[Eyleron]

When using receiver test tones of pink noise, or the Avia et al, you're sending a broad range of requencies to the sub, right?


So, when setting the sub's level, you're setting the "average level"? Now, do all you experts here really accept this sub "average" as the calibrated level? If so, then depending on the low end reach of our subs, freqs like 25Hz to 30Hz will be much below the 75dB calibrated level.


Or do y'all try to get more of the low end of the sub to the reference level, at the expense of having excessive bass at, say, 40 Hz?

 

[Figgie]

Pink noise is only useful when you have a 30 band RTA like the audio control SA-3051 or Goldline DSP-30 Digital RTA . This shows you a frequency repsonse curve at 1/3 octave per freq. With an eq then you tame any peaks or valleys. Of course the final adjustment is done by ear.

 

[MJConnel]

Quote:

So, when setting the sub's level, you're setting the "average level"? Now, do all you experts here really accept this sub "average" as the calibrated level?

Yes, you are setting the average level using pink noise with the meter. This really isn't calibrating the sub, just setting the level (to reference level).

Quote:

If so, then depending on the low end reach of our subs, freqs like 25Hz to 30Hz will be much below the 75dB calibrated level.

Correct. To fully calibrate your sub involves equalization to flatten out the room response. The easiest way to measure it is with pink noise and a real time spectrum analyzer (RTA), as suggested by Figgie. You can also use your sound level meter with test tones (individual frequencies) to measure the response, just make sure you apply a correction for the meter response. Once the room response is measured, you set up your parametric equalizer to flatten it out, then reset the sub level using pink noise.