out-of-control subwoofer--advice welcome

John Ashman · « **Reply #20 on:** 19 Jul 2005, 07:12 pm »

Okay, looking back at the original post, it looks like you've done that. So, is the bass *louder* now? It shouldn't have gotten boomier. The cheap thing is the capacitor bypass mod. I forget what parts we used though.

doug s. · « **Reply #21 on:** 19 Jul 2005, 08:38 pm »

yure not using a subwoofer - yure using a woofer!

get yourself an outboard x-over, a cheap used solid state amp, & some *subwoofers*

also, check your pm

doug s.

flintstone · « **Reply #22 on:** 19 Jul 2005, 08:44 pm »

You could pick up a cheap Paradigm X-30 crossover for around $100...many other options for a little or a lot more also. The Paradigm does work pretty well for a $100 IMO.

Make or buy some bass traps.

Dave

MaxCast · « **Reply #23 on:** 19 Jul 2005, 08:58 pm »

Lot's of great advise given here!!

I say first of all, get the correct cut off for your sub. You can still run the zeros full range if you want. I think this will be the biggest improvement.

I second the Merchand xo. I ran my speakers full and brought in the subs under them. Was good. Got the Merchand and it got better.

Does your system give you your required output levels??

Get a test CD and a meter so you can check your placement for peaks and valleys. You can also use this for blending your sub and mains together.

kaxixi · « **Reply #24 on:** 19 Jul 2005, 09:43 pm »

John, it is indeed an SW1. Not deep, but used to be nice and tight, back when I ran the speakers through the sub. In that setup, the amps were bridged to provide 180 watts per channel. I wanted to try this new setup for two reasons:

1. My amps aren't perfectly matched, so I thought this might help balance the left and right channels.
2. I wanted to try biamping, even if it meant dropping to 60 watts per channel (still loud enough for my tiny living room).

The result is that the mid and upper region sound better, and the bass sounds awful. REALLY awful--even my girlfriend complained about it.

It sounds like one solution might be a passive crossover before the amps--marchand actually sells one, but it is super expensive (like 400 bucks!!).

kaxixi · « **Reply #25 on:** 19 Jul 2005, 09:45 pm »

Quote from: MaxCast

Lot's of great advise given here!!

I say first of all, get the correct cut off for your sub. You can still run the zeros full range if you want. I think this will be the biggest improvement.

I second the Merchand xo. I ran my speakers full and brought in the subs under them. Was good. Got the Merchand and it got better.

Does your system give you your required output levels??

Get a test CD and a meter so you can check your placement for peaks and valleys. You can also use this for blending your sub and mains together.

MaxCast. Can you recommend a test CD and a meter? Is there software to do this? This is something I'd like to learn to do, regardless of the approach I finally take. Thanks.