KEF Kube sounds....rubbish?

[Chucklehead]

I know there will be lots of i told you so's but...

Sony BDPS350
Denon AVR1610
Kef KHT1005.2

This is my first attempt at a setup, and pretty much everything is out of the box, bar running the Audyssey setup on the Denon amp. I'm not knowledgeable enough to fiddle with the amp or fart about too much with the 0/180 phase or Hz settings on the back of the sub.

When watching some films (most notably Dark Knight) the sub just seems so so poor. For long lows, and frequent bangs it's great.. But there are certain frequencies it sounds like someone popping a top hat. It's horrible. It's not even the lowest stuff or the loudest stuff. Just some "stuff".

I know i was told it was a crap sub from quite a few people, but in the audition i had it sounded pretty good. With most blu-ray's i watch it's fair to competent but this Dark Knight experience has taken the edge off it.

Where to start? Amp settings? The few dials that are on the back of the sub?

I'm going to be back at the house with this kit at the weekend and need some ideas.

[tdm34ds]

Re-run the Audessey set up again after turning the Crossover control all the say up
(the 140hz setting) and the volume to approx the 3 o'clock setting

The amp will then determine the correct crossover point using the Audessey system
it should be much more accurate transition from the sub to the satellite speakers

Before auto Calibration was widespread we used to get lots of issues like this...

[Chucklehead]

thanks for that, didn't even think of that!

Anyone with any other ideas on how to get the most out of my setup, i'd be glad to hear from you.

[Graham E]

Use it for 2-3 weeks, THEN run the setup - audio kit has to run in before it sounds any good, especially speakers. It's not uncommon to have to turn the sub down by 3040 % as it "loosens up" from new.

[Oakey]

My Kef sub blew. Do you know why? Because I left it plugged in and turned on 24/7. It seems that the 'standby' function isn't really a 'standby' at all and to use it as such will blow the sub. Something that may have been important to include in the manual. Kef, wkers that they are, want £100 to repair it despite it being a well known problem and one of their biggest suppliers telling me that the number of returns they've had runs to the hundreds.

[Tokoloshe]

How about putting the sub up for sale and buying a BK gemini Mk2 with the sale money.

Is a much better sub and instead of playing around with settings constantly totry and make the Kef sound decent you would save yourself a lot of time and hassle getting a good sub to begin with. the Kef surrounds are generally okay, but the Kube subs arent brillaint.

[Chucklehead]

it's a new house and i still have too much to do without thinking about changing things i already own!

I'll give it a bit, try audyssey again and then go from there