Subwoofer causing ear discomfort

[phion]

Hi,
I have had my pair of speakers (JBL L100 classic) for over 3 years and I have used them regularly without issues. I recently added a subwoofer to the mix Klipsch RP1600SW, which had good reviews and goes pretty low. The system is in my living room+open kitchen, which is rather large with high ceilings, though the listening area is smaller (I sit three meters away from the speakers that are two 2-3m apart and the sub is next to the left speaker). The cross over is set at 75Hz and sub is at mid volume. I am NOT HPF-ing the main speakers. I made measurements using Umik1 and HouseCuve and made a 10band EQ in Roon. Its most significant correction is for a pretty deep null around 63Hz. I almost always listen with rather moderate volumes: 55-65 dB(C) occasionally peaking at mid 70s. Before adding the Sub, I could listen to the system for several hours without issues, but after adding it in an hour or so I start feeling some pressure building up (especially on my left ear that's closer to the sub). It feels kind of similar to flying in an airplane, stuff and clogged, and it takes a few hours to go away. To make sure there aren't any weird resonances, I used a tone generator app and measured the range of 30-75Hz with 1Hz increments and didn't notice any unexpected spikes.

I also did a bit of research and read online that phase alignment could be an issue. Actually inverting my sub phase to 180 caused about 5-6dB increase in the level of a 65Hz test tone I was measuring, so I thought that would have been the issue, but I am still having the same problem. Any idea and suggestion for more testing or insight about the potential cause of this is appreciated.

 

[staticV3]

Its most significant correction is for a pretty deep null around 63Hz.

Correcting bass nulls using regular EQ is a bad idea.

Listening at a different position than where your measurement microphone was placed can easily turn your additive null correction into a strong bass peak, which yeah, will give you discomfort.

A much better approach is to reduce bass peaks using EQ, but use physical room treatment for nulls. Or just leave them alone.

 

[phion]

Correcting bass nulls using regular EQ is a bad idea.

Listening at a different position than where your measurement microphone was placed can easily turn your additive null correction into a strong bass peak, which yeah, will give you discomfort.

A much better approach is to reduce bass peaks using EQ, but use physical room treatment for nulls. Or just leave them alone.

That makes sense. I actually just ran HouseCurve test with my correction filters on, and it seems even if I have some 8db gain on 65Hz it stil barely moves the null up anyways.

 

[Flaesh]

after adding it in an hour or so I start feeling some pressure building up (especially on my left ear that's closer to the sub). It feels kind of similar to flying in an airplane, stuff and clogged, and it takes a few hours to go away.

I had a similar effect a long time ago. But only when listening to certain tracks, in a certain place in the room and it went away immediately after turning off the music. And, as far as I remember, I had a runny nose in those days. The real reason remained unclear.

 

[DVDdoug]

I know someone who is bothered/annoyed by bass. (I get annoyed by the one-note boom-boom bass in some rap and pop songs.)

and it seems even if I have some 8db gain on 65Hz it still barely moves the null up anyways.

That's the problem with a standing-wave null, where the direct & reflected waves are canceling. And +8dB is about 6 times the power so you can easily push your amp (or woofer) into clipping/distortion, and you will hear the distortion. But since you are listening at moderate levels that may not be a problem.

The bumps (standing wave anti-nodes) are usually MUCH more annoying anyway, and easier to fix.