Left and right subwoofers with integrated

tony1954: " @noble100 Tim. My speakers are Vienna Acoustics Mozart Grand SE's and their rated response is 30Hz – 22kHz. The SVS sub low pass filter range is 50Hz - 160Hz. When setting the sub, do I set the filter at 50Hz or is it something done by listening?

Hello tony1954,

     I think it's odd that the SB2000's low pass filter control only goes as deep as 50 Hz.  Your subs have a rated bass output extension down to 19 Hz and I would expect the control to have a lower setting that's closer to that.  Strange but we'll need to work with what you've got.
     I usually suggest to set the low pass filter about 5 Hz above the rated bass extension of the main speakers and then lower this setting as low as possible,in small increments, without noticing any negative impacts in the overall bass sound quality.
     For example, my main speakers have a rated bass extension of 35 Hz and I initially set the low pass filter at 40 Hz on my 4 subs.  I auditioned the overall system sound quality at slightly lower, and even slightly higher, low pass filter frequency settings and determined that I perceived a setting of 38 Hz to be the optimum setting in my system and room.  I also want to inform you that I run my main speakers full range and suggest you do the same.
     With your main speakers, my guideline would translate into setting the low pass filter on your pair of subs initially at 35 Hz and slowly lowering the setting from there until you notice a decrease in overall sound quality.  Obviously, you can't do this since you're limited to a lowest setting of 50 Hz.  The best solution I have thought of thus far for your situation is to try 2 alternative configurations and utilize the one that sounds best to you:

Option#1- Run your speakers full range and set the low pass filter controls on your subs to 50 Hz.  Then initially set both subs' volume controls at 50%, or even higher, and slowly decrease both settings as low as possible, in small increments, until you perceive any negative impacts in the overall bass sound quality. 

Option#2- Run your speakers full range and set the low pass filter controls on your subs to the "LFE" position.  This will effectively result in your subs operating full range, which means enough sound above 80 Hz may be reproduced by the subs for you to localize them.  Then initially set both subs' volume controls at 50%, or even higher, and slowly decrease both settings as low as possible, in small increments, until you perceive any negative impacts in the overall bass sound quality.  

      My current belief is that Option#1 will sound better to you but I'm not certain.  There is a 3rd solution option I've thought of but this would involve purchasing a Mini DSP unit, linked to below and not very expensive, that would be inserted between your integrated outputs and the subs' inputs.  

https://www.minidsp.com/applications/digital-crossovers/194-subwoofer-integration-with-minidsp

Later,
 Tim

@noble100 
Tim,

Thanks for your input and suggestions. I believe option 1 will be the preferred option as well.So, if I am understanding option 1 correctly, I would run a cable from the left pre out to the "left" sub and then use a "Y adapter" to connect it to both the left and right line inputs. The right pre out would be connected the same way to the right sub.

Hello tony1954,

     Yes, you would need two y-adapters, one for the left channel and one for the right.  You may also could check the SB 2000 manual and see if it's possible to connect the l+r channel pre-outs on the MF integrated to sub#1's l+r channel inputs and then piggy-back sub#2 to sub#1 via l+r channel outputs on sub#1 connected to the l+r channel inputs on sub#2.  This would also result in both subs receiving identical signals just as dual y-adapters would.  I'm just not sure if the SB2000s have this ability.
     I still believe that precise locating of each sub in your room, and in relation to your listening seat, are the primary factors in achieving optimum bass performance in your system.  I used the 'sub crawl' method to sequentially locate the 4 subs in my room and it proved to be extremely effective.

Later,
 Tim

@noble100 
Tim. That would be my preference, but I was trying to avoid running dual cables between the two subs. I have talked to SVS, who were very helpful by the way, and I think I will be just running a single cable to the right/LFE line input on each sub for now and see how that works. If bass is non-directional and monaural below 50Hz, then the SQ will more dependent on the sub placement than the signal.

Hello tony1954,

        Yes, bass below about 80 Hz is non-directional and monaural.  I think you're plan is good but I'm just concerned about whether or not frequencies above 80 Hz may also be sent to the subs and be reproduced.  I'm not certain but I believe the LFE inputs on the SVS subs have no filtering at all, which means your subs might reproduce frequencies above 80 Hz and you would be able to localize these as coming from the subs.
     If SVS can't clarify this issue, then you would likely need to try this setup to find out for yourself.

Later,
 Tim