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Overview:
The goal in adding a subwoofer to any multi-channel audio system is to achieve as flat a
frequency response curve as possible, in your particular room, with your particular system,
through the crossover region and to as low as your subwoofer will allow. This is not to say that
there is no room for adjustment from this point to allow for personal taste. Rather, it is the place
to start.
The steps, in order, are:
1.
Polarity Test.
You never want to lug the subwoofer around the room looking for the spot
where it will sound best if the polarity is reversed.
2.
First Volume Calibration.
During the placement exercise (pun intended) you'll listen for
bass notes of a music program that are of the same volume (no boomy notes or weak
notes). If the subwoofer isn't at least closely calibrated to begin with, that will occur at
any spot the subwoofer is placed.
3.
Placement.
As in real estate, location, location, location.
4.
Relative Phase Adjustment.
One of the more important tweaks to smooth out the frequency
response.
5.
Final Volume Level Adjustment.
After tweaking all of the above, a final subwoofer volume
level tweak will get you there.
NOTE:
I've left out the step of tweaking the crossover slopes of the satellites and the subwoofer.
Although it's a very important tweak, it's beyond the capability of the vast majority of multi-channel
systems, and is a rather involved discussion for a more advanced setup guide than this one is intended
to be.
Calibration discs (Avia, Video Essentials, etc.)
I have little experience with these setup discs so I can't offer an opinion as to which is preferred,
or why. I have Chesky's setup disc and actually found it annoying. If you have or have interest
in any of these setup discs, search the forum and pose the questions you may have. I'm sure
you'll get the answers you're looking for and end up with an acceptable method for level
calibration.
I use the calibration tones in my Pre/Pro in conjunction with the RS SPL meter (digital version)
set up on a tripod at the listening position, at ear height (when seated). I have found this
method of level calibration to be very acceptable.
I've recently found an easy way to verify this method, and it's described as an option to try
under LEVEL ADJUSTMENT, below.
