speakers and cables

@grisly, this thread and the many replies to it left me with a few questions about my own system (which is actually a good thing--to be periodically evaluating your system and possible changes that could be made to setting up the existing components),

so I finally got around to re-reading the manual for my ancient M&K sub to see if I could answer some of my own questions. Which is NOT to say that what applies to my old M&K sub/system applies to other sub/systems.

However, M&K stated emphatically (in bold print) that their subs (at least at the time, which was ’93) have no high pass filter (meaning to me--no crossover).

M&K, at the time, recommended using RCA versus speaker wire connections and stated it would give better bass performance from the sub.

They also explicitly said it was okay to use ’Y’ splitters from the preamp but they also said that "in many cases, the slight improvement this makes in bass quality may be offset by slight degradation of sound quality through the satellite speakers." They go on to say that they do not recommend ’Y’ splitters,, but "feel free to experiment." (As I assume you are presently doing.)

M&K really did seem to like, at the time, the idea of putting a high pass filter between the preamp and the amp and running the RCAs out TO the sub from the HP filter. I suppose that is why I bought one and went that route for a while. However, it should be noted that M&K also manufactured the HP filter they suggested that I use. (I may try it again as a result of this discussion, but if I do I’ll configure things a tiny bit differently--I’ll go balanced from my CDP into preamp, and then I’ll have to go RCAs out of my preamp the rest of the way.)

@immathewj I plugged in the splitters and rewired the speakers.

The speakers definitely "came forward". The subs seem to have a weaker signal - maybe because it's low level, but I can boost the gain for sure. I will listen now for a couple hours to my usual test CDs and albums

That actually sounds like a good thing to me?

Because you can play with your level adjustments on the subs and the setting of your low pass filters on the subs to see if you can bring more bass out?

Regardless, give it a good period of time to let that new sub break in and everything settle in.  

@immathewj 

I will probably go back to high level connections. So far I have mixed feelings about the splitter. I will give it another day of listening and then switch and compare. 

Overall, it also gives me perspective that these may not be the best speakers for me and I should go back an integrated amp, start with the latter first. I know a 45 year old amp (Hafler DH-200) will become more pain than fun eventually. I am working around limitations and it feels like I am always coming up short. 

Part of it is that I expect more and more and I feel I accomplish less - a purely emotional aspect.

Thanks for all your help, it's fun journey though :) I think the more complex the sound is the more critical we become.

@mswale , if OP hooked up to both of his subs from amp + to + and - to -, and then he went from his subs to his speakers in the same manner (+ to + and - to -) is there any reason that his subs (or speakers) would be out of phase with each other? That is a serious question; OP did report that he felt that things sounded "thinner."

@immatthewj not always the case. My HT subs are hooked up LFE to my receiver. Only other plug is the wall outlet. When I swapped out my HT receiver, and was doing the room correction. It was telling me my subs are out of phase. Checked the phase switch, both pointing up. Then I flipped one, and they were in phase, but out phase with the front channels. So swapped them the other way, and was good to go. Same went for one of my Dolby Atmos speaker, it's wired internally backwards, been listing to this way for years with out knowing. 

You never know, and they need to be tested, it's easy....

Turn on the subs, play some bass...

Then turn your balance to the R, listen, then to the L, listen, back to center. 

If the bass is loudest at center they are in phase, if not, they are out of phase. 

@immathewj I ended up with this, it has more (too much) bass for sure but I will play with it, check the phases as advised above and figure out the right settings. It did push me to dislike my amp as it has connection issues, I almost have to hit it with a hammer when I turn it on.