I'm famous, haha

[monkumonku]

I got the Emo SE8 sub recently to supplement the bass a bit when I listen in stereo with my tube setup, so instead of 2.0 it is now 2.1. Problem is, the only practical locations for the sub have room nodes so there is quite a dip at 50hz. I thought maybe I would pull out the Schiit Loki equalizer and see if this might help. I couldn't remember what the center frequencies were on it so I looked at the Schiit web site. I also looked at the review tab and lo and behold, they are using the review I had posted in the Lounge three years ago! I thought that was kind of funny. I had no idea.

Actually I haven't used it for a long time. Not because of anything negative about the product - the Loki itself is great - but I find I just go crazy playing around with the knobs and spending too much time trying to fine tune stuff so I decided it is easier for my peace of mind to just leave everything flat instead and that way I don't have a choice. The sound quality of recordings vary so much that if I were trying to find something ideal, I'd never stop adjusting because each song would make me try something else.

Anyway, I'm going to see if the 20hz knob on the Loki makes any difference in the sub. It's a nice little sub and I like it, and that node that causes the dip at 50hz is not its fault.

Here's the link to the product page at Schiit for the Loki, of which one of the links on the review tab comes back to the Lounge.

www.schiit.com/products/loki

[Soup]

Congrats! That's pretty cool!

[brutiarti]

To the point

[Deleted]

..... The sound quality of recordings vary so much that if I were trying to find something ideal, I'd never stop adjusting because each song would make me try something else.  I agree and thus suggest that you set your playback frequency as flat as you can using a flat source like a test CD.  Then leave it there.  Some folks like a little  HF boost or low boost, etc, that is fine.  Unfortunately many recording engineers have different ears. 

My first question is how do you know there is a 50hz dip?  Did you do a careful frequency response test at your main listening position?  That would most likely be with a  frequency test CD and sound level meter like a Radio Shack 33-4050 or similar.  Was it reasonably flat down to above 50Hz?  Perhaps it is running out of low frequency gas as it drops below 70Hz or so.  Disregard the Emo exact stated frequency response at +/- 3dB as these can be exaggerated or vary significantly from room to room.  The problem I see with the Shiiit Loki is that it only has adjustments at 20Hz, 400Hz, 2kHz, 8kHz Adjustment: +/-12dB at 20Hz and 8kHz, +/-6dB at 400Hz and 2kHz.  That is just fine for many uses.  However, if you do in fact have an annoying dip at 50Hz then that 20Hz knob might do nothing at 50Hz depending on its curve.  If you had a peak at 50Hz then dropping the 20Hz knob might help.  

Maybe others can help.  My only suggestion is to invest in a single channel multi band EQ (your sub output should be mono (not stereo) to flatten out the FR around 50Hz.  I have used an EQ like this in the past to attain very good FR from my subs with no added noise.  This is an older type solution versus some fancy digital filters.  Look online for a single channel 31 band Graphic Equalizer (15 band OK).  They are still available in different brands, many times at stereo or music/guitar shops from $140 and up.

If possible don't let the  speakers and sub cross each other's playback frequencies without attenuation.  The best is to start a speaker downward roll off and sub upward roll off at the same frequency at -3dB's (maybe at 80, 90, 100, 110Hz, etc).  

Example:     See sliders at 40, 50, 63Hz, etc.
 

[monkumonku]

Oct 2, 2020 19:52:13 GMT -5 @tllfkacn said:

..... The sound quality of recordings vary so much that if I were trying to find something ideal, I'd never stop adjusting because each song would make me try something else.  I agree and thus suggest that you set your playback frequency as flat as you can using a flat source like a test CD.  Then leave it there.  Some folks like a little  HF boost or low boost, etc, that is fine.  Unfortunately many recording engineers have different ears. 

