hz) above the equal loudness contour knew (105 Hz) to keep the changes and lower the transition area impact. Automatic Volume or however Denon calls it it's to ISO 226. It doesn't matter how big and with extension on their own mains are purpose is different and when it's low SPL bass boost is huge. The bass is unified wave under 60 Hz, transition goes up to 90 Hz and it's directional above. Feel free to try it out and carefully set crossovers best you can.