Z5500 sub very unidirectional - Overclock.net

aaronman · 11-15-08

This sub has always sounded good in the past, but it was under a big desk and all the speakers were pretty close together. Now I've moved my computer and the sub is out in the open and it just sounds so unidirectional. I mean, it's to a point where it's almost ridiculous. I only hear bass in my right ear and the sub is maybe 3-4 feet from me. Although, it was closer to me before (I could touch my knees to it) Is there anything I can do to fix this or does it just have to be directly in front of me to sound right?

G|F.E.A.D|Killa · 11-15-08

i have never had that problem with it.

aaronman · 11-15-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by G|F.E.A.D|Killa

i have never had that problem with it.

Yeah, I've never had that problem with any subwoofer before. This thing just refuses to fill the room right now though.

G|F.E.A.D|Killa · 11-15-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by aaronman

Yeah, I've never had that problem with any subwoofer before. This thing just refuses to fill the room right now though.

i see your using a xfi in vista 64. that could be your problem. i had trouble with mine and that combo

aaronman · 11-15-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by G|F.E.A.D|Killa

i see your using a xfi in vista 64. that could be your problem. i had trouble with mine and that combo

I never had a problem with my X-Fi in Vista before.

I also fail to see how having a 64 bit OS would change the physical properties of a subwoofer.

What problems did you have in Vista specifically?

Anyway, I can definitely say that this is not at all software related.

NFF · 11-15-08

it could just be you have some funky acoustics going around in your room. if you walk around your room you will notice that the bass should change in amount and impact. it might be that your out of that "sweet" spot that you had earlyer. subwoofers are very dependent on placement. i have noticed first hand some sweet spots in my house. so try finding yours and then matching the sub position to aquire that spot where you sit. if possible.

RallyMaster · 11-15-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by G|F.E.A.D|Killa

i see your using a xfi in vista 64. that could be your problem. i had trouble with mine and that combo

Did you seriously just say that using an X-Fi in Vista would make a subwoofer sound different? A sound card sends signals to the speakers and the sub. When there's a signal below a certain cutoff frequency, the subwoofer picks it up and you hear it as bass.

To the OP: This is definitely related to the acoustics of your room. Typically when a subwoofer is in the middle of the room, it won't be able to shake the things around it. I typically keep my subs under a desk and touching a wall or even a corner of a house. Pretty much all subs sound messed up when they're in the middle of a room unless it's a circular sub (one of my friends has one).

technodanvan · 11-15-08

Only 3-4 feet from you? It's not sitting on your desk is it? I cringe every time I see someone leaving it there...

In any case, 3-4 feet isn't very far away, you're going to be able to localize it at that distance. Best place would be at least a good 6-8 feet away on the floor at least 8 inches from a wall.

YOSHIBA · 11-15-08

i find subs sound better on the floor and close to walls

aaronman · 11-16-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by technodanvan

Only 3-4 feet from you? It's not sitting on your desk is it? I cringe every time I see someone leaving it there...

In any case, 3-4 feet isn't very far away, you're going to be able to localize it at that distance. Best place would be at least a good 6-8 feet away on the floor at least 8 inches from a wall.

Did you miss the audiophile label under my name?

Haha, nah it used to be under my desk by my feet. Sometimes I would rest my feet on it. The new position was right beside my couch because I moved my computer so I could feel a bit like a console gamer...

But I fixed the problem. Thanks for everyone's help. I figured out that it sounds much more omnidirectional when the actual driver is facing directly toward you (and it helps to have it slightly in front of you, of course). I really don't even like satellite systems. I miss big, giant loudspeakers - even for surround sound. But currently, all the amps I own are stereo. So I'm forced to tolerate the Logitech system, which is actually much better than I expected.

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Z5500 sub very unidirectional

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