mzpro - I'm curious did you apply any sort of roll off compensation to your sub calibration with the manual meter? It's well known that they roll off at low frequencies, and while the test tone is full range, the low frequencies seem emphasized by the nature of the sub, at least to my ears.

Rob

No Rob I didn't but in a week or so of listening have fined tuned the sub to a -4 or -3. Wasn't getting the sound I liked at -6.

Quick question while we ar eon the topic of subs....

When you have a dual sub setup, should one sub be turned off while calibrating? Whats the procedure for a dual sub setup?

Thanks for any help.

I'd have both subs on, since both will be in use at the same time.

If you want to get a bit picky, you may turn the test tone on and run each sub alone. Adjust each sub using the sub amp's gain control until the two give the same level at your listening position. Then you could turn both subs on and adjust the trim at the 990. Some of the dual sub users may have some first-hand feedback on whether that extra step is beneficial.

Both of the SVS 20-39CS+ subs I use are passive, I try and get the location of the subs correct by connecting and placing one in my listening position and wlaking around the room with the SPL meter to find the best response. Then, I locate the sub there. I repeat the process with the second sub. Being the SVS subs are passive, they have no phase, level, etc. When I get the SMS-1 I will compare the results of its frequency response measurement to those I have taken with the SPL meter and relocate the subs if necessary. I will then balance both subs at once with the SMS-1. The only other adjustment I could possibly make with the passive subs is to switch the polarity of the wires on one to throw it 180 degrees off from the other. If your two subs are powered, I would follow the same location process, but then you have more parameters to play with than I do such as phase, level, crossover, etc.

Good luck!

I have two Outlaw LFM-1's

I'll have to extend my sub cable but it is possible to put it right in front of the listening position. I basically have only one area to put the subs...which is on my stage behind or to the side of the screen wall. Otherwise the subs will be in view. I know I will probably sacrifice some performance with this limited placement.

I will begin by calibrating as gonk said and maybe another day I will extend the cable and see if I can better place the two subs. Im satisfied with the bass now in all seats (2 rows of 5) but Im sure I could eek out a little better performance all around if I took the time.

Thanks for the tips. If anyone else has any tips for a dual sub setup I would appreciate it.

Thanks!

Lou

I was never happy with the performance of my dual subs no matter how I adjusted them. I spent $100 on True RTA (the full version) and about $100 on a mic and mic preamp. I tested the subs together and each one seperately (with the mic at the listening position). The results were pretty startling & dramatic. I could get better results individually then with both on (due to cancellations). I ended up with a BFD (another $100!). My point in this long story is to try different combinations - you may be as surprised as I was. Oh, and the testing was a lot of fun also.

I found the distance measurement to be accurate, but the DB measurement was off. The 990 also thought I was using "small" speakers. That really hurt..

Anybody know of a site that walks you through setting up with a SPL meter? Something easy enough for a newbie like me.

scofow - its pretty easy. Just turn up the volume a bit - set your SPL meter so its registering well - I like to set the DB setting so that its reading around 0db on the meter - for me thats like 70DB. I use the radio shack meter. Use C weighting so its a bit slower and easier to read.
Then just go through the surround setup and adjust the volume on each channel until they are the same, or as close as you can get to the same.

Before you do all this, run the auto setup so it will identify the distance measurements for you - for me this setting is accurate - however others have had to get out a tape measure.

This is what I do, hopefully I've been doing it correctly! I'm sure someone will chime in if I'm wrong. Good luck.