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Bass scoop at around 80-140 Hz (6010A/5040A)

macpro08, modified 12 Years ago.

Bass scoop at around 80-140 Hz (6010A/5040A)

Youngling Posts: 2 Join Date: 4/12/11 Recent Posts
Hi,

I've got a rather packed desktop with two 6010A's between LCD monitors, and one 5040A below the desk in the corner of the room. Left speaker is about 40 cm from the wall, the right speaker is about 20 cm from the wall. There's a 4 cm gap between the LCD's - can't afford much more. Image: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4914040/Genelec/setup.png

The problem is that high-bass frequencies between (approximately) 80 to 200 Hz are noticeably more silent than sub-bass frequencies, mids and trebles. Especially in pop/rock/prog (e.g. Sting / Dream Theater) the mids (singing, guitars) seem overly pronounced and "plastic" due to lack of upper bass. The measurement is made by ear, using music, frequency sweeps, and comparing the sound to Sennheiser HD595 and Bayerdynamics DT770, mainly Sennheisers, since DT770's are bass-rich.

I've tried the desktop setting, but it doesn't seem to improve the situation. Using the -2/-4 DIP switches in the sub removes the frequency scoop, but it also removes all bass while leaves the mids and trebles pronounced. My goal is a flat response. I get the flattest (to my ear) response with L at 0 Db, R at -2 Db and sub at -2 Db.

I've used an audio test program to turn the phase of a 70-100 Hz sine wave between 0-360 degrees. I get the loudest sound at 0°, but it's still much more silent than at 50 or 150 Hz. Don't know if this test means anything. I haven't touched the speaker phase settings yet, because it's a bit cumbersome to do and I don't really know which settings I should touch: there are three speakers and the manuals only speak about doing settings for either the sub or the desktop speakers, but not both.

I suspect that the room and the large LCDs could be a culprit here, but can I help the upper bass to become louder without using the EQ from my computer? With the phase switches for example? I have already tried moving the left and right LCDs completely away from blocking the sound, but the upper bass scoop is still there.

Thanks for any tips or tricks! :idea:
macpro08, modified 12 Years ago.

Re: Bass scoop at around 80-140 Hz (6010A/5040A)

Youngling Posts: 2 Join Date: 4/12/11 Recent Posts
One addition: I've thought about raising the speakers above the monitor, but the 30" Cinema Display is 55 cm tall. Didn't find any Genelec stands that would fit just right from the catalog.

What else than the speaker location (see the image) could cause the lack of bass in the bottom frequencies of the 6010A's? With further testing I notice that the scoop is right where the sub high pass kicks in: above 80 or 90 Hz. At 150 Hz the volume is back to even.
ilkka-rissanen, modified 12 Years ago.

Re: Bass scoop at around 80-140 Hz (6010A/5040A)

Yoda Posts: 2564 Join Date: 3/23/09 Recent Posts
Hi,

For sure the positioning of the speakers is far from optimal! But early reflections that you are having from the monitors will have an effect to the frequencies above ~500 Hz. So it isn't the reason for the bass problems you are having. Instead it sounds like a typical phase issue. You need to set the phase of the subwoofer correct so that it matches with the speakers. You can't use a computer program to change the phase, you need to change it from the subwoofer.

One way to do it is the way the operating manual advices. So have a test tone (around 80 Hz) playing through the system and change the phase setting on the subwoofer and listen when it's sounding the quietest, then flip the 180 degree switch. It doesn't matter much whether you have only one or both main speakers playing while doing this.

Other way is to have normal music (must have bass frequencies) playing through the system (both speakers + sub playing). Then go through all the phase settings (0, 90, 180 and 270 degrees) and pick the one that gives you the best bass/sound. If you have a friend to help so that you don't need to move while listening, it's helps to hear the small differences. Also you can turn the subwoofer upside down while doing the setup. It's easier to reach the dip switches that way.