Hopefully not a stupid question, but using KEF’s recommended 3 o’clock volume knob position on the KC62 (LFE connection) and the recommended KEF app setting of -1 db for gain and the recommended sub high pass frequency and low pass frequency, the sub is way too overpowering in my large room, regardless of its placement. With a goal of reducing the entire volume output of the sub, should I keep the gain at -1db in the KEF app and lower the physical volume knob on the KC62, or keep the physical volume knob at 3 o’clock on the KC62 and lower the gain in the KEF app? Any help is appreciated.
I’ve got the LS50W2’S and 2 x KC62 subs.
With the LFE connection I’m almost positive that the disks on the rear of each sub for volume and crossover have no effect, you could easily test that theory, I can’t as people are in bed here…
I tend to adjust the gain of the subs via the Kef connect app only, once the sub is located and I’ve chosen the DSP on the rear and I’m happy with it.
I also leave the crossover in the app as suggested by KEF in LFE mode.
Different recordings have different levels of sub bass, I sometimes find myself moving the gain up and down between albums, if they are different artists or genres.
Luckily I listen to full albums not playlists of different artists.
Some might say the subs aren’t dialled in optimally, maybe that’s true, I have a listening room that is a family room with things like furniture in it, so sub placement is limited.
It does sound good though but these days I’m more a headphone listener.
Read this article by @mitr on integrating LS60s with KC92 subs. https://www.stereophile.com/content/kef-kc92-powered-subwoofer JCR
Assuming music sounds correct without the sub, you may have room bass nodes that the sub is exciting.
To find out if it’s a room node, download a tone generator app then sweep through the lower frequencies while airplaying from your phone to your Kefs to find out what the offending frequency is (it will suddenly get much louder as the bass resonates, roughly around the 40-150hz range).
If there’s a prominent node, try repositioning the sub, and/or use Kef’s dsp (if it allows) or MUSE to lower the level around the offending frequency. I’ve even heard of people running a second sub out of phase to counter room nodes.
In general a sub’s contribution should ‘disappear’, with the main speakers just sounding like they’ve grown an extra driver. If you can hear the sub separately or it’s distracting/dominating the music, it’s likely too loud. Turn it down until you can’t hear it then turn it up one notch.
Check YouTube for some useful REL set up videos.
I have the same set up as you and the Kef app recommended bass setting is -6db. I adjust it here and there, but -1db would be way too much bass for me. I think I keep it at -4 or so but every room is different. I set my KC62 to stereo so that could be part of it.
Hello and thanks for the input. I was able to read the suggested posts, but I guess another way of asking this question is by changing the gain on the KEF app, and changing the volume knob of the KC62, am I adjusting the same thing, whatever that thing is called?
Hello Brian, and thanks for the input. To clarify, you’re running a single sub with stereo sub set on the KEF app? Could I ask what advantage this confers? My understanding is, by design, this would only feed one channel of sub info to your sub? Maybe I don’t understand. Respectfully.
I have LS50 Wireless II and 2 KC62 Subs