Sub breakin period

Some people believe in break-in, some don't.
But even if it is true, that would be more like the tonality of the sound, not being able to get more max SPL.

If your meter says 109dB when you do the max/peak hold, is that the raw measurement? Because you can add 3~4dB to that to get the real SPL. That's a big room. But the closer you place the sub to your listening position, the more SPL you'll get there.

Mine did the same thing. It did get better after usage but mine took 2 months. This sub is made to hit reference at the 25 and 20 hz mode and depending on room size. Remember when you use a spl meter the numbers are usually lower than normal and depending on frequency. I hit 118 db's 1 meter away(back row) and 115 db's 2 meters away(front row). My room is 2300 cubic feet and with no openings. That is running the sub about 5 db's hot in the 16 hz mode. I prefer the 16 hz mode because the bass seems tighter that way. If you want reference try the 25 hz mode.

First of all,at what distance from the sub do you measure? Listening position,1 or 2m from the subwoofer.Is the sub corner loaded,where is it placed?

At what frequency did you get the result? Any sub can pound out a high 80Hz ,few can do the same at even a high 25Hz.

Most subs and speakers in general will perform better after a period of use. The voice coil, surround, and speaker cone become less stiff and more flexible allowing better excursion and output. The amount of improvement varies depending on the design, manufacturer and model.

Ian

TCLAY77

Audio meters are not, usually, accurate at very low frequencies. I will asume you are using the RS meter. There have been many compensation tables published and many debates about it, so I can't guarantee these numbers (Latest I could find) are 100% accurate, but they will be very close.
At the specified frequency you add the dB figures to the reading of your RS meter:

10 Hz +5 dB
12 Hz +6 dB
16 Hz +14.8 dB
25 Hz +7.8 dB
30 Hz +5 dB
40 Hz +3.2 dB
50 Hz +2 dB
80 Hz +1 dB
100 Hz +1.2 dB

On the other issue. Have you bottomed out the SVS? If not, on what do you base the maximum SPL number (109dB) for the SVS?

Regarding speaker break in. There are those who believe and those that don't.

There were test performed on this claim, it covered both objective (measurements) and subjective (listening) testing. The tests were performed double blind. First several model speakers (in pairs) were tested and measured. Then one of each was put aside while the others were subjected to heavy use. (If I remember correctly both white noise and music was used)

After the "break in period" speakers were tested and listened to again. The differences between the :broken in" and not were....

Less than the difference between two new speakers.

Listeners could not tell the differences between the broken in and not speakers.

There's yet to be a double blind test that shows differently.

One most make its own conclusion.

That will be correct, at 25Hz, according to that table.

The mind can play all kinds of tricks on you. Keep in mind that meters and test signals are measuring tools. Nobody can tell you what you like. If you like the sound of the SVS better, then that's it. If you would like it louder, then turn up the level. If you bottom out when playing it, add another one.

Life is good!

The new digital RS meters are more accurate above 30~35Hz or so. You still need to compensate below that, but not by quite as much as the old analogs.