Using Loudness ’Backwards’
I’ve always said it was Mis-named, you are not alone in misunderstanding ’Loudness’. It should be called ’Low Volume Boost’, or something.
The ’Loudness’ is specifically for LOW Volume Listening. ON at normal listening level will produce exaggerated muddy sounding bass, and boost highs you may or may not be aware of.
Loudness is to correct output to correspond with our hearing system’s variations as volume reduces.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equal-loudness_contour
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IF you are turning loudness on, then it indicates you want more bass at normal listening levels, thus yes, get thee some subs. Then, even with subs, at low volume listening (assuming the subs are properly matched for normal volume), you would use the loudness feature.
I have 15" woofers, consider them a pair of directional subs. Bass may start mono in your space, i.e. 40hz fundamental, but it becomes directional by way of the overtones of ANY fundamental note, thus you get reducing volume, but increasing directionality from the overtones, i.e. 40/80/160/320 ...
therefore, I recommend a pair of self-powered subs, front firing, located adjacent to main L & R for cohesive directionality. Once you know where the bass player is, from upper bass notes, even if full mono, your brain will ’keep’ the directionality, imaging will be improved by reality and rememberance.
No ports, or front facing ports if you must.
I’ve always said it was Mis-named, you are not alone in misunderstanding ’Loudness’. It should be called ’Low Volume Boost’, or something.
The ’Loudness’ is specifically for LOW Volume Listening. ON at normal listening level will produce exaggerated muddy sounding bass, and boost highs you may or may not be aware of.
Loudness is to correct output to correspond with our hearing system’s variations as volume reduces.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equal-loudness_contour
....................................
IF you are turning loudness on, then it indicates you want more bass at normal listening levels, thus yes, get thee some subs. Then, even with subs, at low volume listening (assuming the subs are properly matched for normal volume), you would use the loudness feature.
I have 15" woofers, consider them a pair of directional subs. Bass may start mono in your space, i.e. 40hz fundamental, but it becomes directional by way of the overtones of ANY fundamental note, thus you get reducing volume, but increasing directionality from the overtones, i.e. 40/80/160/320 ...
therefore, I recommend a pair of self-powered subs, front firing, located adjacent to main L & R for cohesive directionality. Once you know where the bass player is, from upper bass notes, even if full mono, your brain will ’keep’ the directionality, imaging will be improved by reality and rememberance.
No ports, or front facing ports if you must.