Which is the right Subwoofer Phase?

[fid]

Hello,

I have a Rel Stadium III positioned on the left corner next to one of
the two front speakers, Vienna Acoustics Mahler. I have set the High
Level Crossover to 27Hz. I am still puzzled by the subwoofer phase
settings. I checked with a digital SPL meter in conjunction with Rives
test CD 2. Whet I set the phase to 0, the sub outputs more sound at
32hz, (93 db) 40hz (95db) and less at 25hz(80hz) and 20hz(77db). The
contrary happens when I switch phase to 180. I get higher output level
at 20hz (83db) and 25hz (80db), less at 32hz (88db) and 40hz (84db).
In few words, depending from the test tone I play I get audible
different results, as to say phase 180 setting and test tone 25Hz or
less would be fuller then 0. With phase set at 0 and test tone played
at 32hz or even 40hz would be audibly fuller.

Because It appears that phase set to 180 phase would flatten the low
region of the sound would in practical terms be the best choice for me
since my room interaction produces a huge peak right at 32hz and 40hz.
But my question is: theoretically which setting would be the ideal?

Please share your expertise.
Thank you.

[Theo Plopododopulus]

On Sat, 22 Sep 2007 19:32:49 -0000, fid > wrote:

>Hello,
>
>I have a Rel Stadium III positioned on the left corner next to one of
>the two front speakers, Vienna Acoustics Mahler. I have set the High
>Level Crossover to 27Hz. I am still puzzled by the subwoofer phase
>settings. I checked with a digital SPL meter in conjunction with Rives
>test CD 2. Whet I set the phase to 0, the sub outputs more sound at
>32hz, (93 db) 40hz (95db) and less at 25hz(80hz) and 20hz(77db). The
>contrary happens when I switch phase to 180. I get higher output level
>at 20hz (83db) and 25hz (80db), less at 32hz (88db) and 40hz (84db).
>In few words, depending from the test tone I play I get audible
>different results, as to say phase 180 setting and test tone 25Hz or
>less would be fuller then 0. With phase set at 0 and test tone played
>at 32hz or even 40hz would be audibly fuller.
>
>Because It appears that phase set to 180 phase would flatten the low
>region of the sound would in practical terms be the best choice for me
>since my room interaction produces a huge peak right at 32hz and 40hz.
>But my question is: theoretically which setting would be the ideal?
>
>Please share your expertise.
>Thank you.


Why don't U get a pair of headphones and stop making the neigbours
lives a bloody misary!!!!!!!!

[Eeyore]

fid wrote:

> Hello,
>
> I have a Rel Stadium III positioned on the left corner next to one of
> the two front speakers, Vienna Acoustics Mahler. I have set the High
> Level Crossover to 27Hz. I am still puzzled by the subwoofer phase
> settings. I checked with a digital SPL meter in conjunction with Rives
> test CD 2. Whet I set the phase to 0, the sub outputs more sound at
> 32hz, (93 db) 40hz (95db) and less at 25hz(80hz) and 20hz(77db). The
> contrary happens when I switch phase to 180. I get higher output level
> at 20hz (83db) and 25hz (80db), less at 32hz (88db) and 40hz (84db).
> In few words, depending from the test tone I play I get audible
> different results, as to say phase 180 setting and test tone 25Hz or
> less would be fuller then 0. With phase set at 0 and test tone played
> at 32hz or even 40hz would be audibly fuller.
>
> Because It appears that phase set to 180 phase would flatten the low
> region of the sound would in practical terms be the best choice for me
> since my room interaction produces a huge peak right at 32hz and 40hz.
> But my question is: theoretically which setting would be the ideal?

In a room environment whatever sounds 'right' is best. You'll be measuring
standing waves, you do realise that, yes ? You'll get different results if you
move the meter.

Graham

[fid]

> Why don't U get a pair of headphones and stop making the neigbours
> lives a bloody misary!!!!!!!!

