sub placement in monitoring

lazarus · 30th May 2008, 09:58 PM

I think I have a decent understanding of where to place my reference montiors from reading this forum, However I am a little unclear of where to place the sub?

johnmarkpainter · 30th May 2008, 10:02 PM

Depends upon the size and construction of the Sub.

jmp

lazarus · 30th May 2008, 10:03 PM

assuming it's a 10" KRK.

bpape · 31st May 2008, 12:56 PM

There are SO many variables for sub placment. It's going to depend on whre you're going to cross it over to the mains, the size of your room, what the characteristics of the monitors are, etc.

General rule of thumb:

Corners give the most sheer output but also usually the worst in terms of smooth frequency response.

To start, try using prime numbers. For instance, set the sub 1/9 of the length, 1/7 of the width, and 1/7 of the height of the room. Don't forget the height dimension. That boundary is just as vaild as the walls and many times your issues are height related (especially in 8' high rooms). We're actually working on a new product that's a combo sub stand/bass absorber just for that purpose.

Next thing is to cut the monitors with as sharp a xover slope as you can. Play with the sub slope as needed to tweak the level of the overlap. IF you have a good xover, you can also potentially 'cheat' a little by leaving a gap. For instance, if you have a peak at 70Hz, set the cutoff of the monitors at 80Hz and the sub at 60-65Hz but use a shallow slope on the sub.

Lots of tricks when using a sub. It just takes some effort to find what works best for you.

Bryan

Bob Olhsson · 31st May 2008, 02:47 PM

For accurate monitoring as opposed to a pleasing entertainment experience, I highly reccomend one sub for each main speaker placed near that speaker to extend its low frequency response. "Bass management" simply has not translated well for everybody I know who is experienced. More pleasing sound at the expense of accuracy is hype that will come right back around and bite you.

Ethan Winer · 31st May 2008, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lazarus

I am a little unclear of where to place the sub?

The only way to know for sure where is best is to measure the LF response of your system and room at high resolution. More here:

Subwoofer Placement

--Ethan

datune · 1st June 2008, 10:10 PM

lazarus, I spent weeks trying to figure it out, and Ethan is (sadly, cause wouldn't we all prefer a much easier way) absolutely right. If you are serious about your speaker setup, you will HAVE to measure.

Read this:

Demo Room

Good luck!

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30th May 2008, 09:58 PM	#1
lazarus Gear Head Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 47	sub placement in monitoring I think I have a decent understanding of where to place my reference montiors from reading this forum, However I am a little unclear of where to place the sub?

31st May 2008, 12:56 PM	#4
bpape Gear addict Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: St. Louis(Wildwood), MO Posts: 435	There are SO many variables for sub placment. It's going to depend on whre you're going to cross it over to the mains, the size of your room, what the characteristics of the monitors are, etc. General rule of thumb: Corners give the most sheer output but also usually the worst in terms of smooth frequency response. To start, try using prime numbers. For instance, set the sub 1/9 of the length, 1/7 of the width, and 1/7 of the height of the room. Don't forget the height dimension. That boundary is just as vaild as the walls and many times your issues are height related (especially in 8' high rooms). We're actually working on a new product that's a combo sub stand/bass absorber just for that purpose. Next thing is to cut the monitors with as sharp a xover slope as you can. Play with the sub slope as needed to tweak the level of the overlap. IF you have a good xover, you can also potentially 'cheat' a little by leaving a gap. For instance, if you have a peak at 70Hz, set the cutoff of the monitors at 80Hz and the sub at 60-65Hz but use a shallow slope on the sub. Lots of tricks when using a sub. It just takes some effort to find what works best for you. Bryan __________________ I am serious, and don't call me Shirley Bryan Pape Lead Acoustical Designer GIK Acoustics

31st May 2008, 02:47 PM	#5
Bob Olhsson Motown legend Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Songwriter Gulch, Nashville TN Posts: 5,138	For accurate monitoring as opposed to a pleasing entertainment experience, I highly reccomend one sub for each main speaker placed near that speaker to extend its low frequency response. "Bass management" simply has not translated well for everybody I know who is experienced. More pleasing sound at the expense of accuracy is hype that will come right back around and bite you. __________________ Georgetown Masters 615 254-3233 Bob's room 615 385-8051 Music Industry 2.0

1st June 2008, 10:10 PM	#7
datune Gear nut Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 82	lazarus, I spent weeks trying to figure it out, and Ethan is (sadly, cause wouldn't we all prefer a much easier way) absolutely right. If you are serious about your speaker setup, you will HAVE to measure. Read this: Demo Room Good luck! __________________ "Never argue with an idiot. They will bring you down to their level and beat you with experience."

30th May 2008, 10:02 PM	#2
johnmarkpainter Gear nut Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Nashville Posts: 129	Depends upon the size and construction of the Sub. jmp

30th May 2008, 10:03 PM	#3
lazarus Gear Head Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 47	assuming it's a 10" KRK.

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