Setup for Hsu VTF3.3 when it's too "big" for my house...

[tman]

I have a 3.3 and just bought a Denon AVR-988. I have big room (6000 cu ft) and have both ports open. Audyssey max'd out (-12dB, 0.1ft) unable to set up my sub level with 85dB test tone with a 9 o'clock volume setting on the Hsu and no cross-over. Manually adjusted it with meter using the same test tones and at about 3 o'clock vol on sub, level correction is -6dB for 85dB tone. I recall some posts about 9 o'clock being recommended based on the gain. Can someone advise whether I should be using a higher o'clock setting and reducing the level correction to improve the sound-- probably can't get past the 5 o'clock position. Or should I close a port and up the dial further-- Some posters talked about sub sounding cleaner with both ports open. I don't have a lot of free time to experiment so hoping someone's already tested these things.

[bsoko]

Set up your sub as per the directions in the HSU sub manual that came with the sub. If you use a spl meter, set your sub to the same spl levels as your speakers, or if you want to run hot, set 3 or 4 higher. It all depends on how your ears hear it. All of use run our reciever EQ's and then set our subs up to what we want.

Bill

[Pete_Hsu]

Hi Tman,

I would recommend setting the volume knob on the subwoofer amp to about 9 or 10 o'clock, and then adjusting the subwoofer channel level on the receiver upwards to your tastes.

Set the crossover switch on the sub amp to 'out', and then set crossover/subwoofer level/subwoofer distance all through your receiver.

With your room size, assuming you want the highest output and punchiest sound possible, try running the subwoofer with port plug removed and bass extension switch on sub amp set to '2 port open' mode.

Sincerely,

[tman]

Pete,

I followed exactly what you outlined already. In process I had to dial the sub volume down considerably to match my other speakers. Right now I am at 3 o'clock on the sub dial and -6dB (dialed down) on the receiver to get reference level. The maximum channel correction on my sub is -12dB which will get me to maybe 5 o'clock on the dial.

The question is whether the sound is improved going to 9 o'clock position. If it does make a difference, how do I get the sub's output down enough that I can dial the volume up. Placement isn't really option for me since the corner was the only place I could fit it.

I'm rather surprised to have way too much output for a 6,000 cu ft room...

[bsoko]

You have the same size room as I have. I'm quite surprised that you have too much output for your room. Turn the sub gain down to 9 and set the reciever to -0. Listen to bass and adjust the reciever (-0 to -10) to what you want the bass to be. Better yet, get a spl meter and set all your speakers up to 75 spl.

Bill

[Pete_Hsu]

Generally it is better to set the volume knob on the subwoofer at a lower position (say, 9 or 10 o'clock or slightly above that) and then adjust the subwoofer channel level upwards on the receiver. That way, the auto-on will work better, and one can make finer adjustments to the subwoofer level. Note that with even a small turn on the subwoofer volume knob, output can increase exponentially. The receiver will let you make much more precise and fine-grained adjustments to the subwoofer level. So in my opinion, it would be best for you to lower the volume knob on the sub and raise the subwoofer channel level on your receiver, just as bsoko suggested.

[ZiggTheCat]

If I understood your posts, you've said you have the amp knob set low at 3 o'clock. But 3 o'clock is a high setting, almost as high as it goes. Unless the gain knob on your VTF 3.3 is different than the one on my STF-2, the gain knob can be adjusted from ~"7:30" (lowest setting) to ~"4:30" (highest setting), with the mid point being 12 o'clock. 9 o'clock is a low gain setting, 3' o'clock is a high gain setting. Which amp gain setting sounds best to you by ear before any reciever adjustment?

-Zigg

[bsoko]

If I understood your posts, you've said you have the amp knob set low at 3 o'clock. But 3 o'clock is a high setting, almost as high as it goes. Unless the gain knob on your VTF 3.3 is different than the one on my STF-2, the gain knob can be adjusted from ~"7:30" (lowest setting) to ~"4:30" (highest setting), with the mid point being 12 o'clock. 9 o'clock is a low gain setting, 3' o'clock is a high gain setting. Which amp gain setting sounds best to you by ear before any reciever adjustment?

-Zigg

Thanx Zigg - I assumed that he knew this, maybe he doesn't.

Bill

[tman]

I've been reaching over the sub to turn the dial so my clock references are backwards... All is right with the sub. At 9 o'clock facing the sub I am -6dB on the sub per SPL meter to reach 85dB (with -20dB tone) so sub is working well....

[bsoko]

I've been reaching over the sub to turn the dial so my clock references are backwards... All is right with the sub. At 9 o'clock facing the sub I am -6dB on the sub per SPL meter to reach 85dB (with -20dB tone) so sub is working well....

So, you are runniing your sub hot by +10 of reference. Your speaker settings using the reciever pink tone should be 75 spl by the meter. Your sub should be the same or maybe just 3 or 4 higher.

Bill

[tman]

Audyssey sets all my speakers to 85dB with a test tone for reaching reference level. After Audyssey; L, R, C are at about 0dB, SR, SL (more distant from the listening environment are at +3dB, and my sub is at 0.1ft and -6dB. I manually metered it with a Radio Shack analogue meter and get 85dB multiple locations within the listening environs for all channels.

[bsoko]

Excellent, then you are good to go!

Bill