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DRAGON Support / Articles / Calibrating Bass Performance

DRAGON Support / Articles / Calibrating Bass Performance

Calibrating Bass Performance

Everyone has different bass preferences. Some prefer strong, deep and impactful bass, while others might opt for a more controlled, balanced and melodic experience. Here’s how the Nakamichi DRAGON can cater to all types of desired bass experiences.

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Optimizing Subwoofer Placement

Refer to our Speaker Placement Recommendations article. 

 

For systems with 2 subwoofer cabinets, we recommend placing them towards the front corners of the room to maximize bass output and minimize dead spots.

Calibrating Bass Output

Basic Controls

  • DRAGON allows you to quickly adjust the number of active subwoofers to your listening preferences. Press ⬆️/⬇️ on the remote when the OSD is not being displayed to adjust.

  • Settings available: QUAD SUBS, TRIPLE SUBS, DUAL SUBS, SINGLE SUB

Calibrating Bass Performance-02-min.jpg

  • To maximize bass intensity, use MOVIE 1 or MUSIC 1 EQ. For a more balanced bass profile with heightened dynamic range, press the Movie or Music EQ buttons twice/thrice to select MOVIE 2 / 3 or MUSIC 2 / 3 EQ. MOVIE 3 and MUSIC 3 offers the most dynamic range.

Calibrating Bass Performance-03-min.jpg
Calibrating Bass Performance-03-min.jpg

Upgrade your firmware

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  • Firmware 3.9 adds INFERNO Mode: A high output, low-frequency tuning for DRAGON systems with 12” subwoofers, designed to unleash greater depth, authority, and room-pressurizing performance.

    To enable, press and hold ▶️ for 5 seconds on your remote. To disable, press and hold ◀️.
    INFERNO Mode will be always enabled for systems operating a single 12” subwoofer.
     

  • Since firmware 2.1, the output of dual-opposing 8” subwoofers has been intensified at lower listening volumes. Systems running firmware 2.0 and above also feature an additional low-frequency effect (LFE) channel control to further personalize bass performance.

 

Click here to verify your firmware version and view instructions to perform the firmware upgrade.

 

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Lower the volume of Low-Frequency Effects (LFE) - Firmware 2.0 and above

The LFE adjustment feature lets you decrease the volume of low-frequency effects to suit your room environment and sonic preferences (Default Frequency = 0dB). 

 

If the bass feels too intense: 

  1. Press HOME to access the On Screen Display (OSD).

  2. Under the Audio tab, select Audio Setup > Subwoofers Setup.

  3. Under the ‘Low-Frequency Effect’ setting, make slight adjustments (1-3dB). Test with music or movie content. Use this setting to fine-tune the bass response from the on-board equalizers, in conjunction with the subwoofer volume level, crossover and bass control.

 

Set the volume level of subwoofers:

  1. Press HOME to access the On-Screen Display (OSD).

  2. Under the Calibration tab, select ‘Advanced Sound Setup’ > ‘Volume Level Calibration’.

  3. Scroll down. Under 'SUBWOOFERS', press ◀️/ ▶️ on your remote to adjust the volume of each connected subwoofer type. (Default Volume = 7)

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For systems with 2 x 12" subwoofer cabinets only:

  1. Press HOME to access the On-Screen Display (OSD).

  2. Under the System Tab, select ‘Subwoofers Manual Pairing’. Ensure the configuration type is set to ‘12” Subs Only’.

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Bass Too Strong or Overpowering?

Ensure INFERNO Mode is off (For systems with 2 or more 12" subwoofer cabinets)

  1. With the OSD off, press and hold the ◀️ button until the main unit display shows “INFERNO OFF”.

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Lower the crossover

  1. Press HOME to access the OSD.

  2. Under the Audio tab, select Advanced Audio Settings. Lower the subwoofer crossover (default: 200Hz).

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Lower the volume level of both subwoofers

  1. Press HOME to access the OSD.

  2. Under the Calibration tab, select Advanced Sound Setup > Volume Level Calibration.

  3. Scroll down to Left/Right Subs, and lower the volume level of both subwoofers.

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Optimize Subwoofer Placement

  1. Shift the subwoofers a few inches away from the nearest walls to even out bass response. 

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Reduce the number of active subwoofers: 

  1. With the OSD off, press 🔽 to lower the number of active subwoofers. Select from: QUAD SUBS, TRIPLE SUBS, DUAL SUBS or SINGLE SUB.

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