Any good CD for setting up/positoning a Subwoffer?

I have a total hewlett packard pavilion 9600 with XP home ed. I use a subwoofer that I bought with the video soundblaster card. Now my sbuwoffer doesn't work the red light doesn't turn green and once in a great while it comes on loud and clear ! I have checked and cleaned all connections from PC to the unit and the black box and the wall plug. Doyou have nay hints ? Also in a few days I will be replacing MY PC with a brand new system and maybe it will make the subwoffer work ? Is there a way to test my subwoffer ? Also my new monitor an HP vs 19d has monitor mounted speakers and with the volume up to 12 they whisper. Please help, Gino. ANd what A GREAR SITE THIS IS !!!!!!!! i AM not one to surf too much and reading stuff is not my bag but your site is GREAT and I will recommend and return everyday ! Keep up the great work !!!!!!!!!

Try The Raven by Rebecca Pidgeon - the track "Spanish Harlem"

The bass notes should all be of equal loudness.

The fundamentals of the notes are (in Hz)

49 62 73 65 82 98 73 93 110

Arni- Before you even start using a cd, 1) get the center of your woofer cone as close as you can to the same distance from your listening position as your mains,and 2) improvise a platform for you sub that will decouple it from the flooring. Yuo'll be surprised at the result!

Thank you for your help!

I have several test discs that are supposed to help with SW setup. They are good to start with, but the result should not be considered final.

Placement is a trial and error game. Play real music.

Regarding crossover frequency, after long experience I have come to the conclusion that the best setting depends on the particular recording, so I now have a crossover where the frequency is easy to adjust, and I feel free to twist that knob. I range from 50 Hz, for chamber music, to 200-400 Hz for organ music. My subwoofer system is a custom design and can handle higher frequencies than is usual. When I increase the frequency I am really transitioning from planar speakers (MG1.6) to cone drivers which have the "punch" and power handling capability needed for some music.

Sphile Test CD #3 (or something simliar) and a Rat Shack SPL meter. This disc has tones from 200 hz to 20 hz in 10 second samples that are very good for setting xover and gain for subs.

Oz

Anything with repetitive low-bass will work. I believe David Ellington from Sumiko uses uses the soundtrack from the movie Sneakers.