One option is the 38% rule: http://realtraps.com/art_room-setup.htm
In your room, it seems like the LP were you "lean forward" is the better LP.
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optimal MLP?
Hi, I'd appreciate any help with selecting the MLP.
The room is 22 (L) x 17 (W) x 12 (H). We have an open floor leading to the kitchen: 20 L x 17 W x 8 (H), which leads to a dining room through a door.
I have two subs placed in the front corners.
I currently have the MLP at 15 ft away from the TV screen (which is 2 ft from the front wall).
The reason why I ask about the MLP is that if I lean forward towards the TV from the MLP, I feel the sound is much more "immersive" and the sub low frequency sound is much more audible.
I want to have a sub crawl but would like to get the MLP right if there is any rule of thumb.
Many of the posts are about where to place the subs assuming the MLP is fixed.
Thanks!
The room is 22 (L) x 17 (W) x 12 (H). We have an open floor leading to the kitchen: 20 L x 17 W x 8 (H), which leads to a dining room through a door.
I have two subs placed in the front corners.
I currently have the MLP at 15 ft away from the TV screen (which is 2 ft from the front wall).
The reason why I ask about the MLP is that if I lean forward towards the TV from the MLP, I feel the sound is much more "immersive" and the sub low frequency sound is much more audible.
I want to have a sub crawl but would like to get the MLP right if there is any rule of thumb.
Many of the posts are about where to place the subs assuming the MLP is fixed.
Thanks!
1 - 8 of 8 Posts
In your room, it seems like the LP were you "lean forward" is the better LP.
how wide are your speakers set apart? They should be almost as wide as your distance away from them (15' seems pretty far from a TV as well). Sounds like moving your seat up a bit will help immediately.
Thanks, craig john and pitpat, for your prompt response.
As per the 38% rule, my MLP is about right if I count both the family room and the kitchen. I have a 92" mitsu.
However, the two front speakers are only 7.5 ft away. I'll consider moving them 10" apart and moving the seat 2-3 ft closer to the TV and see what happens.
As per the 38% rule, my MLP is about right if I count both the family room and the kitchen. I have a 92" mitsu.
However, the two front speakers are only 7.5 ft away. I'll consider moving them 10" apart and moving the seat 2-3 ft closer to the TV and see what happens.
Normally, in a living room set up, you want to optimize sub placement for wherever the MLP is.
You didn't say if you use Audyssey or if your subs are identical, but the steps below will work essentially the same with any auto-EQ. The steps are slightly different for mis-matched subs though.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Set the gain on both subs to the same level - around 12:00-2:00 on the gain knob is a good starting point (just a starting point, gain structure can vary greatly from one manufacturer to another). Set phase to "0" on both subs for now.
1. Connect sub #1 only and place it at the MLP
2. Do the sub crawl to determine the best position for sub #1
3. Place sub #1 in that position
4. Connect both subs and place sub #2 at the MLP (with sub #1 playing as well)
5. Do the sub crawl to determine the best position for sub #2
6. Place sub #2 in that position
7. Playing the AVRs test tone, adjust phase on one of the subs until you get the maximum SPL at the MLP (could be variable or a simple 0/180 switch) (if you have SubEQ HT, skip this step)
8. Run Audyssey, first mic position only, and "calculate"
9. Look to see where Audyssey has set your sub trim, you want it to be around -6db to -8db ideally
10. Adjust the gain on both subs by the same amount up or down as needed
11. Repeat 8-10 until you get the sub trim around -6db to -8db
12. Run the full Audyssey calibration
13. Set all speakers to "small"
14. Set all crossovers to 80hz (or, if set higher than 80hz by Audyssey, leave them alone)
15. Bump up the sub trim by 3db to 6db to your preference
16. Enjoy!
You didn't say if you use Audyssey or if your subs are identical, but the steps below will work essentially the same with any auto-EQ. The steps are slightly different for mis-matched subs though.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Set the gain on both subs to the same level - around 12:00-2:00 on the gain knob is a good starting point (just a starting point, gain structure can vary greatly from one manufacturer to another). Set phase to "0" on both subs for now.
