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If you are new to the world of stereo system setups, you may wonder how to tune a subwoofer. Many of the best speakers, after all, are subwoofers, and these speakers can benefit from good tuning every now and again. So why tune the best subwoofers, and what are the various methods to get this done? Keep reading to find out.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Subwoofer calibration, or tuning, is a crucial part of learning how to set up a subwoofer. This step ensures your system sounds its best if you are learning how to test a subwoofer. Once you learn how to wire a subwoofer and get everything going, calibration is likely your next procedure. Tuning is important no matter the setup, even if you just learned how to wire a subwoofer without an amp.
Insider Tip
You can also adjust the equalizer on your receiver, if you have one, to offer some slight tuning via frequency adjustments.
You can get by without tuning, sure, but it could lessen the overall experience when conducting that Martin Logan vs SVS review.
Each system is different, and each subwoofer is different. In other words, there isn’t exactly a universal tuning method. There are, however, some steps you will likely have to consider.
Many modern subwoofers feature a fine-tuning dial or knob that adjusts the resonant frequency. You want to tune it to match the frequency exhibited by the other components in your stereo system. This process has a bit of an experimental nature, so adjust in small increments, listen, and then adjust again. In most cases, it should be calibrated (more or less) when you first use the subwoofer, so keep the fine-tuning dial at or around zero, making only the smallest of changes as necessary. A little goes a long way here.
If your speaker has a phase adjustment on the knob, make adjustments so the subwoofer is not in conflict with the rest of your setup. Again, this is an experimental process and unique to each setup, so go slowly and start at zero, working your way up the phase chain to 180. Listen for when the sound is at its fullest and seems to be in harmony with the other speakers in your setup. You want a sound that reinforces the bass and does not cancel it in any way. Feel free to do this every now and again as needed.
STAT: When setting up a subwoofer, it’s critical to balance low-frequency output with the rest of the speakers. (source)
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