Emotiva X-Ref 10 - Manual (Page 16)

Page 12
One method for choosing a location that produces very good results, although it’s a
bit undignified, is to place the subwoofer temporarily in your listening location, and
then sit on the floor in each potential subwoofer location and listen to the results. The
locations where the bass sounds powerful, yet clean and not boomy or muddy, are
probably good choices for where to place your subwoofer. Alternately, you can simply
try the subwoofer in different locations that are compatible with your room decor and
choose the location that sounds best.
You will also find that some audio components (especially turntables) are very sensitive
to low bass frequencies. Adding a subwoofer may expose this weakness in previously
well-behaved equipment, so you should be careful to isolate such components from
vibrations transmitted via the floor or through the air. Sensitive components should be
mounted on isolation feet or platforms, and a subwoofer should not be placed too close
to them (which may rule out certain potential locations).
Before starting, you should locate several pieces of music that you are familiar
with that contain substantial low frequency content. Look for music that contains
instruments or “interesting” sounds rather than single-tone electronic effects or
explosions. A recording of “pink noise” works well for some people, although test tones
intended for use with a meter are usually not very useful when doing things by ear.
Remember that the ideal location will be one where bass response is smooth, and no
specific tones are unduly emphasized or missing. (If you notice that a particular tone
seems to “drag on” long after it should have stopped, or that a particular frequency
or instrument sounds boomy or muddy, you are probably experiencing a resonance at
that frequency, and should avoid using the location where it occurs.)
You will also probably find that, while certain subwoofer locations produce the best
result for a single listening position (like your favorite chair), other locations may
produce better overall results for a larger area (the entire couch or group of chairs
where you and your family sit on Saturday evenings). Always remember that the best
location is simply the one that works best for you with your room and your equipment.
Finally, avoid locations that place your X-Ref 10 directly in front of a window or
heating vent, or in particularly damp or hazardous locations, and avoid locations that
encourage people to place foreign objects on top of your X-Ref 10. (Your X-Ref 10 is
a precision piece of audio gear and not a coffee table or plant stand. Placing objects
on top of your X-Ref 10 not only risks causing damage, but the vibration of the top in
normal use virtually ensures that they will fall off!)