I am sorry. I thought this was a place were uninformed audio
enthusiast like me, having good time making the most with their audio
system, would be able to get some civilized anwsers.
However, I wouldn't be here asking questions if I were not a happy
person. At contrary you seem to be frustrated in life and you indeed
should not be wasteing your time here, but you should be working on
your own problems.

So, I tell you 'get a life' and go elsewhere to show your disconfort
and anger with whatever is bothering you.

[Jenn]

In article om>,
fid > wrote:

> > Why don't U get a pair of headphones and stop making the neigbours
> > lives a bloody misary!!!!!!!!
>
> I am sorry. I thought this was a place were uninformed audio
> enthusiast like me, having good time making the most with their audio
> system, would be able to get some civilized anwsers.
> However, I wouldn't be here asking questions if I were not a happy
> person. At contrary you seem to be frustrated in life and you indeed
> should not be wasteing your time here, but you should be working on
> your own problems.
>
> So, I tell you 'get a life' and go elsewhere to show your disconfort
> and anger with whatever is bothering you.

I'm sorry that I have no subwoofer experience, so I can't help. Good
luck and enjoy the music and your system!

[George M. Middius]

fid said:

> I am sorry. I thought this was a place were uninformed audio
> enthusiast like me, having good time making the most with their audio
> system, would be able to get some civilized anwsers.

Just ignore the troll. Anybody who posts like that is one step above the
Krooborg.

[Eeyore]

fid wrote:

> > Why don't U get a pair of headphones and stop making the neigbours
> > lives a bloody misary!!!!!!!!
>
> I am sorry. I thought this was a place were uninformed audio
> enthusiast like me, having good time making the most with their audio
> system, would be able to get some civilized anwsers.

Sadly, there you were most mistaken.

A bunch of sad gits have chosen to make this place some kind of audio hellhole
on the basis it seems that the inclusion of 'opinion' in the group name makes
bad behaviour acceptable.

For the kind of question you posed, uk.rec.audio would have been a good choice
(I'm sure they won't hold it against you if you're not a Brit), although the sad
gits have been infesting that group too via cross-posting of late too.

Graham

[Arny Krueger]

"fid" > wrote in message
ps.com
> Hello,
>
> I have a Rel Stadium III positioned on the left corner
> next to one of the two front speakers, Vienna Acoustics
> Mahler. I have set the High Level Crossover to 27Hz. I am
> still puzzled by the subwoofer phase settings. I checked
> with a digital SPL meter in conjunction with Rives test
> CD 2. Whet I set the phase to 0, the sub outputs more
> sound at 32hz, (93 db) 40hz (95db) and less at 25hz(80hz)
> and 20hz(77db). The contrary happens when I switch phase
> to 180. I get higher output level at 20hz (83db) and 25hz
> (80db), less at 32hz (88db) and 40hz (84db). In few
> words, depending from the test tone I play I get audible
> different results, as to say phase 180 setting and test
> tone 25Hz or less would be fuller then 0. With phase set
> at 0 and test tone played at 32hz or even 40hz would be
> audibly fuller.
>
> Because It appears that phase set to 180 phase would
> flatten the low region of the sound would in practical
> terms be the best choice for me since my room interaction
> produces a huge peak right at 32hz and 40hz.

Do what sounds best to you.

> But my question is: theoretically which setting would be the
> ideal?

Room acoustics is such a complex area that it would take a huge amount of
data and analysis to properly answer your question. Since you already seem
to know what your preferred answer is, do it!

[dizzy]

fid wrote:

>Because It appears that phase set to 180 phase would flatten the low
>region of the sound would in practical terms be the best choice for me
>since my room interaction produces a huge peak right at 32hz and 40hz.
>But my question is: theoretically which setting would be the ideal?
>
>Please share your expertise.
>Thank you.

I don't think you're going to solve your problem by flipping a switch
between either 0 or 180. You're going to have to move the subwoofer
and speakers around. Better yet, a second subwoofer will smooth
things out somewhat.