Setting up the BassCube

528hz · Post by **528hz** » Fri Aug 28, 2009 7:52 am

Hello all, newb to the phorum here. But not new to CA.

So I just got a BassCube from one of your fellow memebers here and I had some questions about how would be the "best" way to go about setting it up. This phorum seems a lot more technically based than CA.com so I'm not going to be afraid to make a somewhat lengthy post.

Now, I have read the owners manual and the "Top Secret" manual about the BassCube and I understand how to use all the settings. But my questions lie in the methods.

When setting the "frequency" knob, "boost" knob, and the subsonic filter (the one inside on the board) would it be best to use a test tone or music? This is just like setting a gain on an amp, although I've never been a fan of using a 0 or -3 DB test tone to set amps. Music isn't recorded at those levels and I feel you limit your accuracy/output when setting amp gains this way. I prefer to use a -5 or-6 DB tone if I'm using a DMM, but I usually set it by ear. I listen to an assorted of genres and I want to make sure I'm getting the most from point-settings.

Setting the subsonic filter on the inside of the BassCube is just like setting one on an amp as well...am I correct? So using a 25hz tone or so would most likely be best...yes?

My box is tuned to 30hz for historical reference so any help you guys may be able to give me would be great.

Oh, and great phorum you all have here. Seems to be many more true passionate/knowledgable people compared to CA.

Post by **stipud** » Fri Aug 28, 2009 8:22 am

There's not much more to tell you than what you read in the secrets manual. It's pretty much something you just set to your taste. Reinforce the bass frequencies that you feel need the additional gain.

As for the subsonic filter, you can try running a 25Hz test tone quietly over your system, and adjusting it until you hear a very faint reduction in volume (I would probably set it a touch below this level).

Post by **ttocs** » Fri Aug 28, 2009 8:46 am

I am not sure how playing one note will allow you to diangose what freqs the sub needs a little help with?

Plug it in, turn it on and throw in few of your favorite disks. You will be suprised how much it can improve, or destroy the music depending on the type of music and how you have it. I would recomend playin with it as much as possible, you will figure it out........

yeddy · Post by **yeddy** » Fri Aug 28, 2009 3:28 pm

All you gotta do is play some music and turn some knobs! I adjust the knobs with every song...
For best results, turn the boost knob around half way, then turn the freq knob all the way counter clockwise, then sloooowly turn it clockwise untill it sound the best, simple really.

oh ya, then craNK THE BOOST FULL !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Irongoats · Post by **Irongoats** » Sat Aug 29, 2009 4:56 am

It's all by ear for me; plug it in, play some stuff, adjust.

528hz · Post by **528hz** » Sat Aug 29, 2009 2:09 pm

yeddy wrote:All you gotta do is play some music and turn some knobs! I adjust the knobs with every song...
For best results, turn the boost knob around half way, then turn the freq knob all the way counter clockwise, then sloooowly turn it clockwise untill it sound the best, simple really.

oh ya, then craNK THE BOOST FULL !!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hear you all loud and clear, but what about adjusting the subsonic filter on the inside of the BassCube? Did you all even mess with it?

That's something that is instructed to be done AFTER you set the Boost and Frequency points...

Post by **ttocs** » Sat Aug 29, 2009 2:35 pm

I found that it sounded better on the fixed mode myself but that is again really dependant on your system and what you listen too. I have a single 10 in a sealed box, ported or bandpass enclosures can sometimes use a little help to protect the sub from moving it ways it shouldn't Listen to it and then flip the switch on a few of your favorite songs and see what sounds best.

528hz · Post by **528hz** » Sat Aug 29, 2009 3:00 pm

ttocs wrote:I found that it sounded better on the fixed mode myself but that is again really dependant on your system and what you listen too. I have a single 10 in a sealed box, ported or bandpass enclosures can sometimes use a little help to protect the sub from moving it ways it shouldn't Listen to it and then flip the switch on a few of your favorite songs and see what sounds best.

I definitely hear you on the subjectivity of each one's setup.

To give you all some background, I'm running 3 RD Sonance 12s" in a Half-Octagon ported box. 5.04 cubes, tuned to 30 hz. My sub amp is a Stetsom 4k2d. Stetsoms don't have subsonic filter (at least some don't) so I am sort of concerned with the SSF setting on the inside of the box. Oh...this is in the trunk of my CLK 430 Mercedes.

I'm going to hook it up now and I'l come back in a bit...

528hz · Post by **528hz** » Sat Aug 29, 2009 4:37 pm

No luck, but I got a taste of it at least. The boost knob to my remote control doesn't seem to work, but the frequency knob works just fine.

I already like this thing more than the Epicenter I just got rid of, but once I get the knob fixed, I'll post some more thoughts as I am more able to use it.

Post by **ttocs** » Sat Aug 29, 2009 9:44 pm

are you pulling the boost knob out?

