Dummy's guide to subwoofer setup

Is there a simple formula for setting up subwoofers?

[adrianwilliams]

That’s the best explanation I’ve seen on configuring a sub woofer.. thanks Paul

[wezzman]

Really really great advice, I've never heard anyone explaining this so well.... fantastic stuff.

[grahamamorrisonsr]

Just today, I was experimenting with my sub, the phase switch, the roll over frequency, it’s position in the room, etc. I felt the lowest bass was weak compared to what I was used to hearing. Stand up bass was clean all the way down, but some songs were lacking the deepest bass I had come to enjoy.

Then I discovered that the sub was not plugged into the wall. I rewired the system last week, and accidentally unplugged the sub. 😂

So, my Martin Logans have GOOD bass by themselves, and the sub DOES add that last octave.

Color me embarrassed. Tomorrow I will follow Paul’s fine instructions on this video to set it just right.

[TT-eois]

Paul,

Excellent directions for Roger to re-integrate and balance his JL Audio subs!

You also inspired a wonderful sub change in my setup! With my past pre-amp LP (low pass) and HP (high pass) outputs, Was well pleased with integration of the stand monitors and sub (or so I thought). Last year, I removed that control preamp and made the stand monitors play full range by using the variable outputs from CD player to directly drive my power amp. I've now achieved the extremely open 3D holographic sonics I have been seeking these past 4 decades.

Now with that ear-opening source change and to re-introduce my sub to the system, I succumb to your best-practice-recommendation of hooking my high level amplifier output signals to my sub high level inputs to gain an even better and more seamless integration throughout the bottom end. WOW, WOW...what a synergistic and perfect blend of tonality, timbre, resolution and fast bass response between sub and stand monitors!! Presentation is now an 18HZ to 28K HZ balance of pure music in my audio room that seems to come from a single point source...the recording itself...no system, no room, just me and the performers in their recorded venue...Amazing!!!

[GoofyJuice]

Unrelated but this man has a majestic voice and amazing sound quality!!

[amanieux]

thanks for the guide but at what volume on the sub do you do your process of raising the cut-off frequency until it is too loud ? (active subwoofer also have a volume knob)

[kobusbender]

A lot of people do not know how to use a sub... they think of it as a boombox...and the louder it booms, the more they like it. I am a pipe organ lover and have a REL Strata in front and a Q150E in the back, so I have a near flat response from 19-23000 Hz. The subs are trimmed to come in from where the main speakers(ESS AMT1D) stop playing at about 35Hz...no booming at all. The room is 50 square meters and in my listening chair 30Hz is missing from the front setup...the Q150E fill that gap...my system sound like a live performance.

[stephenstevens]

My situation is a bit different. Using vintage Magnapans, the bass coming from the speakers is less than stellar. It's tough to get the bass sounding like it's coming from the panels. I'm using 2 subs, and I find placement more of an issue than frequency. I've found unusual placements work the best.

[johnrozier]

It was noted the questioner has a JL sub. If it’s a JL Fathom it comes with a microphone and a setup feature that filters out unwanted resonances in the room. After that’s done with this specific sub, Paul’s suggestions are right on point! I use this subwoofer and it is quite a performer when setup properly.

[nodaysback]

It's likely that the high pass filter on the Sub Box that you made a quick reference to has an output for active mains or the amp for passive mains, with a signal void of the lows that are crossed over to the sub..

The Main amps get to operate more efficiently without wasting resources on the very low frequencies already handled by a designated, high power Sub Amp and the Mains woofers are relieved of the burden of reproducing the lowest Hz by a larger, more capable designated subwoofer(s).

[amareshpereira]

Thanks so much Paul!
It has been a routine everyday to first listen to your video and then divert to other videos. It's a good source of inspiration and strength to venture on the high road which audiophia dreams are made of!
Bless you!

[n.m.saseendran]

Placement of the Subwoofer is an important action to hear the music in its quality sound.

[CesarGonzalez-ktvp]

You feel it more than hear it! You want it more like a percussion wave! Theater set up here! 🖖

[linandy]

Which of your discs help with sub woofer setup? The audiophile reference disc?

[djhmax]

Trial and error as each room is different...then raise the sub off the floor! for placement

[gtric]

Most speakers freq. rating is at 1 watt, i usually don't go past 75db at the chair, so i set the volume of my sub a little higher. Most speakers don't give much bass at that volume.

[johper]

I use one sub under each speaker, a 2.2 system. Great sound..👌

[Scott-DJ]

Here's something I'm guessing you can never do with the subwoofer. My existing system subwoofer (Innovative Audio dual-10 subtable) comes off the preamp but I'm thinking about getting a soundbar for when I don't want to fire my main system. Most of the ones I'm looking at have a subwoofer output port on them. Since I only have one cable going to my subwoofer, could I connect that main line into both the preamp and the soundbar? I'm guessing that would invoke some gain fluctuation issues the fact that every wind a I can find is only about a foot long, that's not a good application for it.

Alternatively, instead of running the sub from the preamp, can I run it for my Oppo 205 source directly? I'm guessing *that*.would invoke some kind of noticeable audio delay.

There's got to be a way to clearly connect my regular system preamp and nrwly added auxiliary soundbar to the same subwoofer

[troyrobinson]

I put Onkyo on only on 80hz to much boom from front speakers subwoofer low but sometimes sounds good what can I do

[michelcouture]

On my rel sum I have a gain knob and a frequency knob, what would be the sequence of incorporation?