Need help with multi-sub setup

[Vince73]

Hi,
I would need help with my setup to achieve good bass in my home theater room. I've already some acoustic treatments in place (bass traps and diffusors) but still not completly satisfied with the sound. Here are my gear, room config and some measurements. Hope someone will be able to help me with this to get the best out of my gear and finaly get a good bass sound!

GEAR:
AVR : Yamaha RX-V675
Front SP : Polk Audio RTiA9
Subs : 2 x Klipsch R-120SW
Surround SP : Athena AS-B1
Center : Athena AS-C1
Rear surround : Klipsch R-51M
Don't have any MiniDSP or EQ

I've been doing a lot of test with the AVR EQ but starting to be out of idea!

Do you need distances from LP?

Do you think it's possible to improve and get a smoother response?

What can I do to improve?


Thank you very much in advance!

 

[Sonnie Parker]

Hi Vince...

It's better if you simply copy and paste your photos into your post so that others that don't know you will see your photos. Not many will trust opening up a zip file from someone we don't know. It's very easy to include your images... right click and copy... then right click in the post and paste. The system will attach it.

If you have no equalization with your system, and you don't if all you have is what you listed, then your only option is to move your subs around for better placement response. Place one in the front corner to corner load it and see what your response looks like... adjust the phase on it some. It will likely take a LOT of placement experience, phase (or distance) settings... and lots of test measurements. Your only options are trial and error when you don't have any type of equalization.

 

[Vince73]

Hi Sonnie! Oh OK sorry about the pictures. I’ll do as you told in few minutes. About EQ, I’m ready to do whatever it takes to learn and to get a better sound curve! Should I go with MiniDSP 2x4HD? If so, I will!

 

[Vince73]

Here are the pics!

 

[Sonnie Parker]

Yes... if you can get a miniDSP with Dirac Live, that would be the best solution, short of going with an AVR that has Dirac Live. The YPAO on the Yamaha is not really a good solution, especially for subwoofers.

Nice room... and location of those subs is likely some of your issue. I'd place them closer to the front wall on both sides, which will give you some better room gain, then you may have to eq the peaks when you get a processor.

 

[Nordo]

Where you have the subs placed currently, you will definitely get combing and cancellation zones (google sub power alley).
Google "multsubs Todd Welti" for his PDF white paper on optimal number of subs and their placement.
Also Matthew Poes has just posted a relative video on AV NIRVANA.

 

[Vince73]

Thank you guys! Coming back from vacations.

@Sonnie : thanks! I know YPAO is not the best and actually do not manage subs at all! :-(
Considering the price of miniDSP and the software (400$ for both) I think it worth considering investing in a AVR with DirecLive. Not much on the market from my research, but I saw you get one. Your toughts after few time of using it? Worth it?

@Nordo : thanks! Still reading the paper. I will look at the video in few time!

 

[Sonnie Parker]

You could get an AVR with DL... I think NAD is probably your best bet, but the Yamaha is a very good AVR short of the YPAO, and personally I'd rather have a miniDSP with the software +BM to manage my subs, as the onboard DL is not as flexible and does not offer anywhere near the settings of the separate miniDSP unit. You get the time delay adjustment for each channel and parametric eq for each channel... much more robust that what comes with the AVR. If they start offering BM with the AVR units, then I'd be more receptive to them. I have the NAD and I have a miniDSP with BM.