Post by paintedklown on Aug 20, 2010 1:27:50 GMT -5
I am sure most of you have probably read my (very) early opinions regarding my two ultra 12 subs. Well here is my updated and (hopefully) more knowledgeable opinion. 
Upon hearing the Ultra 12 subs for the first time I mentioned that if I had to do it all over again I would have ordered just one of them and spent the money on another amp. I now retract that statement and here is (the short answer of) why...I discovered the joys of the phase controls.
I also found some PC software that had a program for an spl meter as well. It allows you to connect an external microphone, play the test tones you will be using (I used the ones from the optimization section of the "Up" blu-ray), and use those tones to "calibrate" the microphone being used. I used a Shure SM-57 initially, but ended up using a Shure SM-58 with the grill removed to better effect...But, let me back up for a second...
An old friend of mine, who is a recording engineer, came over a few days ago to hear my B&W's and Emo subs for the first time. As a long time B&W user, he is very familiar of what the various B&W lines sound like. He informed me right away that my system sounded like garbage.
I was quite aware of this, but sort of felt helpless to do anything about it. He decided to assist me in setting up my gear properly.
First, we moved everything out of my "home theater" room (an extra bedroom) and into my living room. Then we used a tape measure and carefully moved the speakers, television, couch, ect. around until everything was properly measured for distance, symmetry, and all around goodness. LOL! Then we took the time to carefully move and toe in the mains and surrounds so that they crossed the "sweet" spot at the same angle and from the same distances. All of the information that could be entered into my receiver was input as measured.
Next, was adjusting the phase for the subs. For this we used a 30hz test tone. We played the tone with the two main speakers running (while crossed over) and one sub (the subs are stacked on top of each other, corner loaded and firing into the room, parallel to the back wall) running. Then we left the first sub on while flipping on the "top" sub. With some careful listening we were able to dial in a nice DEEP tone that sounded truly remarkable. This is when I began to realize the REAL benefit of running two subs.
I am unsure of how to properly describe the sound but when compared to the single sub running, I would say the sound is "thicker" "richer" more "full bodied" with an impact that can be felt as well as heard.
Doing this seemed to really tighten up my bass, far exceeding the sound I had been getting all along. My friend described it as "flabby" sounding before. I would have to say it sounded "unsure" of its self. It is a lot more "confident" now.
Also, I forgot to mention. We went around the room with silicone and siliconed all of my really old and really rattly windows. I think doing that alone made my entire setup sound significantly more musical, as opposed to all of the window rattling from before.
Lastly, I used my laptop, a mic stand, and a Shure SM-58 calibrated to c-weighted slow on a computer program to set levels for everything. To get it as close to perfect as I could took quite a long time.
Anyway, after all of the moving, measuring, positioning, testing, listening, checking levels, adjusting what I could on the receiver, ect...I can honestly say that I have NEVER had my "system" sounding this good. ;D And I am not even using my UPA-1s on the mains at this time due to no pre-amp. I am just running everything off of the crappy, old Kenwood receiver.
Now my music sounds absolutely incredible (minus the fact that I KNOW with a proper pre-amp and using my mono-blocks that it could be even better) and easily outshines any of the previous settings and configurations I have tried thus far.
Now take in to account that I made another trip to Des Moines to audition some more speakers. (another story for another thread) I did, though, take the time to listen to a couple of other sub-woofers while there. I was interested to see how they would stack up against what I was used to at home. Granted, the subs I heard were single powered subs, but still I KNOW for a fact that one of my Emotiva U12 subs could EASILY have "walked all over" the two other subs I heard that day. In accordance with forum rules I will not “call out” the two subs I listened to. I will say that they are both from speaker manufacturers that are considered respectable. I was so completely underwhelmed by these subs that I was actually shocked at how un-impressive they were. The bass was not as deep, nor nearly as tight, musical, and powerful, as what I experience when listening to my U12’s. My cousin was with me that day (also an audio geek) and was really digging on one of the subs we were listening to and told me to sit where he was…when we changed spots the bass did get better but it was NO where near what I am now used to, he noticed the expression on my face and added “Well I am sure yours are a lot louder” LOL!!! That was an understatement indeed. What was the most interesting to me was that this particular sub was manufactured by a speaker brand that I feel produces some of the best speakers on the market, and I raved about them when I had initially heard them. I suppose subs just may not be their area of expertise.
I know this is a long winded post but I really wanted to give a thorough and updated “review” of the Ultra 12 subs.
After properly setting up, and doing some comparisons, I now feel that the Emotiva Ultra subs are an extremely excellent bargain that would be very difficult to beat. Yet another winning product from a company who seems to be on the forefront of excellence, customer service, and of course, the best pricing available!!!