1. Connect sub #1 only and place it at the MLP
2. Do the sub crawl to determine the best position for sub #1
3. Place sub #1 in that position
4. Connect both subs and place sub #2 at the MLP (with sub #1 playing as well)
5. Do the sub crawl to determine the best position for sub #2
6. Place sub #2 in that position
7. Playing the AVRs test tone, adjust phase on one of the subs until you get the maximum SPL at the MLP (could be variable or a simple 0/180 switch) (if you have SubEQ HT, skip this step)
8. Run Audyssey, first mic position only, and "calculate"
9. Look to see where Audyssey has set your sub trim, you want it to be around -6db to -8db ideally
10. Adjust the gain on both subs by the same amount up or down as needed
11. Repeat 8-10 until you get the sub trim around -6db to -8db
12. Run the full Audyssey calibration
13. Set all speakers to "small"
14. Set all crossovers to 80hz (or, if set higher than 80hz by Audyssey, leave them alone)
15. Bump up the sub trim by 3db to 6db to your preference
16. Enjoy!
Thank you, Alan. I have dual Hsu VTF MK2. Yesterday, I moved the MLP 2 ft closer to the TV screen, ran Audyssey XT32, followed your instructions, and got great results (I set the volume at -22db below ref level and saw the SPL recording at 103db frequently with "Olympus has fallen" scenes. I know it is not 120db or something, but it's already causing cries at home. I didn't do much in terms of sub crawal and put them in the front corners partly for aethetics reasons).
I do have a question. Some suggest that once you set the gain on the sub and have run room correction, you can turn the gain up by 3-6db on the AVR but should never touch the gain on the sub again. Others suggest that after Audyssety you turn the sub gain up a little bit and lower the AVR level if necessary. I tried both, but felt more powerful LFE and clearer conversation from the speakers with the latter approach (I started with each sub at 75db - about 80db when both are on, run the audyssey which set the sub at -1.5db. after the room correction, I lowered the AVR level to -4.5db but turned the sub gain to 9 oclock).
Either way, the Hsu subs are not running hot (at -4.5db to -8.5db)
What's your thought?
I do have a question. Some suggest that once you set the gain on the sub and have run room correction, you can turn the gain up by 3-6db on the AVR but should never touch the gain on the sub again. Others suggest that after Audyssety you turn the sub gain up a little bit and lower the AVR level if necessary. I tried both, but felt more powerful LFE and clearer conversation from the speakers with the latter approach (I started with each sub at 75db - about 80db when both are on, run the audyssey which set the sub at -1.5db. after the room correction, I lowered the AVR level to -4.5db but turned the sub gain to 9 oclock).
Either way, the Hsu subs are not running hot (at -4.5db to -8.5db)
What's your thought?
You're free to adjust the sub level any way you wish. The only reason to do it in the AVR vs. on the sub is so you know exactly where you are in terms of sub trim and can easily get back to a known state. Most sub gain knobs don't have detents, numbers or even markers. If you're comfortable turning up the gain on the sub, and it provides a better result, go right ahead. 
Part of the thing with leaning forwarded and getting a more immersive bubble, in my experience, is that you are getting rid of the reflections from the seat back. I have always found the best immersion by either sinking my head into the seat back or leaning forward a foot or so while sitting in the chair. That position with the head 3-6 inches off the seat back is always the worst. Clearly the dimensions of the seat back and room acoustics will impact this, but it is pretty consistent no matter where my seating is in the roomHi, I'd appreciate any help with selecting the MLP.
The room is 22 (L) x 17 (W) x 12 (H). We have an open floor leading to the kitchen: 20 L x 17 W x 8 (H), which leads to a dining room through a door.
I have two subs placed in the front corners.
I currently have the MLP at 15 ft away from the TV screen (which is 2 ft from the front wall).
The reason why I ask about the MLP is that if I lean forward towards the TV from the MLP, I feel the sound is much more "immersive" and the sub low frequency sound is much more audible.
I want to have a sub crawl but would like to get the MLP right if there is any rule of thumb.
Many of the posts are about where to place the subs assuming the MLP is fixed.
Thanks!
I would be curious of your impressions if you plaster your head against the seat back vs leaning forward. Is it better or worse? Both are always better for me compared to my typical head position.
1 - 8 of 8 Posts
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