Calibrating an MBM-12 with a dual sub-out receiver/Audyssey?

[RobZ]

I'm looking for advice on calibrating the following:

-Onkyo 3008 w/ dual sub outputs and Audyssey MultEQ XT32
-PB13 Ultra in front of room
-MBM-12 (MKI but may change to dual MBM MKII) nearfield
-Speakers are Klipsch THX Ultras

On my previous Onkyo (single sub out) I calibrated for the true sub and then added the MBM and made manual adjustments. On the new receiver there are two sub outputs for seperate calibration.

[jrittz]

From what I understand...

Calibrate one sub at a time...your goal is to have the receiver/Audyssey set them to about -2/-3 db's after the first measurement at the main listening position. Once each sub is calibrated to -2/-3, flip them both on and run your calibrations. Audyssey MultEQ XT32 is supposed to calibrate them individually which is your best bet. I would still recommend doing the sub crawl to find your best positions.

It seems to me the main sub would be better near the front stage area...if you can find a good spot up there and the MBM being better near the seating area...exactly what you said in your post.

I'd be interested in knowing what your PB13 Ultra sounds like...let me know. :)

[bsoko]

Go here for proper method of calibrating a true sub with a MBM: http://forum.hsuresearch.com/showpost.php?p=33939&postcount=33

[JerryMeeker]

I'm not sure either of the two answers addresses the original question--how can one get a proper Audyssey calibration using a MBM?

I have not seen this question raised on the Audyssey thread, and I recommend you take the question there. I would be very interested in hearing the responses.

As Pete knows, I am not convinced of the value of a separate driver to address mid-bass. My opinion is that money is better spent on a second true sub. There is no reason that two well placed true subs calibrated by XT32's Sub EQ HT (or an Audyssey sub equalizer) won't be able to achieve the seamless bass response the OP is looking for.

[talmadge]

Rob if you decide to sell your MBM mk1 let me know.
jaustin15@mac.com

[dnoyeb]

...
As Pete knows, I am not convinced of the value of a separate driver to address mid-bass. My opinion is that money is better spent on a second true sub. There is no reason that two well placed true subs calibrated by XT32's Sub EQ HT (or an Audyssey sub equalizer) won't be able to achieve the seamless bass response the OP is looking for.

That would depend on the frequency response of his mains wouldn't it?

[JerryMeeker]

That would depend on the frequency response of his mains wouldn't it?

IMO, any sub should be able to handle frequencies up to at least 100 Hz. It would surprise me if the OP had satellites that didn't have smooth response down to at least 100 Hz. So no, this doesn't change my original recommendation that a second sub is the wiser choice.

[RobZ]

Thanks for the responses. My mains are all Klipsch THX KL650s and my true sub is a PB13 Ultra. I have previously owned dual subs but still find I get more kick out of MBMs because I am often listening at lower levels (open room, late night listening).

[45_ACP_AUTO]

KL650's are good down to about 60-65. I set up a quite a few of them. My buddy had a PB13 Ultra with RF-7's and swapped the RF-7's and center with 3 KL650's. It sounded pretty good, we swapped the PB13Ultra with the KW120's and the KA1000 amp. Needless to say, it made the PB13 Ultra sound broke. We are going to try it with my VTF15 next to see what kind of results we get. He also has the Velodyne SMS-1 sub EQ. FYI, I am not crazy about the sub EQ in the xt32. If I were you I would get the SMS-1. The best bet would be sell youR pb13 and mbm and get 2 VTF15H & a SMS-1.