Hey gang,

I just got my pioneer d409 a few weeks ago and I've been experimenting with the different settings. I was wondering how many people use the loudness button? Does it just boost the bass?

Don't use it. Makes my sub sound too boomy and distorts the sound in my opinion.

i used it when i first got the 509 because i had seen a bunch of other people say to use it, but now i agree with SirPablo... it sounds better without it. loudness helps increase bass at low volumes, so if i have it really low i may put on loudness. at normal listening volumes (and i really don't play it that high because my neighbors don't like it when the floors and walls of my apartment vibrate) it just sounds better without the loudness.

I use it at low volume, and I don't have a powered sub.

I have the 509 and a powered sub. I've found I get very little bass unless I use the loudness. Therefore, when I can I use it.

what kind of powered sub are you using? i just don't understand everyone saying that they get no bass from the sub without the loudness. i believe you, it's just surprising.

i've got the KLH 10" 120 watt powered sub that i leave about 1/3 of the way up and it still rocks the room without loudness. everyone makes fun of KLH but if a KLH is getting plenty of bass, i don't know why other subs aren't. anyone have any ideas?

I find that I would have to turn the volume up to -20 to get the power i want from it without loudness on. I never turn it off, it's great!

Folks,

If you have to play with the "loudness" button with a powered sub, then your bass management is not being done properly. Go get Video Essentials or Avia Guide to Home Theater, grab a SPL Meter (analog) from Radio Shack, and calibrate your system.

Your preferences may drive you to tweak the system a bit after you calibrate it, but you shouldn't always have to press the button.

Yes, you shouldn't have to use Loudness. You can set the level of each channel individually, so all you should do is turn yout bass channel up if you feel as if you aren't getting anything out of it.

Loudness is suck IMHO.