Thanks for reading.
-Dave
Upon hearing the Ultra 12 subs for the first time I mentioned that if I had to do it all over again I would have ordered just one of them and spent the money on another amp. I now retract that statement and here is (the short answer of) why...I discovered the joys of the phase controls.
I also found some PC software that had a program for an spl meter as well. It allows you to connect an external microphone, play the test tones you will be using (I used the ones from the optimization section of the "Up" blu-ray), and use those tones to "calibrate" the microphone being used. I used a Shure SM-57 initially, but ended up using a Shure SM-58 with the grill removed to better effect...But, let me back up for a second...
An old friend of mine, who is a recording engineer, came over a few days ago to hear my B&W's and Emo subs for the first time. As a long time B&W user, he is very familiar of what the various B&W lines sound like. He informed me right away that my system sounded like garbage.
I was quite aware of this, but sort of felt helpless to do anything about it. He decided to assist me in setting up my gear properly.
First, we moved everything out of my "home theater" room (an extra bedroom) and into my living room. Then we used a tape measure and carefully moved the speakers, television, couch, ect. around until everything was properly measured for distance, symmetry, and all around goodness. LOL! Then we took the time to carefully move and toe in the mains and surrounds so that they crossed the "sweet" spot at the same angle and from the same distances. All of the information that could be entered into my receiver was input as measured.
Next, was adjusting the phase for the subs. For this we used a 30hz test tone. We played the tone with the two main speakers running (while crossed over) and one sub (the subs are stacked on top of each other, corner loaded and firing into the room, parallel to the back wall) running. Then we left the first sub on while flipping on the "top" sub. With some careful listening we were able to dial in a nice DEEP tone that sounded truly remarkable. This is when I began to realize the REAL benefit of running two subs.
I am unsure of how to properly describe the sound but when compared to the single sub running, I would say the sound is "thicker" "richer" more "full bodied" with an impact that can be felt as well as heard.
Doing this seemed to really tighten up my bass, far exceeding the sound I had been getting all along. My friend described it as "flabby" sounding before. I would have to say it sounded "unsure" of its self. It is a lot more "confident" now.Also, I forgot to mention. We went around the room with silicone and siliconed all of my really old and really rattly windows.
I think doing that alone made my entire setup sound significantly more musical, as opposed to all of the window rattling from before. Lastly, I used my laptop, a mic stand, and a Shure SM-58 calibrated to c-weighted slow on a computer program to set levels for everything. To get it as close to perfect as I could took quite a long time.
Anyway, after all of the moving, measuring, positioning, testing, listening, checking levels, adjusting what I could on the receiver, ect...I can honestly say that I have NEVER had my "system" sounding this good. ;D And I am not even using my UPA-1s on the mains at this time due to no pre-amp. I am just running everything off of the crappy, old Kenwood receiver.
Now my music sounds absolutely incredible (minus the fact that I KNOW with a proper pre-amp and using my mono-blocks that it could be even better) and easily outshines any of the previous settings and configurations I have tried thus far.
Now take in to account that I made another trip to Des Moines to audition some more speakers. (another story for another thread) I did, though, take the time to listen to a couple of other sub-woofers while there. I was interested to see how they would stack up against what I was used to at home. Granted, the subs I heard were single powered subs, but still I KNOW for a fact that one of my Emotiva U12 subs could EASILY have "walked all over" the two other subs I heard that day. In accordance with forum rules I will not “call out” the two subs I listened to. I will say that they are both from speaker manufacturers that are considered respectable. I was so completely underwhelmed by these subs that I was actually shocked at how un-impressive they were. The bass was not as deep, nor nearly as tight, musical, and powerful, as what I experience when listening to my U12’s. My cousin was with me that day (also an audio geek) and was really digging on one of the subs we were listening to and told me to sit where he was…when we changed spots the bass did get better but it was NO where near what I am now used to, he noticed the expression on my face and added “Well I am sure yours are a lot louder” LOL!!! That was an understatement indeed. What was the most interesting to me was that this particular sub was manufactured by a speaker brand that I feel produces some of the best speakers on the market, and I raved about them when I had initially heard them. I suppose subs just may not be their area of expertise.
I know this is a long winded post but I really wanted to give a thorough and updated “review” of the Ultra 12 subs.
After properly setting up, and doing some comparisons, I now feel that the Emotiva Ultra subs are an extremely excellent bargain that would be very difficult to beat. Yet another winning product from a company who seems to be on the forefront of excellence, customer service, and of course, the best pricing available!!!
Thanks for reading.
-Dave
