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  #141  
Old 10-09-2019, 05:49 PM
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Originally Posted by SMC23 View Post
Went to my Bros place to calibrate his new DB2D, and via RCA on the LFE input we had to decrease the gain to -5db to achieve 75db reference volume from his Arcam AV processor. The 805D2 main channels had to be adjusted to -6db to achieve the same reference level. We haven't tried the stereo inputs.

Having a pair of JL F113, the DB2D is quite nice and comparable musically.
I believe LFE is used, as in your case, with a processor with a sub output. I am assuming with LFE you are only using the left RCA input on the sub. In my case, using LFE without a processor yields full range going to the sub, which, to me, yields an unbalanced sound for music. I do not use it for video.
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  #142  
Old 10-09-2019, 09:51 PM
ariess ariess is offline
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Originally Posted by bscottmahler View Post
Recently added a pair of DB2D subs to 802D3 speakers. They're connected to a McIntosh C47 preamp via XLR (speakers on output one and subs on output two). Initial impressions are that they're great subs in a smaller than average package. They sound great and blend well with the main speakers, soundwise and visually. The app-based DSP is great to have, especially in a difficult room like ours.



The passions on this post seem to run high :-) so I was expecting to find that the concerns about the default levels were overblown. That said, the default leveling on the subs even via XLR is... surprising.



In order to achieve a sound that I think is balanced, I've had to increase the input gain for each sub by +6-8db. At the default 0db gain, the subs are almost inaudible. Playing music through them with 0db input gain set in the app with the mains off (ouput one off), this proves true. The Brits may like lighter base, but I'm hard pressed to call the default settings anything but an engineering issue. If I want to hear a gutteral kick drum or shake the walls so my 5-year-old can "Shake Your Rump" with the Beastie Boys, I need to go further and create a custom EQ with the lower frequencies boosted by a further 3-5db.



In the end, because of the great sound quality, our limited space, the great integrated DSP, and (I'm shallow) the visual appeal, we'll be keeping the subs. I'd also say, that boosting everything to the max - the input gain and custom EQ - would result in badly unbalanced sound quality, so the subs have adequate "room for play". That said, I definitely agree that B&W needs to revisit the default calibration settings, even if just to add an American mode or "Wall Shaker" EQ setting. :-)


What settings do you use? Do you set to 802D3, stereo, music, +6 dB ?
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  #143  
Old 10-10-2019, 01:11 PM
susu susu is offline
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I am experiencing the same problem and will test the differences next weekend
between RCA (almost no output with every setting at maximum) and XLR.
Since the app-update there is no possibility to increase volume, only augmenting input gain.

Besides : it took them 6 months to "admit" that there was a problem with RoomEQ on Android phones
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  #144  
Old 10-10-2019, 03:28 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by miner View Post
I believe LFE is used, as in your case, with a processor with a sub output. I am assuming with LFE you are only using the left RCA input on the sub. In my case, using LFE without a processor yields full range going to the sub, which, to me, yields an unbalanced sound for music. I do not use it for video.
Correct, the connections are via LFE. I can see where your conundrum is and hopefully Bowers will address it.
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  #145  
Old 10-10-2019, 03:57 PM
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Guys,
If you are experiencing the same issues I am I urge you to contact B&W. I was literally told I was the only user who ever complained about the DB subs lack of output.

Does B&W have a rep that monitors this site?
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  #146  
Old 10-10-2019, 05:08 PM
bscottmahler bscottmahler is offline
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Originally Posted by ariess View Post
What settings do you use? Do you set to 802D3, stereo, music, +6 dB ?
Correct. For both subs. Those settings seem to be the baseline where everything blends and clicks together in our room... though I'm still experimenting with different settings.

If any DBxD owners view this thread, I'd be curious what settings you've ended on, particularly any custom EQ settings that sound great.
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  #147  
Old 10-10-2019, 07:11 PM
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Stereo, RCA, custom eq (0, 2, 3, 2, 1 dB), other speaker (58Hz xover, 12dB slope, 0 degree phase), input gain +8dB

When choosing 805D3 as speaker the DB1D is inaudible, barely any cone movement
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Last edited by miner; 10-10-2019 at 08:25 PM.
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  #148  
Old 11-21-2019, 02:54 PM
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I don't know what has changed since last weekend (no new Sw to download) but I actually had to turn down my gain to +3dB because walls/picutres were rattling last night while listening, and this was thru and iTouch. I checked equalization setting on the iTouch and it was flat. Dunno.
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  #149  
Old 11-22-2019, 01:14 PM
mike175gr mike175gr is offline
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So is it now working as it should? I have been interested in this product for a long time, just really disappointed with the issues that have been shared here.
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  #150  
Old 11-22-2019, 01:26 PM
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As it should? I can't say for sure since I am going on a year since purchase - "as it should" to me means out of the box, new. Not sure why I am hearing/feeling a positive change from one day of usage to the next. No, Father Sarducci has come to do an exorcism. I can't explain why the difference, but it is in the positive direction.
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