There are common subwoofer set-up errors that could be causing some problems with calibration. Double check all of these things before you try to re-calibrate:
In The AVR or Pre/Pro:
- All speakers set to small.
- Crossover set to 80 Hz.
- Subwoofer set to on/yes.
- "LFE + Mains" or any other channel remix options set to off/no.
- Dolby Dynamic Range Compression (DRC) aka Midnight Mode circuit set to off/no.
- LFE Channel (the ".1" in 5.1) is enabled (Pioneer MCACC). This is not the subwoofer channel.
- LFE channel level is set to maximum (i.e., unattenuated) value.
- THX (or any other) bass limiter circuit set to off/no.
- Subwoofer pre-out level to -5 (on a scale of -10 to +10).
- THX Ultra 2 Boundary Gain Compensation is set to off/no.
- Standing Wave (Pioneer Advanced MCACC) feature is set to off/no.
In The DVD Player:
- Output set to bitstream (digital output via the digital coax or toslink) and PCM is not enabled. The AVR should be seeing a full DD/DTS signal.
- Dolby DRC (aka Midnight Mode) circuit set to off/no.
At The Subwoofer:
- All ports open (if sub is variable tune) — you can retune lower later-on if needed.
- Match tune switch to port configuration (if sub is variable tune).
- Set low pass filter switch to "disable".
- Set the phase control to 0 degrees.
See also: Avia Subwoofer Calibration Tips.
Also, Ed has written these great subwoofer reviews:
- Klipsch RT-12d Subwoofer (Secrets)
- Onix Rocket UFW-12 Subwoofer (Secrets)
- SVS PB12-Plus Subwoofer (Secrets)
- Triad InRoom Gold PowerSub Subwoofer for Custom Installation (Secrets)
- Paradigm Servo-15 V2 Subwoofer (Secrets)
- Atlantic Technology 642e SB Subwoofer (Secrets)
- Polk Audio PSW505 Subwoofer (Secrets)
- NHT SW12 (Secrets)
- Krix Seismix 3 Mk2 (Secrets)
- Acoustic Visions MRS-10 Subwoofer (Secrets)
- SVS PB10-ISD (Secrets)
- Hsu Research STF-2 (HTF)
- SVS PB2-Ultra (HTF)
- SVS PB2-Plus (HTF)
- Hsu Research STF-3 vs. SVS PB1-ISD (HTF)
