REL is the brand name of a very popular and reputable subwoofer manufacturer. I own one of their subs and give it an unqualified recommendation.
Adding a sub woofer?
Running a Planar 6 to Icon Audio Ps1 Mk2 to Quicksilver Mid Monos into Klipsch RP8000F speakers. Want more low end, thinking of adding a sub. The mono blocks don't have a dedicated sub output so I was thinking about something like a PSB 250 which has both pre amp and speaker level inputs with speaker level outputs. A couple of questions.
What are the pros and cons of using the sub's preamp level inputs vs the speaker level inputs in this application?
And more importantly, right now my setup is pretty much tube analogue the whole way (and aside from the soft low end, I absolutely love the overall sound) - but does an inline sub like this do any processing, will it color the mids and highs in some way or is it just a clean pass-through in terms of sending the signal along to the speakers?
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Ryan
What are the pros and cons of using the sub's preamp level inputs vs the speaker level inputs in this application?
And more importantly, right now my setup is pretty much tube analogue the whole way (and aside from the soft low end, I absolutely love the overall sound) - but does an inline sub like this do any processing, will it color the mids and highs in some way or is it just a clean pass-through in terms of sending the signal along to the speakers?
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Ryan
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- 49 posts total
REL is the current fad in subs, at least until the next one comes along. The solution with subs is to use subs. As in, more than one. Use four and no matter what they are you are practically guaranteed of excellent awesome bass like you never heard before. This approach is called a Distributed Bass Array and relies on the facts that all subs (yes even REL!) create lumpy bass, moving the sub around doesn't change this it only moves the lumps around, you can't tell where subs are anyway because you can't localize such low bass. So the answer is to use lots of subs, so each one puts out less bass, but all together they add up to super smooth, even, and incredibly deep bass. Use four and it hardly matters what they are, you will be impressed. Do a search and read, everyone who actually does it will confirm. In terms of connections you want the subs to be additional. That is, continue to run L and R full range. Doesn't matter how the subs are connected. Speaker level is as good as line level. It imposes no additional load or harm on the amp. You can even use line-level only subs and run them off speaker level, just use a cheap Line Out Converter (LOC) you can buy at Parts-Express for $10. My system for years was just like yours. Tube amp, great sound, just never had great bass. The bass now is awesome, no-apologies, SOTA bass. https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/8367 |
I prefer using line level with any sub that I have owned. Some prefer speaker level. It all depends on the main speakers that you are using with the sub. REL has been around for 30 years so I would not call it a current fad! https://rel.net/our-story/ |
Speaker level or line level is all the same and has nothing to do with the speakers used. Here's a very good technical article that explains exactly what the difference is: two resistors. https://www.epanorama.net/circuits/speaker_to_line.html/ This actually works, by the way. Its what I used to add a pre-out to my tube amp, as per the mod shown in the last photo. https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/8367 |
- 49 posts total