Stryker · Post by **Stryker** » Sun Aug 30, 2009 11:50 am

I would say at your tuning freq of 30Hz the freq potentiometer thing should be between 9 or 10 o'clock. My ported box is tuned at 38.5 Hz and I have that thingy at around 11ish. it does depend on taste and music you listen to. you do not ever want to go lower than your boxes tuning freq. i've had my CUBE for alot of years and it adds a whole new dimension to the music. i also use the LPL44 for separate sub volume as well. GL

528hz · Post by **528hz** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 10:17 am

Thanks for all the help guys!

I know it's a simple turn of some knobs. I just don't want to blow the hell out of my subs when taking it to the limits...you know.

So I cleaned the prongs on the BOOST knob where it connects to the circuit board and everything is a go!

I must say...this thing is REALLY amazing! It definitely cleans up the signal too.

I haven't messed with the Subsonic adjustment on the inside of the box, and I'm still skeptical of exactly how to go about it.

In the "Top Secret" manual, it says to set the BOOST knob and Frequency settings accordingly and then turn the SSF screw until the bass goes away. Then turn it back up until the bass comes back and then STOP.

I'm still wondering if a test tone would be appropriate for setting this. This step is going to be crucial, so yeah I'm kinda making a big deal out of it. When I'm running 3200 watts (after rise) I'm a little nervous.

Any of you set the internal SSF?

Stryker · Post by **Stryker** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 10:29 am

I turned it all the way down on the inside. The frequency adjustment beside the boost knob cuts off anything below what it's set at. At least I thought so and I've poured over the manuals albeit not for a long time

the internal SSF was more for installers to save boneheads from ripping there subs apart by not tuning it properly. I'm almost certain you should leave the internal SSF at it's lowest.
glad to hear you dig it's effects, I for one like the adjustability of having that as well as a general volume(LPL44).

528hz · Post by **528hz** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 10:49 am

Stryker wrote:I turned it all the way down on the inside. The frequency adjustment beside the boost knob cuts off anything below what it's set at. At least I thought so and I've poured over the manuals albeit not for a long time the internal SSF was more for installers to save boneheads from ripping there subs apart by not tuning it properly. I'm almost certain you should leave the internal SSF at it's lowest.
glad to hear you dig it's effects, I for one like the adjustability of having that as well as a general volume(LPL44).

I wanted to ask that question too, and thank you for answering about the Frequency knob. I wasn't sure if it acted like a crossover or just boosted THAT specific, set frequency.

Post by **Bfowler** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 10:51 am

the SSF is pretty handy, but dont dwell on it too much (unless you are running a vented box)

as tom said the easiest way to set it is to play a tone near the very end of your subs usable range. (25-30hz)

adjust it until you hear the not begin to fade slightly and then back up just a hair.

doing this will allow you to remove only the frequencies that you can't hear anyway and thus not trouble your sub with playing them which will let in concentrate on notes it can play effectively

528hz · Post by **528hz** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 10:53 am

Bfowler wrote:the SSF is pretty handy, but dont dwell on it too much (unless you are running a vented box)

as tom said the easiest way to set it is to play a tone near the very end of your subs usable range. (25-30hz)

adjust it until you hear the not begin to fade slightly and then back up just a hair.

doing this will allow you to remove only the frequencies that you can't hear anyway and thus not trouble your sub with playing them which will let in concentrate on notes it can play effectively

Yeah...I'm running a ported box and a lot of power...

Stryker · Post by **Stryker** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 10:57 am

I just read the secrets again and I'm leaving the SSF set at the lowest and the available boost set at highest

never had a worry Or any blown subs. I also use the SSF on the amps instead. well Gl with it.

528hz · Post by **528hz** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 11:06 am

Stryker wrote:I just read the secrets again and I'm leaving the SSF set at the lowest and the available boost set at highest never had a worry Or any blown subs. I also use the SSF on the amps instead. well Gl with it.

Unfortunately, Stetsom amps don't have subsonic filters. **constitutes the paranoia**

Stryker · Post by **Stryker** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 11:40 am

uuuummmmm......

gotcha!!

Post by **Bfowler** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 12:04 pm

if its tuned to 30hz, then you still want a 25hz tone because that is 1/3 octave below your tuning frequency. (which is what the bass cube secrets advised) basically you are using the SSF at this point to make sure its not playing below your tuned frequency.

Stryker · Post by **Stryker** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 12:21 pm

Bfowler wrote:if its tuned to 30hz, then you still want a 25hz tone because that is 1/3 octave below your tuning frequency. (which is what the bass cube secrets advised) basically you are using the SSF at this point to make sure its not playing below your tuned frequency.

Exactly well said!!

528hz · Post by **528hz** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 10:48 am

Bfowler wrote:if its tuned to 30hz, then you still want a 25hz tone because that is 1/3 octave below your tuning frequency. (which is what the bass cube secrets advised) basically you are using the SSF at this point to make sure its not playing below your tuned frequency.

Definitely! I've got a -5 DB 25 hz tone I'm going to use for the SSF setting.

Thanks for everything, gentlemen!