How to: Subwoofer Setup & Integration the NPR way.

Songs Used:
Cherish by Madonna (to test gain/volume)
Put On by Young Jeezy (to test infrasonic bass & phase)
I'm gonna Be by The Proclaimers (to test frequency settings)
Outside The Box by Obsidia (to test integration)

I have setup many subwoofers using this method, here are a few that come to mind:
REL HT1205
REL T5i
SVS PC-2000
SVS SB-2000 Pro
SVS SB-3000
Rythmik L12
Rythmik L22
Rythmik F12SE
Aperion Bravus 8D
Aperion Bravus 10D
Emotiva S10
Emotiva SE8
Emotiva SE12
Bowers & Wilkins ASW608
Velodyne SPL 8 Series 2
Velodyne DPS 10

[exodusvelo]

You got me from the part of "I´m not gonna do that crawling thing as if I was a dog... ". Finally someone with dignity in the subwoofer world, LOL!!

[diamond]

it took me an evening, but 3 months of weekends fine tuning when the wife was working so I didn't drive her insane getting up and down .... lol. But it was also the first time I really got serious about it and was a complete noob at the process. Plus I found it helped to walk away for awhile and go back with "fresh" listening ears. Kind of like, cleaning your palette. Thus every weekend for quiet some time, I'd find myself getting up and down to tweak it just a little bit here and there. Looking forward to upgrading to an SVS sub and having the app to play with that shit from my listening position.

[איילבןדוד-דפ]

Thanks for the calibration tips!

I found the SVS app very helpful in calibration the sub to the mains.

I do the following:

1. At SVS app select “Low Pass Filter” disable LFE and set the LP frequency to match the -3dB settings for the main speakers. Select slope in accordance to speaker. SVS recommends 24dB/octave for ported mains or 12 dB/octave default. Later on we can tune it further but these should be the initial settings. (For example my mains have -3dB at 40Hz and they are ported).

2. At the app – chose polarity and set to “Negative”. That’s right we temporarily set the polarity to negative just for calibration.

3. Play one of the Youtube test tone videos for the LP frequency you selected in (1). For example in my case I played a 40 Hz test tone.

4. At the app – slide the the phase from 0 to 180 and stop to the point where the test tone volume is minimal.

5. At the app – increase or decrease volume of the sub-woofer until the test tone volume is minimal.

6. Repeat steps 4, 5 until you hear nothing at your listening point. The tone from the mains and the tone from the sub cancel each other. That means that they are at the same phase and volume but opposite polarity. It is OK ff you can’t get cancellation as long as the test tone volume is minimal. In such case you can tune the LP frequency and slope (step 1) to see how it affects the test tone. The process is iterative. Expect some trial and error iterations. Once you are satisfied proceed to next step.

7. At the app - return the polarity back to Positive.

8. Listen to music and set the volume of the sub-woofer to your liking. You can repeat the steps above for tunings, just don't forget to return the polarity back to positive.

My Mains: Wharfedale Linton Heritage 85
Sub : SVS SB-2000 Pro

Note: Method above assumes no bass management in amp. i.e. mains get the whole range.

[leggedfurball]

"With or without you" by U2 has been a good one for sub intergration for myself over the years. You'll know straight away if you havn't got the base right on this one.

[IrenESorius]

My fav subwoofer placement, , as absolutely close to my ears as possible. Works 100%.
Iw got 2 x XTZ SUB 12.17 EDGE placed on 2feet high plinths directly behind my sofa/listening place.
Cheers, , 🍻😎👍‍‍

[jlo]

For my REL T9x I used the iPhone “Decibel X” set to “C” weight / “slow” response and placed it at ear height in my seating position. I played test tone and heavy bass tracks to determine the phase. Very easy to verify and it eliminates the guessing game.

[robertholcomb]

The Proclaimers... That's a great album right there!

[johnwoods]

great set up song selection.. they really helped me

[bobb.]

Thanks for this detailed set-up guide with specific songs. It REALLY helps me know exactly what I am looking for in frequency and volume settings by giving me a specific trac of bass note to tune my sub in using those two parameters. Your discussion let me know EXACTLY what I am "listening for" better that my manufacturer's set.up discussion. THANKS so much!

[WWeiss-nvvz]

I'm Gonna Be, good track! Have you ever considered making a video or listing your Subwoofer Test Tracks? One of my favorites, Morph The Cat, Donald Fagen

[eltonc]

Great video.... and all under 10 mins... Loved it....!!!

[riccitone]

Went back to this to help me fix some issues I’ve never quite addressed. Thank you so much 🙏🏼 And f$ck all of that sh$t! 😂🙌

[wking]

I just bought 2 Rhythmik F18s. They are on back order until the end of the month. I have 2 Klipsch rs115 subs now. I hear I'm in for a revolution. Any thoughts on what to expect?

[dodpr]

Thank you for making this video. Great explanation and to the point. It will be nice to have a sub with a remote control so I dont have to get up as much to match the volume. 😂

[videoproboston]

Awesome video once again. Exactly what I did to fine tune my F12. Thanks !

[Zdk]

Thanks for the video! Appreciate your candour :)

[seoulrydr]

I can envision it now - room crawl - gopro's (dual) on your head one facing front one facing your rear as you explain what you're doing. OK NO because that shit is awkward AS F**K. Love the disclaimer at the beginning of the vid. Good show!

[mandasjim]

Great advice. Is a chrysalis photon 1000 watt sub a good sound? I have a pair of b&w 705 bookshelves

[erics.]

Nemo or anyone else mess with any setup test tracks that aren't specifically music? Things like frequency sweeps or something that helps you identify the crossover point between the speakers and sub, and help you adjust that for
..well..
Synergy. Making sure there is an even transition, both at frequency response and apparent volume in room? I've thought about trying this but I'm already annoyed with the idea of listening to frequency slopes lol. Just wondering if there's something that was produced specifically for sub integration that can get you 90% there quickly from some sort of objective point

[mattkalis]

Hi Nemo. I agree on not using the crawl method. That is because the crawl method only works for one frequency. Change the frequency and the null zones shift around in the room. Why go through the effort to optimize for one frequency. The same can be said for the phase, although less frequency sensitive that is a bit more complicated.

You nailed if for me. Place your sub. Make sure there is no blatant phase issues. Then use a bass guitar with good notes that have lots of frequency range to set crossover and gain. I use “Long after you’re gone” by Chris Jones