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Subwoofer. Great one song. Not so great the next song.

I'm not a subwoofer guy. Played around with one in my primary system (Aerial Acoustics 7Bs, Proceed 250w amp, AR LS-16 tube preamp). Big B&W powered, not sure which. Didn't think it added anything. Ditched it.


Recently got a pair of Aerial Acoustic 6Ts for my secondary system. They have no place to be but right up against the wall. Maybe a foot out. Can't decide if they sound better with a sock in the rear facing bass port or not. Its a wash. Overall they sound pretty dang good though.


But, I played around with a JL Audio e110 sub. Pretty nice unit. Put the socks back in the bass ports.

On some songs the combo with the sub just sounds stellar. On others it sounds boomy and thumpy. My audiophile hang up is taught, clear, concise bass. I do not like boomy and thumpy at all. I can get up and turn the output on the sub down a little and it sounds okay again.

But I don't want to do that every time a different song comes on.

Now, on this sub you can change crossover frequencies, phase and also a polarity switch. I don't know _anything_ about that stuff. I've got it set on the more or less default settings in the manual. The only thing I've messed with is the polarity switch and for reasons I don't understand it sounds better on 180 than 0. I have not messed with the crossover frequency and phase dials.

Is there any chance that changing any of those settings would allow me to reach a sweet spot where I don't have to change settings on the sub frequently? I may or may not keep this sub. If I can't find that sweet spot I'll let it go as alone the 6Ts don't sound bad by any measure.

Thanks,
George


n80

Showing 2 responses by oldhvymec

oldhvymec
5,101 posts
 
Holly cow,

Turn the FEQ, all the way down, Counter Clock Wise.

Turn the Vol, to the 12  position, 1/2 way

Turn the Phase switch to 0. ZERO

Flip the phase switch to "0" phase, not 180.

Play the Boom songs

Turn the FEQ up until the boom starts, then turn it down just a bit.

Your close.. It's hard to get perfect, and you won't.
Place the sub closer to you, it will work better for YOU?

Why? Because it will.. The further from you, the more difficult the placement,  within 6-8 feet, between the mains, and forward of the mains, or closer to the seated position.

It's VERY simple, turn three knobs, one switch, then turn one Clock Wise, and back off a tad... Sound easy to me... Enjoy...

Regards

oldhvymec
5,101 posts
 

kr43,477 posts07-24-2020

here is no crossover in the e110, so there's really no point to doing this.
Turn the FEQ, all the way down, Counter Clock Wise.
What's an FEQ?

My suggestions are to consider a preamp with bass management, an external crossover and/or an external DSP for equalizing the sub in your room.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

There is a Crossover...

According to the picture I saw, and the spec sheet I read.
The FREQ, OX, FEQ, all refer to the crossover point, 25-125, I believe

There is a master gain control, a 0-180 phase switch, a 0-220 variable
and a selectable XO from 25-125 or so..

I suggest starting LOW, all the way to the left, CCW, at 25 and slowly turn it up, until it starts getting boomy, then back it off a bit. It's going to be around 30-35 or so. Makes sure EVERYTHING is at 0 on the tone control, if you have it on the pre, OR anywhere else for that matter EQs everything.. All ZERO (0).

BECAUSE you can't move the sub, there is going to be a bit of a timing issue. Simple too.

In the seated position, once the XO is close (FREQ)  try adding a little phase correction at a time, maybe 20 at a time until you hear the clearest, LOUDEST (defined) bass notes. When the bass goes away, it's to far out of phase, turn it bac a bit.. When it's in time (as close as you can get it)  you'll be able to hear ALL the notes, not just the one note bass, or cancellation, due to combing.

Again SEATED, no where else matters, because room treatment, la-te-da... ok...Seated only!

Most folks add a sub, not understanding, to much is just BAD. less is always better in the 20-80 hz range, BUT you got to have it, for the best sound...30hz to 20Khz.

Enjoy..

Regards
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