ellisdj said:
David - its nothing to do with volume (your comment was a dig at another dealer demos who always plays it loud - he is showing that it can play loud without distress) - its to do with how things are setup - if things are setup correctly the system balance is identical when you want to pound it out and also when you are watching later in the evening and dont want to wake up the kids asleep upstairs. I have to do both but I wont settle for a sub par performance when the kids are asleep.
Any system needs to be set up well, and this is aside from any individual's preference. As for volume level, it
is relevant. Installing a system that will play to +10dB or higher is futile in this room, as I will get nowhere near that. It is pointless paying for the privilege to do so if your listening levels rarely break average. I've only ever reached 0dB occasionally with music, and that has been with more dynamic music where the continuous level of the source is quite low. A good quality system will handle low volume just as well as it does any higher volume you require from it. A system capable of Reference Level or higher doesn't necessarily sound as impressive at low levels (-60dB or lower, for example), particularly when they've been auto EQ'd for Reference Level listening. Some may prefer to run the sub hot at low volumes, for example.
I can listen to a system and instantly tell how things are setup and how good it is - especially in the bass department - most I have heard are seriously lacking in the bass. If you hear how the Steinway system balances the sound, or if you heard the Gecko MK system with the Octosub the balance is / was spot on - and that is something worth mimicking. Thinking you know better than these people in this regard in just being naive.
Bass levels are a preference. Yes, there is a correct level to set up subs to, but films vary so wildly with regards to bass content. I believe the Octosub has been binned in preference for a number of conventional subs. Again, if you don't require that excessive level, the benefits are generally small for the average user.
All the quality preamp power amp speakers in the world is irrelevant if the bass isnt right - its the bass that gives a movie system its power, dynamics and impact - most of the ambience and especially tension - its all created by the bass. Most speakers dont do this well at all - especially small domestic ones, I wont even use the KEF references for bass because they dont have the impact of the SB13 Ultras and you need it in movies. It doesnt have to be reference levels to get it either - most setups are so bad and wrong that the only way to get any tactile bass is turn it up to 11, you still dont really get any and this is not necessary
I agree bass is important, and yes, if it isn't right for the system in question, the system won't be performing at its best. For me though, it doesn't matter how good the bass is, it can't make up for superior detail recreation, a deeper, more three dimensional soundstage, and transparency that loses the speakers.
There are pros and cons to using the sub for dynamics higher up the frequency range - the loss of stereo imaging, and general soundfield information, being one. This one reason why I have a couple of different sound templates for my system, one with a low crossover point, one higher. It is also this area (rather than sub frequencies) that annoys neighbours more so than sub frequencies. It's all down to the aspect/aspects that any one individual chases - the quest for outright volume loses some desirable aspects, in my opinion.
My recommendations are based on the user's room and their volume requirements, rather than just recommending the same type of set up for everyone, regardless. And, like active vs passive speakers, vinyl vs digital, standmounts vs floorstanders, preference plays a big part, and not everyone likes what is touted as the "superior" solution.
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram