Why BASSBOSS Subs Can Seem Quieter Than Other Brands
In comparison to other speakers with very high input sensitivity, the BASSBOSS subs can seem to play at a lower level. This is because when a high sensitivity input and a low sensitivity input are sent the same signal, the high-sensitivity input will add more gain.
Establish Your Maximum Output First
The appropriate course of action is to establish the maximum output capability of the low-sensitivity unit first — to verify the source device can drive enough signal for it to reach maximum output. Once that's established, the high-sensitivity unit can be added but its input should be attenuated so that it doesn't reach its maximum output capacity before the low-sensitivity unit does.
Subs Are Always Less Efficient Than Tops
Subwoofers are inevitably less efficient than tops. It takes more power to reach a given SPL from a sub than from a top. The maximum output SPL of a top can be (usually is) greater than that of a sub of a similar scale.
It's necessary to drive subs harder than tops, or to provide more subs than tops, in order to achieve the desired balance.
The 6dB Rule and Why It Matters
The desired balance usually involves a minimum of 6dB more SPL from the subs than the tops. Building that disparity into the inputs would put the subwoofer into compression/limiting way before the same would happen on the tops. The appropriate action is to lower the levels of the tops or to add more subs.
Step-by-Step: Balancing Subs and Tops
- First, set up the subwoofer to play at its maximum safe level
- Then add the top speakers, but turn them down so they don't overpower the subwoofer
- The goal is usually to have the bass (from subwoofers) about 6 decibels louder than the rest of the sound
