Just received my 990 recently and I also have a bass related question. First thing I noticed is that the auto calibrate system does not recognize my subwoofer? The test tone it sends to it is crazy loud and sounds like it's full range. I don't care much about the auto calibrate not functioning but I find that when I try to set my speaker levels with my sound meter I need to turn the sub setting down to -10db. This sounds very low on the test tone, and in fact is very low when playing music or watching movies. I have to go in and set my sub level to about + 8db to have it actually sound correct. I have a passive sub, so I have no cross-over or volume control at the sub. I need to adjust everything at the processor. I have run this same set up through both Sony and Harmankardon recievers, and not had this problem setting sublevels.
So why the discrepancy between the test tone level and actual play back level.
I think the test tone is full range to the sub and have read similar posts from others?