First of all, I just would like say I'm sorry for the noobness of my question but I am in the dark when it comes setting up my bass frequencies. This is my setup:
My room size is 19'x13' ( I normally sit at the far rear of the room)
Receiver" Onkyo TX-SR606
Speakers: 5.1 setup with Energy Take Sat Bookshelf speakers, and an Energy S8.3 Subwoofer.(the subwoofer is setup to the far right of the receiver, and right of the front right speaker.
I used the automatic setup feature(using the microphone), and it all went well. I have my subwoofer setup with the crossover to 110hz, the phase control setup to 0 degrees. Now while everything sounds fine, I wanted to know if there was anything I could do to fine tune it.
Thank you in advance for any tips or links.
Not a noob question at all. Those who tell you they have the answers are either lying or unwilling to look beyond their own setups. This is an art, not a science.
You are looking to find the setup which produces the cleanest bass at your location. Bass frequencies have long wavelengths, and thus room position can make a big difference, especially when reflections are taken into account.
The math: sound travels at (more or less) 1100 ft/sec. A 100 Hz signal has a wavelength of (1100 ft/sec) / (100 cycles/sec) = 11 ft/cycle. 1/2 wavelength is 6.5 ft, and a half wavelength difference in signal path is where you will get cancellation. Thus, subs should not be about 6 feet from any wall if possible.
The problem is that rooms are not featureless cubes. You have reflections off of furniture, rear walls, the other side wall, etc. It is difficult to predict where the best place to mount a sub without experimentation.
All that was basically to say try moving the sub around the room and see what sounds best. Also, try the 180 degree phase adjustment and see if it sounds better when used with your main speakers. That adjustment is there to help and it may sound better 180 degrees out of phase.
If you look around this forum, you will see threads about increasing or decreasing reflections by use of either ceramic or carpet tiles. Most have used these under downfiring subs, but the principle is the same. If you read the home theater setup books, many tell you to try and place absorbent material on the side walls halfway between you and the speakers. This will lower side reflections.
Those really are my best first level suggestions. Move the sub around a bit and see what sounds better. Try the phase switch. Try adjusting the reflections in your room. Oh, and be happy with what you come up with as there is no perfect answer.
