Frequency and Waterfall from REW. Note dip from roughly 80 to 100 Hz
1 - 20 of 20 Posts
I broke out my UMIK-1 and REW again today for testing. Rather than turning off my 3 Buttkicker amps (for each person to separately control their seats via IR), I unplugged their power cords. In doing this, I accidentally found part of the problem with my bass response may have been in that the Buttkicker amps are after a “Y” that goes to one of the subs and then daisy chains between the Buttkicker amps – I think it was sucking up some of the LFE signal to the subs. I played some test movie material that had maxed out at 116.8 dB a couple days ago that now plays back at 127.5 dB. Huge difference!
So, at this point, I believe the PB-13Us are working as they should be and the question becomes whether that is good enough. I tested the subs in 3 tunes – Sealed, 15 Hz and 20 Hz. The sealed tuning yielded unbelievable extension down low and all three tunings were close in terms of the peak max dB from the movie material. All three tunings had a very nice flat frequency response between roughly 20 and 90 Hz with a 4 – 8 dB drop to 100 Hz. For whatever reason, the sealed tuning did not seem to have has much tactile feedback for me. The 15 Hz tuning is the one I’ll use at it provides good extension down low and seems to have as much tactile feedback as the 20 Hz tuning.
I attached a diagram of my theater room to show the relationship of my subs to my listening position. With peaks of 120 dB, my left and center (MLP) seats vibrated like tactile transducers were on a low setting and I really couldn’t feel much in my chest. In my right seat, which is right next to a sub, there was relatively strong vibration in my chair and mild punch I could feel in my chest.
With peaks of 125 – 128 dB, my left and center seats had strong vibrations and I felt a light sensation in my chest. With my right seat next to a sub, there were strong chair vibrations and a definite, strong tactile feeling in the chest – this is exactly what I had been looking for.
How do I re-create the same sensation in my left and center seating positions that I felt in the right seat next to one of the subs? Is the goal to get something like dual PSA S3600i subs that should add at least 6 to 10 dB greater response than my PB-13Us through most of the bass spectrum throughout the entire room? Does the displacement difference between my current 13.5” driver and an 18” driver create greater tactile feel? Or, am I better off adding another PB-13U next to my left seat for a great near-field experience there? Could I also add a relatively small sub (not more than 16” wide by 22” high) placed behind the center (MLP) seat be able to create tactile feel in the chest in that seating position?
So, at this point, I believe the PB-13Us are working as they should be and the question becomes whether that is good enough. I tested the subs in 3 tunes – Sealed, 15 Hz and 20 Hz. The sealed tuning yielded unbelievable extension down low and all three tunings were close in terms of the peak max dB from the movie material. All three tunings had a very nice flat frequency response between roughly 20 and 90 Hz with a 4 – 8 dB drop to 100 Hz. For whatever reason, the sealed tuning did not seem to have has much tactile feedback for me. The 15 Hz tuning is the one I’ll use at it provides good extension down low and seems to have as much tactile feedback as the 20 Hz tuning.
I attached a diagram of my theater room to show the relationship of my subs to my listening position. With peaks of 120 dB, my left and center (MLP) seats vibrated like tactile transducers were on a low setting and I really couldn’t feel much in my chest. In my right seat, which is right next to a sub, there was relatively strong vibration in my chair and mild punch I could feel in my chest.
With peaks of 125 – 128 dB, my left and center seats had strong vibrations and I felt a light sensation in my chest. With my right seat next to a sub, there were strong chair vibrations and a definite, strong tactile feeling in the chest – this is exactly what I had been looking for.
How do I re-create the same sensation in my left and center seating positions that I felt in the right seat next to one of the subs? Is the goal to get something like dual PSA S3600i subs that should add at least 6 to 10 dB greater response than my PB-13Us through most of the bass spectrum throughout the entire room? Does the displacement difference between my current 13.5” driver and an 18” driver create greater tactile feel? Or, am I better off adding another PB-13U next to my left seat for a great near-field experience there? Could I also add a relatively small sub (not more than 16” wide by 22” high) placed behind the center (MLP) seat be able to create tactile feel in the chest in that seating position?
Attachments
The PSA S3600i subwoofers have arrived! I attached some photos of one next to one of my SVS PB-13 Ultras for comparison. One of the reasons for choosing the S3600i subs was the fact that they have a footprint nearly identical to the PB-13 Ultras. The S3600i is a bit taller and not quite as wide. The depth of both are nearly identical. I have the speaker grill removed in one of the photos to show the differences between the drivers. As can easily be seen, the S3600i is a sealed subwoofer whereas the PB-13U is ported but can also be configured in a sealed configuration.
I'll try to post next week feedback comparing the two subs as well as commenting on the difference in tactile feel and impact between the two subs.
I'll try to post next week feedback comparing the two subs as well as commenting on the difference in tactile feel and impact between the two subs.
Attachments
Going from dual 13.5" drivers to quad 18's certainly should give you a boost, but it sounds like it was even better than anticipated. It nice when a plan comes together, isn't it? 
1 - 20 of 20 Posts