My first question is how do you know there is a 50hz dip?  Did you do a careful frequency response test at your main listening position?  That would most likely be with a  frequency test CD and sound level meter like a Radio Shack 33-4050 or similar.  Was it reasonably flat down to above 50Hz?  Perhaps it is running out of low frequency gas as it drops below 70Hz or so.  Disregard the Emo exact stated frequency response at +/- 3dB as these can be exaggerated or vary significantly from room to room.  The problem I see with the Shiiit Loki is that it only has adjustments at 20Hz, 400Hz, 2kHz, 8kHz Adjustment: +/-12dB at 20Hz and 8kHz, +/-6dB at 400Hz and 2kHz.  That is just fine for many uses.  However, if you do in fact have an annoying dip at 50Hz then that 20Hz knob might do nothing at 50Hz depending on its curve.  If you had a peak at 50Hz then dropping the 20Hz knob might help.  

Maybe others can help.  My only suggestion is to invest in a single channel multi band EQ (your sub output should be mono (not stereo) to flatten out the FR around 50Hz.  I have used an EQ like this in the past to attain very good FR from my subs with no added noise.  This is an older type solution versus some fancy digital filters.  Look online for a single channel 31 band Graphic Equalizer (15 band OK).  They are still available in different brands, many times at stereo or music/guitar shops from $140 and up.

If possible don't let the  speakers and sub cross each other's playback frequencies without attenuation.  The best is to start a speaker downward roll off and sub upward roll off at the same frequency at -3dB's (maybe at 80, 90, 100, 110Hz, etc).  

Example:     See sliders at 40, 50, 63Hz, etc.
 View Attachment

I use an OmniMic and their test CD as well as a CD I have of single tones in 2db increments. I've always had a problem with the bass node at 50hz. The only good place for a sub in the room that is practical is the rear right corner and that's where I have my PSA 15" sub which works very well. Now you may say then why not just use that. Prior to getting the Emo 8" sub I was listening to music in 2.0 and was happy but I thought I'd get the small sub to use as a sort of utility sub - easy to move around so I could play with it with my tube set up and/or use it with my PC speakers.

I got out the Loki and hooked it up to the sub but haven't tried it with anything yet. I'm just going to play around and see how it sounds. The system through the XMC-2 has Dirac applied and there is only a subtle difference between Dirac on versus off, mainly a little more midrange with it off. With music, even with this dip it still sounds good.

[Deleted]

..... Now you may say then why not just use that.
My comment:   Why not just use that?    


..... small sub to use as a sort of utility sub - easy to move around.
My comment:  No problem IMO using it as a PC sub, etc.  However, anytime you move it you are going to get a significant FR change.  I have a great 8" sub for my PC main system but it stays put.

[bobcel]

OK just a quick question. So I just received a Schiit Loki, have not installed it as of yet. Planning on installing it between my XMC-1 and IPS amp, Front R and L mains. I am under the impression that I should set my mains to full range. Currently set small and crossed over. Would I be correct to get the most benefit for the low end of this puppy? thanks

[monkumonku]

Oct 7, 2020 22:16:33 GMT -5 bobcel said:

OK just a quick question. So I just received a Schiit Loki, have not installed it as of yet. Planning on installing it between my XMC-1 and IPS amp, Front R and L mains. I am under the impression that I should set my mains to full range. Currently set small and crossed over. Would I be correct to get the most benefit for the low end of this puppy? thanks

You'd get the most effect from setting the fronts to full range since if you have them crossed over, the 20hz knob will have less effect. That said, I am using the Loki with the Emo SE8 sub I just purchased, and I have the sub crossover set at its lowest point which is labeled 60hz. The 20hz knob still has a noticeable effect on the sound (and even the 400hz knob, to some extent), probably because of the rolloff of the sub's crossover. So even if you set the speakers to "small" the Loki will have an effect but it will have the fullest effect if you set the speakers to "large." Or, try it both ways and see which way you like it the best.

[Boomzilla]

monkumonku - On the Emotiva Lounge, you've ALWAYS been famous, and always will be! And justifiably so. I've learned a lot from you over the years, and having never previously taken the chance to say "thanks," let me do so now. I sincerely appreciate you sharing your vast knowledge.

