Integrating a JL f212 and a Mac MX-150

[BlueSky]

I've always been a little unsure about how best to integrate the JL f212 into a 7.1 system with a McIntosh MX-150 as the controller.

What I have done in the past was to position the JL along one of the side walls near the corner of the room and move it back and forth adjusting for a peak in output at my primary listening position. I would then run ARO and allow it to complete its work. Incidentally, ARO ran the first time without any complaints. After that I would allow McIntosh's "Room Perfect" to set everything up after that. After testing at 6 positions, I got a 98% complete and left it at that.

It sounds pretty good to my ears but have always wondered if I did things correctly.

Any thoughts or advice would be muchly appreciated!

[Shorty]

Run the ARO first. Then play the built in white noise on the mx150 and use an spl meter on your front left speaker set It between 75 and 80db. Then switch the white noise to the sub channel on the mx 150 and adjust the master level knob on the subwoofer until the spl meter reads the same DB level as the front left. Do the same for a 2nd sub if you have one. Now run room perfect and the subs with blend perfectly with the other speakers. After room perfect is complete If you ever want more bass in the system adjust the master level on the sub. If you ever ad additional focus points or room positions make sure you recalibrate the DB level of the sub and front speaker first.

When I first ran room perfect my subs levels were set too high. It resulted in a correction level of 48% and very little deep bass. After I ran it again using the method above my correction % is now 14% and the bass has never sounded better.


Enjoy

[BlueSky]

Hi Shorty and thanks for the response. I'll give your method a try in the next day or so. I like the idea of initially matching the SPLs between the sub and the front left before running room perfect.

Your response about % correction that is indicated by Room Perfect got me to thinking maybe I am doing something wrong. After running the initial focus position and noting the %, every additional point in the room that I measured resulted in an increased % until I could get no higher (98% in my case). Am I correct in thinking that the higher the % achieved, the better or more accurate Room Perfect has been able to achieve or is a lower % correction (like a golf score) better?

Thanks again!

Joe

[j3brow]

Originally Posted by BlueSky

Hi Shorty and thanks for the response. I'll give your method a try in the next day or so. I like the idea of initially matching the SPLs between the sub and the front left before running room perfect. Your response about % correction that is indicated by Room Perfect got me to thinking maybe I am doing something wrong. After running the initial focus position and noting the %, every additional point in the room that I measured resulted in an increased % until I could get no higher (98% in my case). Am I correct in thinking that the higher the % achieved, the better or more accurate Room Perfect has been able to achieve or is a lower % correction (like a golf score) better? Thanks again! Joe

I don't have a Room perfect device but I do know that room knowledge (98%) and room correction (14%) are two totally different assessments with the later being amount of processing employed, i.e. How different is output signal from original input signal.

[BlueSky]

Originally Posted by j3brow

I don't have a Room perfect device but I do know that room knowledge (98%) and room correction (14%) are two totally different assessments.

That's where I made the mistake! Thank you!

[djwhog]

I never room room perfect with the subs, and I use a Y split-er off of the mains so I always have stereo bass works best, also I like my subs to the side of me and slightly to the rear of me as well.

Lastly keep at least a foot or so from the side wall if you can.

[nicoff]

Originally Posted by BlueSky

I've always been a little unsure about how best to integrate the JL f212 into a 7.1 system with a McIntosh MX-150 as the controller. What I have done in the past was to position the JL along one of the side walls near the corner of the room and move it back and forth adjusting for a peak in output at my primary listening position. I would then run ARO and allow it to complete its work. Incidentally, ARO ran the first time without any complaints. After that I would allow McIntosh's "Room Perfect" to set everything up after that. After testing at 6 positions, I got a 98% complete and left it at that. It sounds pretty good to my ears but have always wondered if I did things correctly. Any thoughts or advice would be muchly appreciated!

I suggest that you call tech support at JL Audio and ask to speak with Barry Ober. He is a wealth of information about setting up and integrating subs in a system.

[Shorty]

as long as room knowledge is over 90% your good to go. With correction % the lower the better, but that has a lot to do with the environment and room layout. Typically correction will be between 15 and 45%

[BlueSky]

Originally Posted by djwhog

I never room room perfect with the subs, and I use a Y split-er off of the mains so I always have stereo bass works best, also I like my subs to the side of me and slightly to the rear of me as well.

Lastly keep at least a foot or so from the side wall if you can.

I could "Y" off of the balanced outputs of the MX-150 and invest in some "longish" (18') balanced interconnects to get to the sub. And the sub is already off the side wall as you recommend.
Thanks for the thoughts!

[BlueSky]

Originally Posted by nicoff

I suggest that you call tech support at JL Audio and ask to speak with Barry Ober. He is a wealth of information about setting up and integrating subs in a system.

Barry and I have been in contact and thanks for the response.