I only got about an hour to play around with the 990 but I'm having MAJOR problems getting my sub calibrated with the rest of the speakers.

I have dual SVS's running through a Behringer DEQ2496 that has a RTA graph that shows EXACTLY what is going to my subs. I took all my equalization off and here's what I found...

1) on FM - sub signal goes up to about 450 Hz
2) sub test tone seems OK - up to 80 and rolls off like it should.
3) cd input on PLIIx has a sub tone crackling so loud around reference (i can start to hear it at -10dB) that it's at -60dB from reference at 20Hz to 60Hz. If I put cd input to Stereo this goes away.
4) the dB correction for the sub when I'm calibrating the speakers DOESN'T WORK. Moving it up and down doesn't change the SPL of the subs.

This means I can't get the subs integrated with the rest of my speakers. The main source I use on the CD input is Optical in from a CD player. When I was playing music, I watched signal up to about 300Hz on the RTA so it almost seemed like the 80Hz crossover wasn't working either.

What should I do now? I thought digital inputs + bass management worked correctly on the 990? My subs are currently not calibratable....

I'm using balanced out for everything but the subs - subs are unbalanced out.

AndrewS,

One thing I can tell you. If you are listening to a stereo source with a stereo surround mode selected (Stereo, Bypass, or Upsample) you can not adjust the sub via the "Channel Calibration" menu. This threw me off at first as well until I figured out to make adjusments in a 2-channel surround mode, you need to go into the "Surround Config" menu and use the 2-channel offset level and you will then hear a difference.

When calibrating for a surround mode (DD PL2x, DTS, etc) you CAN and should adjust the sub level through the "Channel Calibration" menu.

I may be ble to help you more. I had 2 SVS 20-39CS+ subs hooked up to my 990 at first. Tell us which model you have. I am assuming they are passive.

I've got dual SVS 20-39 PCi's. Not passive. Actually, one is a PCi, the other is a PC with a PCi woofer replacement - but with the original PC amp.

so what you're telling me is that I can set the sub level if I set the DVD input - and then go back to CD and the sub level should still be good? Or if not, I can use the 2 channel offset to drop it a little?

I had my subs on my Ref31 set to about 4dB hotter than the mains. PCi's volume are set to the 2nd notch past "Min" - probably about 1/3 up. I have the crossover bypass turned on both the subs.

I'm still worried about the PLIIx sub "static" from 20Hz to 60Hz as I turn up the volume. I get this from both the balanced and unbalanced outputs on the 990. The balanced connection isn't fully balanced the whole way - it's balanced from the 990 to the Behringer - but it's TRS to RCA to the sub.

AndrewS,

That was exactly what I was trying to explain about the sub level.

I found it has sounded better in my system to actually set the crossover on the sub instead of deactivating it. I do this via the SMS-1, but you should be able to do it with the knob on the sub. It may not sound better in your system, but again, it did help tighten up the sound in mine.

I am not sure as to the cracking noise. You may want to check your connections or perhaps try a different cable(s) to the sub(s).

The current cables from my sub to pre are the same ones I've been using for years and were dead quiet on my Ref31.

This crackling noise in the subs only appears when the 990 is in PLIIx...

My cable path from one of the subs is....
RCA to 1/4" TRS to Behringer DEQ2496
XLR from Behringer DEQ2496 to RCA to 990.

I do have crossovers built into the SVS amps - I'll try turning them on. Should I set them to match the 80Hz crossover? That seems like I'd be double filtering the bass - or should I set the SVS amp crossover a bit higher - like 100-120Hz just to make sure I don't get the higher signal bleed through?

I'm going to go try calibrating the sub in DVD mode instead of CD - when I set the level in the Channel Calibration menu this way, does it carry over to the CD channel which I can then notch down if necessary using the 2-channel offset?

Anyone have an idea what the auto calibration is using as a reference level? Is it 75db or 85db?

(I really need to change my user name. Just received my 990/7125 and had the same question when calibrating the sub. Was adjusting the gain but nothing was happening.)

When I put the volume to 0dB and check my SPL meter - it looks like 75dB to me.

More wierdness while calabrating...
1) Using RoomEQ Wizard for sub calibration - I can't use analog connection from my sound card while calabrating because of the known issues. I used a digital out from my soundcard. Sub range signal (20Hz to 200Hz) went through my subs AND my center channel also for some reason. 990 set for PLII for this source. Don't know if it's a RoomEQ sweep bug or a 990 issue.

2) Digital input from my cd player - using "Upsample" as the mode for CD on the 990 - I don't think the crossover is working here - I can clearly see strong 80Hz - 120Hz signals. I set a high cut filter for -15dB at 160Hz on the Behringer just to tame down the full range signals.

More as I keep testing

The auto calibration is probably going for 75dB - that's the point Outlaw recommends for manual calibration.

Tell me if I have this right.....

The Low pass slope on the subwoofer is 24dB per octave and I have a crossover at 80Hz. Let's say a 60dB signal across the band (20Hz to 20kHz) is sent to the sub (digital connection). That signal would be 60dB from 20Hz to 80Hz and start sloping down dropping to 36dB by 160Hz, and 12dB by 320Hz. Is that correct?

I am beginning to really experiment with the sub settings myself. I got my acoustic panels installed today and they made a nice difference in sound quality. I have also been trying to dial in the SMS-1 (a very very powerful piece of equipment).

I am quickly seeing that getting the sub to integrate smoothly and dialing in a flat frequency response through room treatment and the SMS-1 are quite easily making the biggest difference to my system I have ever heard.

I have the crossover on the 990 set to 80Hz and have the SMS-1 cutting things off at 100Hz with a 24dB per octave rolloff. On the other end I have the subsonic cutoff on the SMS-1 set to 22Hz with a 48dB per octave rolloff.

Out of curiosity, do you still get the static if you take the BFD out of the chain? I understand you want to use this piece, but I was just thinking you could try and if the issue cleared up you would know it is the cabling between the BFD and the amp or the 990, or there is an issue with the combination of the BFD/990 assuming you know the BFD was working fine with another setup before.

Yes, if you calibrate the sub on any input it will carry over to any other input. You are thinking correctly. I always calibrate the DD+PL2X mode first, then adjust the 2-channel offset if I need to for 2-channel sources. I have found with the room treatment and the SMS-1, I don't really have to use the offset anymore though.

I heard sound coming from my center today when dialing in the SMS-1. However, I think this should occur as the SMS-1 is connected to the 990 with L/R analog connections. Thinking on this now, I really need to investigat this further. If the bass managment is not working on the analog inputs, as many have stated, that would be why with the sub turned off I was still getting sound at the full dB level (not really rolled off) below the crossover of 80Hz on the 990 through the other channels.

If your unit was set to PLII with a digital input, I would assume you would get some from all channels. Correct me if I am missing something please.

I haven't seen any anomalies with the crossover using the digital connection from my CD player.

I believe you are correct (or pretty close to it if not) on your assumption of the rolloff slope.

Doug...

The bass management issues - as I understand them - are supposed to be only from an analog input - cd player or dvd player connected via analog. The subs are hooked to an analog output - as are the rest of the pre/outs.

I already tried taking out the DEQ2496 (a step up from the BFD) and it didn't do anything to quell the crackle. I'm still experimenting though.

My SMS-1 is connected via analog to the Video2 connection. I may move it to the 7.1 and see if it makes any difference.