Volume Setting on VTF-3 Mk 2 ?

[peterba]

I'm curious, what is the volume setting others are using with their VTF-3 Mk. 2 sub? My system has a 6x100 Watt amp for my main speakers and I'm using the LFE out to the sub. When I calibrate the levels using test tones & an SPL meter, my sub's volume control ends up very low (1/2 way between min and the first marking ... about 8 o'clock ... barely turned up at all). I realize the sub has a powerful amp, so I was expecting it to be low, but I thought it would be more around the 11-12 o'clock range.

Any insights are appreciated.

Cheers
Peter.

p.s. I'm driving a very big room and suspect I may have some very low frequency resonances that are biasing my calibration results. I have not tried to optimally place the sub, or treat the room ... yet!

[Dudley]

The gain on that sub is quite high so a very low knob is not unusual. How does it sound? Does it fill the room with bass?

[peterba]

Right now it doesn't sound so good in the listening position. It is currently in the front right corner of the room and there are noticable nodes and resonances. I have to build a long cable and start moving the beast around to find a better spot (that also has a decent WAF). Near field it rocks ... I'm very impressed.

[Joe Mags]

I'm having the same result with a VTF-2 mark 2. See my post about volume trimming down the page. My dial is so low that the adjustment is very coarse. I am in the process of e-mail correspondance with DR. Hsu about how to reduce the gain on the amp. If you send the amp section back to Hsu they will make the mod for a fee. I am probably going to do it myself once I have all the information from Dr. Hsu. I have been forwarned however that this will void the warranty. Good luck with your set up.

[cschang]

What about adjusting the trim on the receiver end?

[tafguy]

I'm curious, what is the volume setting others are using with their VTF-3 Mk. 2 sub? My system has a 6x100 Watt amp for my main speakers and I'm using the LFE out to the sub. When I calibrate the levels using test tones & an SPL meter, my sub's volume control ends up very low (1/2 way between min and the first marking ... about 8 o'clock ... barely turned up at all). I realize the sub has a powerful amp, so I was expecting it to be low, but I thought it would be more around the 11-12 o'clock range.


peterba, I have the same situation using the VTF-2 MK2 with my stereo receiver NAD 320BEE, once calibrated I have the same sub volume markings like yours. But if I raise the volume, I will have sound distortion at high volume. I will trust more to the SPL meter to set it, so if it is low, it is at its correct marking.

Due to nature of the sub's which is a very high multiplier, even setting it at low volume, it will play loud. Most of today's receiver manufacturer tend to design receiver at higher volume at minimum dial so one would think that it is a very powerful receiver than one you have to rotate up to half to get the same power.

For example, with my other DD receiver, the volume of the sub is set a little higher in the 11 o'clock. With whatever the receiver I use in each corresponding volume setting, the sub just plays perfectly.

tafguy