Boomy bass from subs when using both USB out and Sub out

[jcschlic]

I noticed that when using USB out and Sub out simultaneously I get very boomy/poppy bass from my subs. There are no issues when using line out and sub out simultaneously. It might be that utilizing the USB output renders the sub out crossover useless?

Is anyone else having this issue? I sent in a ticket for it, but I wanted to see if anyone else is having a similar issue.

 

[Wiimer]

I noticed that when using USB out and Sub out simultaneously I get very boomy/poppy bass from my subs. There are no issues when using line out and sub out simultaneously. It might be that utilizing the USB output renders the sub out crossover useless?

Is anyone else having this issue? I sent in a ticket for it, but I wanted to see if anyone else is having a similar issue.

Hi

How are the USB and Line-out volume levels set? Also, are you applying boost correction via EQ or RoomFit?

E.g., if the USB output volume is fixed at 100% and boosted by EQ, distortion may be audible.

 

[jcschlic]

Thank you for your response.

Because the Ultra feeds a four channel amplifier (two channels for mains, two channels for passive subs), it is completely acting as a preamplifier. So, everything is set as variable. No, there is no EQ or RoomFit being used.

 

[jcschlic]

An update: I restarted the Ultra, re-ran the "Speakers and Subwoofer Sync" function, and it helped a little bit. I still feel like the bass feels unnatural to some degree.

 

[slartibartfast]

An update: I restarted the Ultra, re-ran the "Speakers and Subwoofer Sync" function, and it helped a little bit. I still feel like the bass feels unnatural to some degree.

How are you matching the subwoofer volume to the main speaker volume?

 

[jcschlic]

Because all power amplifier channels are fixed, the best adjustment I can make is the Wiim's sub out level. I have to turn it down to -7dB (plus or minus 1 depending on music) in order for it to integrate well. Therefore, I guess you can say I'm purely going off of perception to match.

It's sounding much better now. I appreciate your help. I had just wanted to see if anyone else was experiencing the bass boom/pop I was having. It just seemed weird how going directly from line out to usb out would create such a bass discrepancy.

 

[harkpabst]

The gain of your components can be (and obviously is) different between both setup, line output and USB out to an external DAC. As @slartibartfast has already indicated you have to adjust the subwoofer level individually for each setup. Or you'll have to match the volume between both setups further down the chain.

 

[jcschlic]

Another update on this: After not really being satisfied with previous results, and still having what felt like bloated/boomy/poppy bass, I discovered that manually setting the Subwoofer & Speakers sync to a slower delay than what the automatic was setting has solved my issue. The automatic was usually setting around 59 to 62 ms latency. Now, with manual engaged, a setting of 85 ms is sounding much more natural.

I'm not exactly sure what aspect of the software while using the combo of USB and sub out resulted in such discrepancy, but tinkering has led to a solution.

 

[HansD-NL]

Another update on this: After not really being satisfied with previous results, and still having what felt like bloated/boomy/poppy bass, I discovered that manually setting the Subwoofer & Speakers sync to a slower delay than what the automatic was setting has solved my issue. The automatic was usually setting around 59 to 62 ms latency. Now, with manual engaged, a setting of 85 ms is sounding much more natural.

Really, that's strange because around 60 ms is (more than) 20 meters of distance between mains and subwoofer placement.

 

[hgo58]

I'm not exactly sure what aspect of the software while using the combo of USB and sub out resulted in such discrepancy, but tinkering has led to a solution.

What is the signal chain out of the USB? Maybe you have a high delay there?

 

[jcschlic]

I agree that this is strange (about needing to set the delay), and I wonder if one of two different things are going on. One might be that when you use USB and Sub out at the same time something is going haywire with the software. Another might be that it has something to do with my DAC, which is a Denon DA-300USB. Lastly, it might be important that I'm only sitting about 7 feet away from my speakers (but I think that's unlikely).

To be specific about the signal chain out of USB, it's this:

-Wiim Ultra USB out using Supra USB A to B cable to Denon DA-300USB DAC, Wiim Ultra Sub out
-Denon DA-300USB DAC RCA out to 2 channels on my 4 channel power amp, Wiim Ultra Sub out to 2 other channels on the same 4 channel power amp.
-Amp powers two main speakers and two separate passive subs