Added A Second Subwoofer To System

I have an SVS SB-3000 and one older SB-2000 in a theater (plus old 15" DefTech). I have my second SB-2000 in a 13x18x9ft TV room and it is more than enough for loud effects watching TV.   Those subs will do the trick in that room.

I will say that personally, I always use a test disc, sound meter and some testing work to fine tune the best in flat bass and room EQ. But this can be done by ear with a little analytical listening (not as fun).

Are you running your very nice Lumina IIIs full range?  I probably would and bet they go down into the 40s for sure. Setting sub phase for loudest is good, means the bass drivers are acting more in unison and not trying to cancel each other out.

I'd experiment with lowering the subs' low pass and turning up the sub volume of both. Not being able to tell where they are implies you do have the crossover set reasonably low already. I think the subs will overlap the SF speaker a bit if not kept low. I don't think the adjustment goes lower than 50Hz? 

After juggling subs around my primary audio system uses one R.E.L. Britannia B1 at 28Hz and an R.E.L. Storm III set at 30Hz, volumes maybe 40%? Works well for the ultra-low end in the 17x20x10ft room. Your two subs are nice for your space.

Good luck experimenting. Let us know what you hear.

musicality,

Yes, I'm running my Lumina III's full range.  

My subs crossovers are set just below 60hz.

I'll try setting the subs lower and bringing up the volume as you suggested. 

Thanks for the response. 

What possibly happened is you smoothed out the bass so it is less prominent and more blended. It only sounds lower because it is smoother.

Not sure i can offer anything revelatory, but I’ve experienced variances in where I needed to set the volume knob to achieve pleasing spl and it was always due to room acoustics one way or the other.

I know my tracks and the volume where they sound right—historically.  After moving my seat and/or my speakers it’s apparent if something sounds louder or lower at that historic volume knob setting.  Aside from moving into or out of room nodes or null that could cause a volume change, a tonal change can lead to a perceived change in spl, I’ve always imagined.  We’re more sensitive to midrange, for example.  A bump or null in that region due to acoustics could affect our perception of volume.  

I added a sub only a couple of months ago and very much expect to add a second one later this year after I remodel my room.  I only played around with one spot before settling into the current placement so I’m out expert, but it’s tempting to suspect that corner placement would give a higher spl compared to mid-day sown the side walls?  I found my spot so quickly because my dealer gave me great guidance and I have an integrated amp with built in XO’s that makes sub optimization easy.  I cross at 50hz.  Subs play from 50 down and mains from there up.

I’d like to know if you think the tonal balance (aka, flatness of frequency) is better with subs out of the corners.  I recently improved my acoustics but didn’t move the sub, mans or my seat and it created what I call an imperviousness to volume.  I can crank it and it goes louder but the strain does not increase.  It refuses to lose composure.  But unlike what you are relaying, it is not like I’ve lost hearing and need to raise the volume.  It sounds great low but also loud.  I can enjoy it louder than before, I suspect, because I addressed some nasty pressure wave.  As I said earlier…it’s always acoustics.  And subs are as much acoustics derives addressing room pressure as they are “bass adding devices”. In fact, depending on the LF capability of ones mains, subs are much more the former than latter.

I’m trying to say that just because you can tolerate a higher volume setting or actually prefer it, doesn’t mean it’s not as loud.  Perhaps an annoying pressure (frequency) imbalance has been addressed.  Only you can assess that.  When we’re in a vehicle that feels like it’s going 50 when the dash says 85, we know that’s just our perception relative to how  85 feels in vehicles that are noisier and vibrates more. 

You most likely reduced some resonance that you were perceiving as additional volume.  It's unlikely that the volume of the primary content itself is reduced.

My 3 subs are integrated in a way that boosts certain frequencies and attenuates others which were "boomy" because of room acoustics.

When the subs were adjusted to cancel out (attenuate) certain frequency peaks, the overall volume appeared to go down. But the other frequencies were allowed to come forward, no longer obscured by peaks from 20-300 hz. 

There's no substitute for measuring these things, in my opinion. The free REW Wizard program plus a $100 Umik is one indispensable way to do that.

First off, thanks for all the responses, suggestions and advice.

I really like the way the bass sounds with the two subs as opposed to just one.

I also like how the bass sounds with the subs mid-way up the side walls as opposed to the corner placement. It feels more balanced, louder and less strained(?). So, yes to rc22 . I think the tonal balance is better with the subs out of the corners. And, as I said, although I’m actually sitting closer to the subs I’m not aware of them at all. I had to make sure they were "on" and working.

I was just more concerned with the perceived drop in overall volume since the relocation of the subs.

I’m hoping that my hearing hasn’t all of a sudden just dropped off and I lucked into" smoothed out the bass so it is less prominent and more blended. It only sounds lower because it is smoother." as kota 1 suggested.

I’m also going to try what musicaddict suggested.

Looking forward to further experimenting today.

rc22, I like your analogy of driving 85 in a smooth quiet car as opposed to a noisy one when I went from my old pickup to a Lexus ES350. I had to watch my speed as it didn’t feel like I was going fast. In the truck, I knew how fast I was going without looking at the speedometer.

asymmetrical placement of subs can also make a nice difference...easy to do and worth a try...

I’ve tried some of the suggestions with not much change. I guess that’s just how it is or I am losing my hearing which wouldn’t surprise me. I’m happy with the bass and that’s what getting a second sub and putting them in the best position was all about to begin with. No?

I did realize one thing, The Classe pre amp has a gain switch. I had it set to the higher setting and I thought why do I need to turn the volume up so high when I have the gain on the higher setting?

I looked at the phono pre amp (MoFi Studio) and the gain switches were set too low for my cartridge. I flipped the switches to the correct position for my cartridge and now I have to put the Classe pre gain switch in the lower position!

For some reason it never dawned on me to check that. I’m an idiot!