I currently have 803s up front and 804s for the rear, with a HTM1 center. My sub is crruntly a SVS 20-35PCI.

I have been working on my room setup. I now think my sub may be my "weak piece" that needs to be improved next. I am hoping this knowledagble group can give some opinions.

I setup my room so I am viewing at the 62% point (room length is 26.66 feet - I am viewing at 17.15) I have given the 804s about 4 feet from the rear wall, and 40" from the sides. The rears have about 20" on each side.

I placed the sub by putting it in the primary listening position, playing a sub test tone, then crawling around viable positions with the RS meter. I chose the place with the highest reading. then I adjusted the phase. The RS meter barely moved as I adjusted the phase, so I just picked the setting with the fullest sound.

In addition, I have two bass panels and 3 for 1st reflections. I may do more in this area, but I will save that for another day.

Others advise a crossover of 60-80hz. I have read the literature, and think the offloading the bass from the mains/rears make sense.

I don't like crossing at 80hz, because in my setup, I can localize the sub. So I tried crossing at 60hz and 40hz. While at 60hz, the speakers had a little bit sweeter sounding mids, the bass from the sub seemed a little boomy.

When I cross at 40hz, I loose just a little of that sweetness in the mids (not much - have Krell amps with good headrrom). But at 40hz, he bass sounds much tighter with the sub handling only the <40hz signals.

I have heard the SVS sub are good. Is maybe the little bit of boominess I hear becuase it is not EQd. I have considered adding an SMS-1. Or, do I need to upgrade my sub to something like a Velo DD-12?

Regards,
Darrell

IMHO Get your system tuned up properly before you do a sub upgrade. I have owned several SV subs an none were boomy. All the boominess was solved by tweaking.

I ended up crossing at 80HZ but rolling off the subs, with an external box, tighter (steeper curve) and lower (about 65Hz). Since you have a PC sub, I think you can do the same with the built in amp controls. Not really sure that is what you need, but it sounds very similar to my issues.

I had to do the same after I changed subs because of aesthetics to a box sub. (JL 113)
In the exact same position as the SV's I had to roll the sub's internal amp tighter and a bit higher than the processor.

Keep in mind I was switching from 2 port tuned subs to another brand single sealed box. The sonic problem was the same and it had to do with my room and not the subs at all.

John,

Thanks for the reasonable advise. I have moved the seating position and the sub position, so it is better now. I still prefer the sound when the speakers are crossed at 40hz, than 60hz.

I think I need to either get more Acoustics and/or an EQ. Before spening money on an EQ though I just wanted to be sure the 20-39pci could produce tight bass when setup properly.

Thanks,
Darrell