Hi all,
Thought this might be an interesting discussion.
I'd like to start with an observation: I think I can reliably hear my subwoofer's location.
Context: 2x Genelec 8030C, 1x Genelec SE7261A, driven from an RME UCX-II. I've used the built-in RoomEQ to implement a 4th order 60Hz lowpass on the AES feed to the subwoofer. The frequency response is good and flat, extending down to just below 20Hz in-room. I've also used the sub's built-in lowpass at 85Hz to absolutely minimise any content in the >100Hz range, where people tend to be able to locate sources very easily.
The subwoofer is a little off to the side from the centre. During music playback, its location is very audible to me, to a point where I'll often leave it switched off to reduce the distraction of it being "wrong".
To expand on my observation a little, test tones sound as you'd expect: they fill the room with no obvious origin, and if I walk around, the level comes and goes.
Playing time-varying signals (music playback, repeated tone bursts, etc) with only the subwoofer switched on, I can point to the source of the sound reliably. If I spin on my chair, the source seems to spin - as would be expected.
I've tried moving the sub to the other side of the TV, re-did the crossover etc etc - same result.
This has been a problem for me in the past, but I'd typically attributed the issue being harmonic distortion generated by the (lower-quality) subwoofer(s) providing me with location cues from the higher-frequency output. The SE7261A, though, is rated for low distortion, and I'm running at very moderate levels. I believe the sub is working correctly, too: no nasty noises etc, even turned up really loud. It sounds clean and flat down to VLF. I can just hear where it is.
You're welcome to tell me I'm crazy. It's a possibility I haven't yet ruled out.
If anyone else has had similar experience, or would like me to do some more testing (I could take binaural measurements to see how much of a level/phase difference there is L-R), let me know.
Thought this might be an interesting discussion.
I'd like to start with an observation: I think I can reliably hear my subwoofer's location.
Context: 2x Genelec 8030C, 1x Genelec SE7261A, driven from an RME UCX-II. I've used the built-in RoomEQ to implement a 4th order 60Hz lowpass on the AES feed to the subwoofer. The frequency response is good and flat, extending down to just below 20Hz in-room. I've also used the sub's built-in lowpass at 85Hz to absolutely minimise any content in the >100Hz range, where people tend to be able to locate sources very easily.
The subwoofer is a little off to the side from the centre. During music playback, its location is very audible to me, to a point where I'll often leave it switched off to reduce the distraction of it being "wrong".
To expand on my observation a little, test tones sound as you'd expect: they fill the room with no obvious origin, and if I walk around, the level comes and goes.
Playing time-varying signals (music playback, repeated tone bursts, etc) with only the subwoofer switched on, I can point to the source of the sound reliably. If I spin on my chair, the source seems to spin - as would be expected.
I've tried moving the sub to the other side of the TV, re-did the crossover etc etc - same result.
This has been a problem for me in the past, but I'd typically attributed the issue being harmonic distortion generated by the (lower-quality) subwoofer(s) providing me with location cues from the higher-frequency output. The SE7261A, though, is rated for low distortion, and I'm running at very moderate levels. I believe the sub is working correctly, too: no nasty noises etc, even turned up really loud. It sounds clean and flat down to VLF. I can just hear where it is.
You're welcome to tell me I'm crazy. It's a possibility I haven't yet ruled out.
If anyone else has had similar experience, or would like me to do some more testing (I could take binaural measurements to see how much of a level/phase difference there is L-R), let me know.
)