Cordially - Glenn Young aka Boomzilla

[monkumonku]

Oct 8, 2020 21:34:46 GMT -5 Boomzilla said:

monkumonku - On the Emotiva Lounge, you've ALWAYS been famous, and always will be! And justifiably so. I've learned a lot from you over the years, and having never previously taken the chance to say "thanks," let me do so now. I sincerely appreciate you sharing your vast knowledge.

Cordially - Glenn Young aka Boomzilla

Wow... well, that was unexpected. I'm just one of the many here in the Lounge. But thank you for your kindness and grace! You are likewise a welcome fixture here... my two most recent acquisitions are the Klipsch RP600-M and Magnepan LRS (that one is still on order), both of which your reviews weighed heavily in my purchase decision. So, again, thank you for your nice words!

Rickie, aka monkumonku

[Boomzilla]

Oct 8, 2020 21:57:15 GMT -5 monkumonku said:

...thank you for your nice words!

All earned.

[bobcel]

Oct 8, 2020 15:34:55 GMT -5 monkumonku said:

Oct 7, 2020 22:16:33 GMT -5 bobcel said:

OK just a quick question. So I just received a Schiit Loki, have not installed it as of yet. Planning on installing it between my XMC-1 and IPS amp, Front R and L mains. I am under the impression that I should set my mains to full range. Currently set small and crossed over. Would I be correct to get the most benefit for the low end of this puppy? thanks

You'd get the most effect from setting the fronts to full range since if you have them crossed over, the 20hz knob will have less effect. That said, I am using the Loki with the Emo SE8 sub I just purchased, and I have the sub crossover set at its lowest point which is labeled 60hz. The 20hz knob still has a noticeable effect on the sound (and even the 400hz knob, to some extent), probably because of the rolloff of the sub's crossover. So even if you set the speakers to "small" the Loki will have an effect but it will have the fullest effect if you set the speakers to "large." Or, try it both ways and see which way you like it the best.

Thank you very much for your thoughts. I actually tried both ways and seems a better response with mains set to large. Im a product of the 70's and have always favored tweaking the tone controls a bit, depending on the source. I found myself adjusting the tone for bass and treble every time I started up my system, a bit inconvenient to say he least. This little Schiit is awesome. No crazy muffled bullcrap from what a usual eq does, much more of a tone control in my opinion, very smooth and effective. Having the bypass with a flip of the switch is also great. Just what I was after!

[monkumonku]

Oct 9, 2020 12:48:00 GMT -5 bobcel said:

Oct 8, 2020 15:34:55 GMT -5 monkumonku said:

You'd get the most effect from setting the fronts to full range since if you have them crossed over, the 20hz knob will have less effect. That said, I am using the Loki with the Emo SE8 sub I just purchased, and I have the sub crossover set at its lowest point which is labeled 60hz. The 20hz knob still has a noticeable effect on the sound (and even the 400hz knob, to some extent), probably because of the rolloff of the sub's crossover. So even if you set the speakers to "small" the Loki will have an effect but it will have the fullest effect if you set the speakers to "large." Or, try it both ways and see which way you like it the best.

Thank you very much for your thoughts. I actually tried both ways and seems a better response with mains set to large. Im a product of the 70's and have always favored tweaking the tone controls a bit, depending on the source. I found myself adjusting the tone for bass and treble every time I started up my system, a bit inconvenient to say he least. This little Schiit is awesome. No crazy muffled bullcrap from what a usual eq does, much more of a tone control in my opinion, very smooth and effective. Having the bypass with a flip of the switch is also great. Just what I was after!

Glad you like the Loki - it's a great little product at a very reasonable price! It just does its job. Me, I stopped using it because I end up going crazy and endlessly adjust things so for me it is better to just remove the choice altogether. It would be even worse if it had adjustable bands. But I did take it out to use with the sub and that really helps, plus in that case it is a set and forget kind of thing.

Enjoy the new toy!