What process did you use to integrate multiple subwoofers for 2 channel listening?


Today I will be trying to integrate up to three subs. Two are matching Rythmiks F12SE, and one is a REL R-328. The Rythmiks have a variety of adjustable parameters, including phase, crossover, and gain. There are other switches and passes on the sub, but I'm going to try to keep it basic to begin with. The REL has variable gain and crossover; the phase on REL is either 0 or 180.

I have REW for measurement. I will be buying a few more furniture sliders this morning, on doctors orders. ;-)

QUESTION: If you have multiple subs, by what process did you integrate your subs? One at a time? More? Which adjustments did you try first and in what kinds of increment?

I know that trial, error, measuring, and listening will all take time. Rather than look for a needle in a haystack, I'm curious what sequence or process was most effective for you.

Thank you.
128x128hilde45
Trial and error!  It helped me to just have the sub playing (no mains) while moving it around the room to find the smoothest, most even response.  I have a bad null in my room that I had almost given up on until I put the sub directly behind me.  
Subs for me are a love hate relationship.  If not set up properly the can actually make a system sound worse.  Properly setup though, they can be a game changer. 
Subs are like wife's..can't live with them or without them..the trick is to spend some time with them. Figure out what works and what doesn't...relative to what you want out of the relationship...big bass big impact..multiple subs with little but subtle immediate impact...one sub...move it around to see how best it fits relative to your environment....? Are we talking Audio technology or being married..or maybe the relationship is the same?  Been in this hobby for a long time and I think there is a lot of similarities in wanting that extra something (i.e. bass) to make our system more than what we expect. Just saying 😌
I have learned to respect millercarbon's opinions. Also, I have traveled down the road to the integration of subs.

If you have the patience to really understand the science about sub placement, settings, etc. read this article. It's quite large but explains a lot about using subs.......
http://www.soundoctor.com/whitepapers/subs.htm

@golfnutz Great tip. I’ll head over to AVS and look for Enrico’s tips. I’ve been playing with a lot of parameters but not the filters as much. I thought those might be later factors — too complicating, early on.

@djones I’m not running any software that applies EQ. I was hoping to avoid adding that to the signal chain.

@whart — it may be that DSP is a necessary step. Thanks for your detailed process. There’s a lot for me to try in there. And yes, listening will be the final test, and at many points along the way.

@fittebd — thanks. Will check it out.

@jrpned Thanks for the white paper.

@miller the hump is one main problem. You are saying that (a) I don’t know my own goals or mind, (b) don’t know how to use words and (c) don’t pay attention. I think the final answer is actually not listed — that you don’t really want to help. You want to find clever ways to poke at me. I’d prefer for you to simply stop posting on my threads. The whole tone of conversations without you are more amiable and relaxing.  Absence makes the heart grow fonder. I think I'd like you more if you were not around. 

@mapmapn, I’ll take a look at audiokinesis. Thank you. I realize that putting them in various places may be key. I worked all day at that — and didn’t get rid of several troublesome areas.

@erik_squires I have a lot of GIK stuff, as well as Real Traps. I found I had deadened the room too much in the 1-4k range and so had backed off. Some of the traps have limp membranes so perhaps some rearranging could help so I can do as you suggest without killing the "air" of the room.


Im running 4 rel subs in a room. They are all crossed over around 55. Very low gain. 
Its awesome.