Positioning the Subwoofer, Introduction

POSITIONING THE SUBWOOFER

stored settings has been overwritten with your new settings.

•To avoid accidental over-writing of presets, set the Preset/Settings switch on the subwoofers back panel (No. 8 in fig. 2) to the "Protect" position. Adjustments on- the-fly for all settings are still possible.

To recall a Preset:

• Simply briefly press the desired Preset button A, B, C or D.

• Presets can only be stored or recalled in "Master" mode.

•Program one preset with the best global settings for your system and use this as the starting point to program the other presets. This way you always have a starting and reference point.

Introduction

Although it is often said that the location of a subwoofer in a listening room is not critical (as the human ear can not locate direction at very low frequencies) we recommend that you choose its position carefully so the subwoofer can integrate fluently with the other speakers in the system and interact in the correct way with the acoustical environment.

All of the following should be taken as rule-of-thumb guidelines; bass response in general is very dependent on the acoustics of the listening environment. Finding the best position often involves a lot of trial-and-error experimenting. Always trust your ears, even if seemingly the position of the subwoofer goes against the guidelines. Contradictory as it may seem, good integration of subwoofers has been achieved when one isn't aware that a subwoofer is present at all in the system, yet performance involves fast, deep and solid bass without sounding stressed, even at loud levels.

•Trying to find the right location will also involve finding the right settings such as Level, Cross-over frequency and Phase for that location. The subwoofers presets will prove to be a useful tool when trying to find a suitable setting: You can store the settings that match a particular position so you can easily swap between locations. It will also allow you to make small changes in settings and to store these as separate presets. This way, you can compare between presets to find the best setting. Refer also to section "Storing and recalling a Preset" in Chapter "Adjusting and Using the subwoofer".

•When experimenting to find the optimal location, use a couple of music tracks with repetitive bass across a large spectrum. The tracks should be sufficiently different from each other and each should cover a wide bass-range. Musical instruments, such as a double-bass, bass guitar, church organ, etc. cover a wide spectrum in the bass region and are therefore very suitable. Using non-music (such as action movies) material to position and adjust the subwoofer with, may lead to spectacular results with such material but almost always it will result in overblown and excessive bass when playing music with the same setting. Remember that the Dynaudio subwoofers allow for 4 different preset settings, so you can store a preset with the setting that matches the occasion (be it for action movie or music listening) best.

Every listening environment will have specific "room- modes", whereby in some specific locations in the room and at particular frequencies, the bass may be too much or too lean. This effect will be stronger in square and "shoe- box" shaped rooms. With a single subwoofer, the better position for the subwoofer relative to the listening position will be the one where bass is perceived to be neither too much or too lean at any given frequency.

BM 10S, BM12S specifications

Dynaudio is a well-respected name in the world of audio monitoring, known for producing high-quality studio speakers that deliver exceptional performance. Two notable products in their lineup are the BM 10S and BM 12S subwoofers, designed to complement their BM series studio monitors. These subwoofers provide an impactful low-frequency foundation for music producers, sound engineers, and audiophiles alike.

The Dynaudio BM 10S features a 10-inch woofer, while the BM 12S boasts a larger 12-inch driver. Both models utilize Dynaudio's proprietary driver technologies, ensuring that low-end reproduction is both precise and articulate. The robust construction of these subwoofers is complemented by high-grade materials that enhance durability and performance, ensuring reliability even in demanding studio environments.

One of the standout features of the BM 10S and BM 12S is their integrated amplification. The BM 10S is powered by a 150-watt amplifier, while the BM 12S ramps up the power to 200 watts. This built-in amplification allows for efficient power management and provides ample headroom for dynamic audio playback. Both models exhibit a frequency response that extends down to 29 Hz, enabling users to hear vital low-end details in their mixes, which is crucial for genres like electronic music, hip-hop, and film soundtracks.

The BM series subwoofers also come with low-frequency shelf filters, allowing users to tailor the bass response to fit the acoustics of their studio room. This is a critical feature for achieving an accurate monitoring environment and minimizing acoustic issues such as standing waves or room modes. Moreover, the subwoofers offer flexible connectivity options, making it easy to integrate them into existing setups, whether for professional studio work or home audio applications.

In summary, the Dynaudio BM 10S and BM 12S subwoofers represent a perfect blend of advanced technology, robust construction, and user-centric features. With their powerful amplification, precise bass response, and adjustable settings, these subwoofers effectively enhance the monitoring experience, enabling sound professionals to produce music with confidence and clarity. Whether one is mixing tracks or enjoying high-fidelity sound, the BM 10S and BM 12S deliver exceptional performance that meets the high standards of discerning audio professionals.