First, always bear in mind that goal number one is to make the system sound good to you, regardless of technical standards. With than in mind...
Let's talk about Kenwood Cinema EQ for a second. The Cinema EQ setting is designed for Small front speakers. (I'm quoting from their brochure entitled Home Entertainment 2001-2002) "Cinema EQ Mode Delivers Powerful Sound With Small Speakers. When using small spekers, it's difficult to reproduce low-range sounds, particularly the rich, deep tones required when watching movies. No problem. Just switch on the Cinema EQ mode, and mid- and low-range frequencies are boosted to provide a dynamic sound that's balanced with subwoofer output for more movie viewing fun."
So, we've found the culprit, as you already guessed. With Cinema EQ enabled, the Kenwood is sending a boosted mid and low freq to your main speakers, including the Avia test tone. To make it worse you are sending the boost to Large speakers with 12" woofers, so your bass is REALLY emphasized! No wonder you couldn't get the 8" sub to keep up...
You'll have to keep Cinema EQ off while setting the sub's level. Theoretically, it should be kept off all the time anyway since you don't have small front speakers. But that's only the theory, do whatever sounds best to you.
In reference to your "frequency sweep" observation: If your mains are set to Large, there is no crossover freq at which the sub "takes over". The mains are full-spectrum at the large setting. However, since the signal to the subwoofer (a) consists of bass from all the channels not set to Large (b), plus the low bass from the LFE channel (c), that's a lot of signal. It may very well sound louder to you during the sweep than left and right mains which are each only carrying one personal channel bass signal.
Finally: At the risk of boring you, let me re-emphasize Larry's post about overall volume level. The suggestion to balance at a high level and then reduce the overall volume was an attempt to address your specific problem with "too much subwoofer." You will normally want to match the speaker levels at the overall volume level you want to use when listening! Watch the Avia disc's tutorial on listening at reference levels again, it's got good stuff.
Regards,
-Bruce
This message was edited by Bruce Burson on 12/18/01 05:27.46.
