I usually play my system at -10dB or -12dB below the reference level as calibrated by Audyssey MultEQ. Lately I have been trying to play louder at -8dB and realized that my system is not good enough to play at that level. My receiver will shutdown into protection mode which I believe is due to my Canton Vento 890DC and 856 which are rated at 4 ohm impedance. My SVS PC12-plus will also have port chuffing if I listen at -8dB, sometimes even at -10dB or -12dB.

When I built my system I thought it was good enough to play at reference level but apparently I was wrong. I probably have to buy a power amp and at least another PC12-plus to play at -5dB. To play at reference level I probably have to replace the sub altogether with two PB13-ultra. I guess it is true what they say at avsforum, to achieve reference level playback is not cheap.

So here is where my poll comes in. How loud do you play your system? The poll is only for calibrated system, does not matter if it is by Audyssey, MACC, YPAO, EzSet/EQ, professional installer or simply by SPL meter.

wierd enough.. my entry level system still sings well at reference level.. but the HM will surely !$@#!$# if i do..

Yes, a good system is needed to play at reference level while maintaining AQ. A lot of systems being played at about -8dB will start to distort. However, I am quite surprised that many do not realise that distortion is already setting in. In some cases, the subwoofer bottoms out and the front imaging starts to break up.

I never quite try to listen at above -8dB. Too afraid of hearing loss in the long run since my room is medium size. Normally, at abt -12 to -15dB.


Try TS 7 Eleven scene or WOTW BD at reference and see

Around -25dB usually and -20dB max for me. If not my son will scold "Daddy, who so loud?"

I was guilty of that too. Sometimes I did demo my system at -5 but back then I am not too well informed and now when I try it again I can hear that the sound is straining, there's distortion, the sub bottoming out and the dynamics is lost. The demo usually last a short time so that was probably the reason the receiver never went into protection mode.

My room is not that large anyway, it is around 8 * 8 * 20 feet. I should have spent a little bit more and bought PB13-ultra. To be frank I am little bit dissappointed with the performance of PC12-plus especially with the port chuffing. Based on my research, others are having port chuffing problem to with the cylinder but not the box.

I will definitely try to upgrade my system to play at reference level, probably incrementally as the budget allows. I look forward to the release of SVS new power amp and hopefully the budget will be there when the amp is released. Looking to add additional sub too. So business might be good for you htkaki in the future .

sorry if too noob a question but what is 'port chuffing'? Is it the unwanted sound of air flow from the ports?

thanks..

Yeah it's unwanted sound coming form the port. It sounds more or less like fart. Poff Poff.

oh ya... i had that issue with my canton sub, and with my CHT12Q when playing loud (-10dB on Onkyo for eg.) and it was not acceptable to me either so I had to replace my sub

Yes, it is. When massive air is being pushed through the vents, it might cause 'chuffing', something like when you blow through a pipe.

rahavsmt, did you set the PC12-Plus to 16Hz setting?

A PB13-Ultra in a 13x18 room is crazily powerful at -8dB. For the record, my PB13-Ultra never runs 'hot' unlike others (mostly). All walls including the furniture in there are being 'pounded' by the immense air pressure. I couldn't take it since I am too old for this .

The PC12-plus is at 20Hz setting with all ports opened. At -10 my furnitures are shaking too but I like it louder still.

So few votes, I thought many more would listen to their system calibrated properly.

I listen at around -10dB for movies using my Onkyo and PB12-NSD

On average, I am playing at -16dB and running my PC12-Plus a slight 2dB hotter in spl reading. 1 port block at 16Hz setting and the bass integrates very well with other speakers. If volume drops more than -25dB, I find everything becomes softer, "boh kick".

On other hand, if volume crank less than -12dB which is very rare to me, the LFE is very scary & uncomfortable especially a sudden explosion in the movie scene or some scary movies try to test your heart. At this volume, the effect can make you jump out of your seat. Even watching Monster vs Aliens where the alien's spaceship self-destruct scene. As I aint prepared for it, I get a real shock. I think this kind of thing is no good to our heart.



SO, I still think at -16dB is just nice for me.

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Added on June 28, 2010, 8:40 pmBut it also depends on types of movies you are watching. And also, the sound mixing level of each recording is different too.






This post has been edited by mikapoh: Jun 28 2010, 08:40 PM

-12db is maximum. Over than that will annoying my neighbour.

-5db the max, most of the time -10db, live in townhouse/apartment with neighbours below, left and right.

Did your neighbours ever complaint?

Normally around -11db but I think did go to -7db a couple times...

One of my friends really wanted to get a feel of Reference Level. So, I tested Hitman for him. Those gunshots is insanely powerful and loud. Just right after he shot that fella in the head, my friend told me very syiok.

My eardrums were ringing.

Setting more hz or less hz is better for sub woofer. newbie on sub woofer. tq

good article for newbies to read :

http://www.audioholics.com/tweaks/get-good-bass/

That was a good site bro, thanks.

I really very admire u all... if i turn to -38 my wife alr .....
u all very lucky...

Erm..

We r talkin at reference lvl of 80db irrespective of wat is stated on ur calibrtd avr dial... but stil -38 is veri low indeed

For me it all depends on wat mv I m watchin.. if dialog only wan - then can go up to 5db below reference[-13 on my dial].. I guess if boom boom flick then ard 8db below reference is jus nice - no prblms wif my 7002/985 combo n pb12+/10inch sub to handle thou'..
A worthy note is tat most bollywood flicks hv a much higher signal, -30 is alrdy veri comfortable for most b'wood flicks..

D

what crossover you guys set for your subwoofer? what crossover frequency is best setting for home theater system?

Rule of thumb is 80 hz n set even large flstndrs to small n let d sub do d work..