Bass is quiet from Subwoofer

[Gamingphreek]

I'm running an Onkyo RC-260 (Same as TX-SR608 minus THX cert and PC-Input) along with Energy Take Classic 5.1 Speakers.

I mounted the speakers according to THX specifications regarding their angles and heights relative to my central seating position.

I turned off all Dynamic Leveling garbage and configured everything prior to running Audyssey 2EQ. After running, it calibrated my Subwoofer at a -15db gain (The maximum adjustment for the Receiver). I turned the gain on the back of the subwoofer down to 1/4 volume and reran the calibration- it came back with a -6db gain.

The Take Classic's specify 110hz as a crossover frequency (I did 120hz because the receiver goes in increments of 20hz). I know they are very capable speakers, but they definitely require a subwoofer (Which Audyssey has all but taken out of my system).

When watching Black Hawk Down in Linear PCM, it sounds good, but it is missing that Low Frequency thump of the Black Hawk Rotors or the Low Drum of the M-60E SAW. I am hesitant to turn the sub up to what I feel are acceptable levels until someone can give me some advice as to what is going on.

Thanks,
-Kevin

 

[Emulex]

try a 12" sub instead of the 8" - something with its own low& high pass band filter. my old crappy sony 12" destroyed hard drives and rattled windows at -6db gain.

 

[vi edit]

Audessy sucks with subs IMHO. It's always put them lower than I like. Bump to "0" or even + a few ticks and then use the gain on the back of the sub to dial in from there.

 

[queequeg99]

Audessy sucks with subs IMHO.

I don't have an Audyssey equipped receiver so I cannot comment from experience. But I have read a number of comments over at AVSforum.com that have complained about Audyssey's performance with subs. It can be a bit of a hit or miss proposition.

 

[the DRIZZLE]

A lot of people run Audyssey then cheat the sub back up a few dbs to suit their taste. Just bump it in 2db increments untill you are happy with the sound. If you get to 0 and its still not enough I would start to turn up the gain on the sub.

 

[Sephire]

I ignore the calibration settings of Audyssey for my two subs. I set them at 80hz then at 12 o clock volume setting.

I want my room to shake a bit :biggrin:

 

[Gamingphreek]

Well Audyssey is good at measuring the distance of the speakers while factoring in the circuity delay. I also found that it was good at leveling the other speakers -- just not the subwoofer.

It isn't good at measuring the the LFE Crossover. It seems to think that my mains and surrounds have a crossover at 80hz (THX Spec) and my Center channel should have a crossover at 60hz. The Energy Take Classics are good, they are not that good - I bumped it all up to 120hz (The manual says 110hz)

I left the trim the way it was, but bumped the gain on the back of the sub back up to the 12 o'clock mark. Seemed to be a good balance while still remaining unlocalizable.

How much better is the MultEQ (XT) better than the 2EQ?

 

[KayGee]

How much better is the MultEQ (XT) better than the 2EQ?

I have the TX-NR5008 and didn't like the sound either after the Audyssey calibration; found the bass too low for my tastes.

 

[novasatori]

How much better is the MultEQ (XT) better than the 2EQ?

see: http://www.audyssey.com/technology/multeq.html

My previous receiver had 2EQ and the newer one I have has MultEQ XT and the difference is quite large, as should be expected.

The biggest difference will be the filter though, not the levels. You will still want to tweak the level manually. I tweaked my subwoofer levels, even with MultEQ XT. It sounded great when calibrated, but I like mine a bit lower since I watch mostly late at night, and I don't want to disturb people in the house/neighbors.

Bass is just one of those personal preference things...