Subwoofer trouble

[Kylescha]

Hey everyone. Thanks in advance for any help.

I recently got a BIC H100 and am having alot of trouble getting the sound to the listening area. My room is 12x18 with the listening area about half way down the room (9 feet away).

Anyway, I've moved it into every possible location and cant seem to find a spot that directs the bass towards the center of the room. It seems that most bass is actually at a 30 degree angle above the subwoofer. Would putting the subwoofer on a small stand possibly fix this? It certainly is annoying having one spot of the room where you have to yell to hear anyone and then another where you hear almost nothing but the clattering of stuff on the window.

I'm willing to do anything that doesnt cost a ton of money or doesnt look absolutely terrible.

I can take pictures of the room if it is helpful, although its a pretty standard 18x12 inch room with no holes and all furniture is behind the listening area. Also, its concrete floors with carpeting.

Thanks.

[bpape]

What you're experiencing is room modes. The variation of bass energy is very typical in every untreated room. Consider treating the room with some bass control to reduce the effect and smooth the response at multiple locations.

Also, if you're sitting at half of the room length, you're only emphasising the room issues. That's the last place you should be sitting (other than directly against a wall). Try moving the listening seat to approx 11'2" from the front wall.

Bryan

[Kylescha]

I can't because I have the bed behind me.

[Terry Montlick]

Bryan's right about moving the listening position. If you can't move this, then move the sub. I know you've tried this, but there could be other sub positions that are better, such as away from one or both walls.

Fortunately, you can raise the bridge instead of lowering the river (or is it the over way 'round?). Because the low frequencies of the sub are omnidirection, you can exploit the "reciprocity principle" of acoustics. Change places with your sub to find the best position. Put the sub right at your seating spot, raised up to where your head would be.

Now, wherever you listen from is a possible subwoofer position. Subwoofer frequency response will be the same with you and your sub swapped. It is easier to move your head around the room (low, where the sub would be) then to keep dragging the sub.

- Terry

[vinay60]

Hello,

I have the same sub BIC H-100 and room about the same size (15 x 17.5) and having a tough time feeling the real sound of the sub unless the volume is -20 to -25 dB or higher.

Current Setup:
1. The listening area is a couch which is lined up against the wall.
2. I have been recommended to set the volume control of H-100 to 1/3 to 1/2 mark. I have it set at little less than 1/2 mark.
3. I have AVR240 receiver. After EZSet+ it automatically set the sub to -6 dB level. I am assuming that has the implicit +10 dB amplification for LFE.

Questions:
1. I have two couches that meet at right angle at the end of the room and both couches are against walls. Which means that they leave a open corner space. Something like the diagram below ...

__ |T|A|
|
|_
B |____|

Should I place the sub in location A or B (T=TV)? Btw, I do not own any audio/sound tools/meters.

2. Should the sub volume be set any higher? Or 1/2 is really the max I should I go up to?
3. Is my assumption, that the AVR240 would have automatically set to right level, correct?
4. What is good volume for listening without thinking that you are cranking the receiver almost all the way?

Thanks.

[vinay60]

bump

[trekguy]

see Terry's post above. You can test each location and select the one that seems best to you.

If A is not in a corner then B may sound louder because a corner location boosts the bass. It may also sound louder because it is closer to some seats. But what you actually hear is also a function of room size and your location in the room. Sound waves are long enough that you will have easily heard peaks and valleys that vary by location in the room.

If you can locate the sub by listening, the cross over frequency is set too high. See if you can select something lower (80Hz or so) should fix it. If you have a one box system with no crossover adjustments you may have to leave the sub in front with the left and right speakers.

So take Terry's advice and use the poor man's method for best bass.