2.1 /2.2 Should be part of the regular SoundID Reference App

I totally agree with you. It feels like a major oversight not to include basic 2.1 and 2.2 support in the standard version of SoundID Reference. Sub integration is such a fundamental part of many modern studio setups—it's not some niche, advanced feature that should be locked behind a multichannel license designed for full Atmos workflows. It’s frustrating when you're just trying to dial in your system accurately, and you're forced to consider a much more expensive product that includes a ton of capabilities you don’t need. Hopefully SoundID takes this feedback seriously and brings more flexible options to users who just want proper sub calibration without going all-in on Atmos. We're not asking for the world—just sensible functionality for common setups.

subs are mono. Why would you need two channels ? unless you're in large theatre / cinema

Subwoofers operate in the frequency range most affected by room modes. Measuring the subwoofer separately allows the correction algorithm to target these issues more accurately without interference from the main speakers. Additionally, in a 2.1 setup, the subwoofer and speakers share part of the frequency spectrum around the crossover point (e.g., 60-80 Hz). Measuring them together would make it difficult to isolate whether a frequency anomaly is due to the subwoofer, the satellites, or their interaction. Measuring them individually lets the software fine-tune each component’s response for a better blend at the crossover. Most subwoofer setups also suffer from phase misalignment with the main speakers, causing cancellation or reinforcement in overlapping frequencies. Individual measurement enables better correction of phase, delay, and polarity, leading to tighter, more coherent bass.

Room correction software like SoundID reference  generates custom EQ profiles. A combined measurement would average out issues, possibly leading to suboptimal EQ settings for both the sub and the mains. Individual measurement ensures each driver gets an optimal correction curve. Last, but not least, subwoofers require individual level matching to the mains. Measuring the sub on its own allows the software to set the appropriate gain without being biased by the main speakers' levels.

In a home studio, calibrating in 2.1 instead of 2.0 is important because the subwoofer handles the low-end frequencies that most studio monitors can't reproduce accurately. Even though subs are mono, calibrating in 2.1 lets you: Balance the crossover properly between your main monitors and the sub. Avoid bass build-up or cancellation, which happens when low frequencies from the mains and the sub interfere. Ensure phase alignment, so the sub and speakers work together smoothly instead of fighting each other. Monitor your mix more accurately, especially the low-end energy, which is critical for mastering or streaming platforms. So yes, subs are mono, but proper calibration in 2.1 is essential—even in small studios—to make sure the low-end is clean, tight, and translates well on other systems.

Yes agreed,  I understand all the theory. 

My questions was why the 2.2?  two channels for LFE? 

Why LFE? In music production we don't use LFE channels. LFE stands for low frequency effects. It's a dedicated mono channel in 5.1 dolby audio streams. In music production a sub is used to extend the frequency range of the main channels. They for example take the 20-60 Hz range (as in at least a 12" model) and allow a setup with smaller mains (as in adams s3v for example) to accurately monitor stuff below ~40 Hz, the lowest this model could reach on is own. You see? The sub becomes an extension that plays everything in this sub range (not only special effects as in LFE) and additionally takes off some of the extra work the mains would have to achieve, often resulting in a much better mids reproduction as well. Of course in this scenario 2.2 is the best possible solution, as you usually listen to stereo material and could extend each monitor on its own. Also, a single sub has a lot of work to do, in order to extend two mains, which often is problematic with bass heavy music because of it's limited headroom, often below 120 dBspl.

How do we up this? I bought a sub and find it ridiculous I cant measure the low end. Even using a daisy chain method which most sub manfus suggest how to connect to your monitors. All soundid is doing is measuring now my speakers without any lowend since the sub removed them with the built in highpass. So now my measurements are showing a -11db in 40-80 range lol. So it is trying to fix a problem that is not even there since I am using the subs built it cross over. I cant use the bypass either then. Frustrating to say the least.

Hey,

1. Turn off the subwoofer and start by measuring and calibrating the main monitors only.
2. Play a -18 LUFS pink noise signal through the monitors.
3. At the listening position, use an SPL meter (C-weighted, slow response) and adjust the monitor output level until it reads 80 dB SPL. This gives us a calibrated reference where -18 LUFS = 80 dB SPL.
4. Once that’s done, turn off the monitors and turn on the subwoofer.
5. Make sure the subwoofer is placed physically aligned with the main speakers:
   • The sub should be centered between the left and right speakers,
   • And placed at the same distance from the front wall as the mains.
6. Set the sub’s low-pass filter to 80 Hz.
7. Play the same -18 LUFS pink noise, filtered to 20–80 Hz, and adjust the sub’s level until it reads 75 dB SPL at the listening position.
8. Finally, adjust the sub’s phase to ensure it sums correctly with the mains in the crossover region when everything is back on.

