I wonder if I am having an issue with my subwoofer. On the demo disk provided with the TL, track 22(?) is a demo by Elliot that demo's each channel separately. The only way I can hear anything on the subwoofer channel demo is to turn the volume up to max and the subwoofer up to max. Even then it is very hard to hear. I don't "feel" very much either. Elliot said it is supposed to be subtle, and the base certainly sounds ok when the entire mix plays back.

Is this how your subwoofer works or should I check with service? Thanks.

 

Have you opened up the cover in the trunk and looked at the sub? Is it similar to the old one? Flat? Or is it more like a typical sub with a deeper cone and larger magnet? I assume it uses a separate amp. Overall, does it sound better then the older models? Can someone install an aftermarket sub in its place or do you have trunk lid bar issues like the old one?

 

I was listening to this track last night (in the driver's seat). With the overall volume set to a "moderate" level (louder than background, somewhat louder than you'd want if you were trying to carry on a conversation, but certainly not all the way up to where it would be uncomfortable), with all levels set to the default middle position, with the windows and sunroof closed and no other sounds, the subwoofer output was easily heard and felt. It was certainly not the world-is-coming-to-an-end effect I get on my home 18" Velodyne subwoofer and it is not nearly as loud as the other channels, but it was easily heard.

If your listening conditions were similar to what I described above, my opinion is that there is something wrong with your audio system.

 

Mine was the same way. Can bearly hear it in demo. System sounds great overall though.

 

I would guess this is normal. Mine is the same way. The sub probably produces only sounds below 100 hertz. Those frequencies are barely audible and really more "felt" than heard. The mid-range speakers probably get down close to or beyond 100 hz.

 

I played that demo section a second time Saturday, this time while driving. Tire noise and vibration was enough that I was unable to hear the subwoofer portion at all. But while parked it was audible.

 

When I first posted, I had played the demo while driving. Elliot said it was subtle, but that seemed rediculous. I finally tried it sitting in the back while parked. You could definitely hear and feel the bass. Since the mixed track on 23 sounds great even while driving, I guess there is nothing wrong with the system. Thanks for your various observations!

 

Since I don't have mine yet I can only guess but it should be similar to a good home system. You shouldn't actually be able to tell where the subwoofer is, if you can its set too high. It is only used to produce very low bass as an enhancement for very low frequencies, from about 20 -100 hz I think.

 

Time to goto the ear doctor

 

In my "Impressions after 9 days" post in this forum I graphed the output of the TL system. In playing the CD test tones, 16 Hz was easily felt (the car was parked and quiet). About the only natural musical instrument that produces that is a 32' organ pipe. At 20 Hz and above, the output was more than just subtle, it was quite loud. (The lowest A on the piano is 27 Hz.) By the time it reached 40 Hz it was very loud but still sounded clean. This is an outstanding subwoofer by almost any standards. My point is that the reason that particular demo track is not very loud is because the source just doesn't have very much low bass, not because the subwoofer can't play very loudly and cleanly when it needs to.