Bass channel not loud enough

**spoonraker** · 12-16-2006, 02:28 PM

I have a Creative Audigy SE soundcard, and 2 amps, one 4 channel amp for front and rear speakers and one mono amp for my sub. First of all let me tell you that my amp is a Cadence ZRS-9 2000W class D amp, it's plenty for the sub, trust me that's not my problem.

Anyway, the problem is the bass channel is really weak. In the Creative surround mixer settings I've got the subwoofer channel on 100% and the regular speakers on 50%, with it this way it sounds alright, but it won't get loud at all. When I put the front speakers on 100% they absolutely scream.

My question is why is the bass channel so much quieter than the others, and how do I fix it? I was thinking that I have to buy a line driver to boost the signal to the amp coming from the bass channel, but I figure I'de ask before I buy anything.

Also, I know that the bass channel is just weaker, because when I simply split the front speaker channel and send it to my mono amp, the bass is 100x louder without changing a single setting on the amp, I just like having the ability to set the crossover on the computer, and it sounds cleaner with the actually bass channel as well.

**Dennis5587** · 12-16-2006, 02:43 PM

line driver?

**spoonraker** · 12-16-2006, 02:49 PM

You connect it to your amp's input cable, it simply takes the voltage coming out of your head unit (or soundcard) and increases the voltage, which then goes into your amp.

**pnevai** · 12-16-2006, 03:09 PM

I gather that you have the input gain on the sub amp turned up, and still have low level. Also you have the correct outputs connected on the sound card. If that is the case then your amp my be looking for 2 volt or better output from the card and PC cards just do not supply that kind of voltage. A line driver with up to 6 volt outputs should do the trick.

**spoonraker** · 12-16-2006, 03:31 PM

Gain is maxed, soundcard options are maxed, it just doesn't get loud.

I wouldn't have thought about a line driver except somebody in another thread said that creative uses a different op-amp or something for the bass channel that sucks compared to the others, which is why it isn't as much power coming out.

So you think a line driver would be a good solution to this problem?

Can you link me to a few decent ones, also I'm not looking to spend a ton of money.

**3rotorFD** · 01-14-2007, 09:30 PM

what kind of amp? subwoofer? DVC sub or single coil? details are overwhelming.....
:edit: NVM about the amp.SUB???

**fixerofallthing** · 01-14-2007, 10:18 PM

I have this same problem, but only with my MP3's encoded at 128k. My XM and video files and FM are great. Maybe you are experiencing the same thing? Just a suggestion.