I'm not really sure what forum to post this in, but I suppose this is as good as any. Can I get a little advice about integrating a subwoofer into my room, and specifically some advice about phase?
I am not high-passing my mains, and my sub has a 0/180 phase switch, along with the usual level and crossover pots. I did some crude amplitude measurements using a warble tone CD and (don't laugh) a sound level meter on my iphone (I said don't laugh), and to my ears, the "lumpier" response where the sub seems to be in phase with the mains sounds better than the "smoother" response where they appear to be out of phase. Of course, I have no access to phase plots, so I can't be sure what's going on, and I am fighting room modes, but regardless, I have slammed into my own glass ceiling when it comes to this topic. (I do have access to a very nice Level 1 Norsonic sound level meter, and I'll probably repeat my measurements with it, but I don't think it will change the question.)
So, is relative phase between a sub and mains often audible for reasons other than pure amplitude response? Am I missing something here?