do you have to "see" your subwoofer?

[HomeProducer]

Recently I moved to a different place and ordered some furniture, among them a nice office desk. I forgot that this office desk is closed in the back so that you don't see through. Now I wanted new monitors and thought of a satellite system. Now the problem: if I place the sub behind the desk, I don't see it. Is this a serious problem for these low frequencies? I could also place it directly under the desk but I dunno. Then the distance to the sub would be significantly smaller than to the satellites, and the desk could rumble and the sound wave flow would be also affected (in both cases).

what do you think?
thanks

[Strut78]

Ahh no! Placement and phase really makes the difference with a sub, use your ears and often the placement of a sub isn't as logical as it may seem, there are so many factors from the room that influence the sound at those frequencies. Move it around and see what works best.

[HomeProducer]

ok thanks

[jackthebear]

I remember when George Augspurger was out doing our rooms we spent over half the time setting up the subs.......don't underestimate how critical it is......

[HomeProducer]

Originally Posted by jackthebear

I remember when George Augspurger was out doing our rooms we spent over half the time setting up the subs.......don't underestimate how critical it is......

at least I have my measurement microphone and software ... in the past I could setup the sub.

[Andy Krehm]

Originally Posted by HomeProducer

at least I have my measurement microphone and software ... in the past I could setup the sub.

I think what Jack means is that they spent a lot of time moving and listening until the optimum placement was found.

Our room was also designed by a top-notch pro and we did the same thing. Stereo subs directly under the mains, then to the inside and then the outside.

I believe after that, the software came out and the levels and rolloff were fine tuned.

[jackthebear]

Originally Posted by Andy Krehm

I think what Jack means is that they spent a lot of time moving and listening until the optimum placement was found.

Our room was also designed by a top-notch pro and we did the same thing. Stereo subs directly under the mains, then to the inside and then the outside.

I believe after that, the software came out and the levels and rolloff were fine tuned.

Thank you Andy.....you translated it perfectly....

Speaking of software and mics.....I was actually surprised how little of that GA used.....he had a set up on his lappy but it only got used every now and again....

I think his favorite tool is this James Taylor CD he played all the time mastered by Greg Calbi.....massive subs on it......but hey if the hat fits.....

[ORC]

Originally Posted by jackthebear

Thank you Andy.....you translated it perfectly....

Speaking of software and mics.....I was actually surprised how little of that GA used.....he had a set up on his lappy but it only got used every now and again....

I think his favorite tool is this James Taylor CD he played all the time mastered by Greg Calbi.....massive subs on it......but hey if the hat fits.....

Software is fine, but final tuning by ear is where its at. I've got lots of disks that i know quite well, and one disk that I know like the back of my hand. With this one disk, I can easily determine what is or isn't going on in almost any mix or mastering room, then i can compensate accordingly.

[HomeProducer]

ok thanks guys!!

[diggo]

make sure you read this:

Harman subwoofer paper

you'll also find related info in Sean Olive's excellent blog:

Audio Musings by Sean Olive

[HomeProducer]

Originally Posted by diggo

make sure you read this:

Harman subwoofer paper

you'll also find related info in Sean Olive's excellent blog:

Audio Musings by Sean Olive

the first link is extraordinary good, a perfect source for an electronic engineer like me.

big thanks.thumbsup