This setup ensures proper acoustic and phase alignment between the monitors and the sub for accurate, balanced low-end response.

Paulo,

Thanks for your response. I will try this. What app will give me an accurate SPL reading? Should I use room wizard with my reference soundid mic? 

After I do this and turn everything back on, am I to measure with soundid again with both the sub and main monitors on? My thought is if the crossover is set to 80, the full range will not play through my main monitors and sound ID will then want to compensate for that. I was thinking of just measuring my main monitors and then take that preset measurement and filter it to 80hz so sound ID will only treat above 80 Hz.

that seems like the best way since there’s no way to accurately the sub 

has anyone tried this?

Also, I just found out. I am probably in a null zone for my listening position because I have a huge dip around 80 Hz of  -9DB and then a huge bump of about 9 DB around 110 Hz. I’m using the kali in 8v2s 3 ways and the monitors are on stands above 15 inches from the wall with some panel treatments. Where should I try to move them?

Thats most likely SBIR from the monitor/wall distance. Get them as close to the front wall, as physically possible and measure again, the problem should be resolved, or at least much less exaggerated. Cheers

Do not measure or calibrate main monitors and subwoofer together in SoundID. It causes incorrect correction due to overlapping frequency handling.

So am I to just measure monitors and then enable 80hz cross over along with volume calibration on tbe sub?

Step 1: Turn subwoofer OFF

Step 2: Measure and calibrate mains only in SoundID

Step 3: Set SoundID correction range from 80 Hz and up

Step 4: Turn subwoofer ON after SoundID calibration

 

• Your subwoofer should be aligned with the main speakers:

  • Same distance from the front wall as the mains
  • Centered between the speakers or symmetrically placed
  • Phase and time alignment should be checked with REW or test tones to avoid cancellation

   

And there you have it. Sound ID would be able to handle all of the last steps regarding the sub itself, but out of pure greed they let people work with third party software, trusting their ears, additional steps without any feedback on improvements. Exactly what this company wanted to solve in the first place. Now we came full circle. You either buy multichannel just to be able to measure a subwoofer individually, or you start with workarounds and trial and error, again.

Like I said a million times at this point - add subs to reference. There's not a single reason on this planet, why this would be a bad idea. Not even from your margin perspective. It's just for the subs. People that need multichannel, still need to buy it. I simply don't get it. 

So muli channel would measure it? From what I was reading that only works as a lfe hook up or seperate output from interface. I read somewhere if using the daisy chain method you are simply out of luck unless you have the soundid for apollo with a UAD interface that has “bass management” for it. Or they eventually integrate it with soundid reference :/

Best practice in a studio setup with a sub:

• Don’t think of it as 2.1 (LFE style) — think of it as a full-range system where the sub supports the mains.
• Measure and calibrate the mains alone (sub off) in SoundID.
• Turn the sub back on after calibration, align its level, phase, and crossover point manually (e.g., using REW).

Until SoundID introduces bass management in the stereo version, that’s the cleanest and most reliable solution. 2.1 setup is primarily designed for home cinema / consumer playback, not for studio monitoring.

Yes, Paulo I just downloaded REW to measure the SPL levels but its a bit of a learning curve.

Can you give me the steps to dial in the sub using REW?

Also.. will my soundid mic work fine with REWs spl meter for levels I keep seeing a small dialogue box saying to use another meter to calibrate REWs meter lol.

Just to check — are you running your sub daisy-chained from the mains, or do you have it connected to a separate output/input from your interface? (I mean for bass extension, not an LFE setup.)

Knowing this will help figure out the cleanest way to measure and dial everything in with REW!

Hi Paulo.

It is daisy-chained from the mains

I think I understand how to measure the SPL now for the mains -80 spl and sub -75 spl.

However when I turn everything back on with the sub crossover set to 80hz after measuring the mains with soundID how do I align the phase, or anything else needed to do with REW?

Thx.

Could you send me a screenshot of your SoundID (Sonarworks) measurement results? That way I can take a look at the response and help you spot any phase, crossover, or alignment issues more easily.

Feel free to grab the graph that shows the uncorrected and corrected response — that would be perfect!

Thanks!!!