To subwoofer or not to subwoofer

[olds1959special]

In a small room, situated near a wall, I am having a hard time integrating a subwoofer into my system. I have tried everything with the crossover, phase and volume settings but I think it just makes things worse. I have stashed my subwoofer for now and I think it's better this way.

 

[alex-z]

Lets see your measurements. A common mistake I see is people trying to integrate a subwoofer without a high-pass filter, also fixating on a single subwoofer location.

 

[theREALdotnet]

Integrating a single subwoofer by ear is possible, but requires experience and patience.

A couple of tricks that can be used:
- Put the sub at your listening position, make it play a bass signal (like a 20-80Hz warble, e.g. from REW), then crawl around the room to look for boomy spots and nulls. Place the sub in the best sounding spot.
- Wire the sub (or a main speaker) out of phase, play a tone at the crossover frequency through one main speaker and the sub simultaneously, adjust subwoofer phase and volume so that you get maximum extinction if you put your head halfway between speaker and sub.

A measurement-based approach is best and most predictable, of course, but requires the ability to interpret measurements and make the right adjustments. Thankfully, you can post your REW measurements in forums such as this one, and people can help interpret them for you.

Using multiple subs makes it easier to avoid some bass problems inherent in most rooms, but I'd say their integration absolutely requires measurements and software support.

 

[Carlton80@0]

Curious as to what sub and speakers are you trying to integrate?

 

[kemmler3D]

Integrating subs without PEQ is pretty hard, doing it without measurements is harder. What are you using as a source for your system? If you have a WiiM or PC there is a lot you can do without a ton of trouble.

 

[olds1959special]

I think I figured it out. I moved it a few feet to the side of the right speaker instead of under the desk. Then I turned the crossover to the lowest setting so the bass is less localized, (which would be 50hz, since my speakers play down to 44 this should be okay) and turned the volume up to maximum. Testing pink noise with an RTA shows a pretty even frequency response, and the sound seems better now. The bass fills the room without interfering with the main speakers.

 

[Chrispy]

I think I figured it out. I moved it a few feet to the side of the right speaker instead of under the desk. Then I turned the crossover to the lowest setting so the bass is less localized, (which would be 50hz, since my speakers play down to 44 this should be okay) and turned the volume up to maximum. Testing pink noise with an RTA shows a pretty even frequency response, and the sound seems better now. The bass fills the room without interfering with the main speakers.

Position is often key. Crossover setting meaning you only have the option of using the low pass filter on the sub itself? No other bass management tools in your gear?

 

[olds1959special]

Position is often key. Crossover setting meaning you only have the option of using the low pass filter on the sub itself? No other bass management tools in your gear?

Yes, my speakers play full range.

 

[Chrispy]

Yes, my speakers play full range.

Some subs offer a bit of an actual crossover for your speakers rather than just a low pass filter (which is often misnamed "crossover").

 

[olds1959special]

Some subs offer a bit of an actual crossover for your speakers rather than just a low pass filter (which is often misnamed "crossover").

It’s just a low pass filter on this sub.

 

[Chrispy]

It’s just a low pass filter on this sub.

Unless interested in gear to help integrate a sub better, go with what sounds best to you.

 

[sigbergaudio]

Yes, my speakers play full range.

This makes it three times as difficult, and you will get less effect and benefit from the sub.

 

[Multicore]

In a small room, situated near a wall, I am having a hard time integrating a subwoofer into my system. I have tried everything with the crossover, phase and volume settings but I think it just makes things worse. I have stashed my subwoofer for now and I think it's better this way.

That's what I ended up doing with mine. It's in its box talking up closet space.

 

[Salt]

Be aware to use the 'subwoofer supporting ' OPA ...

 

[olds1959special]

I ended up setting my subwoofer to 55 Hz LPF because it's about 10 Hz higher than the main speakers limit (44 Hz)