Emotiva X-Ref 12 user manual

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 12 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 12. (Your X-Ref 12 is a precision piece of audio gear and not a coffee table or plant stand. Placing objects on top of your X-Ref 12 not only risks causing damage, but the vibration of the top in normal use virtually ensures that they will fall off!)

Page 12