2. speakers
  3. 129469-96541

Sub-woofer connection question

Hi all,

I have a Music-Hall a15.3 integrated amp and a JL Audio 8" "Dominion" powered sub-woofer.

The sub-woofer has speaker-level inputs (R & L, + & -) but also has line-level RCA inputs.

The amp has an RCA out as well as (of course) speaker-level out.

So I can connect the RCA out of the amp into the RCA in of the sub-woofer, but I can also piggy-back off the amp’s speaker connections to the sub-woofer’s speaker-level inputs.

I am not sure which method is better. I called Music-Hall and the guy (maybe it was Roy Hall but I am not sure) told me "I don’t like sub-woofers... just do what ever the sub-woofer manufacturer says".

But the JL Audio manual does not specify one method over the other.

I am new to sub-woofers, so I was hoping maybe somebody on the forum might be able to help.

Thanks in advance,

Eric Zwicky
Richmond VA


ezwicky
Ag insider logo xs@2x
cleeds
5,943 posts
 
mr_m
You merely place this crossover between preamp and power amp. If you have an integrated amp or receiver, you can insert them in a processor loop or tape loop
It's not a good idea to put an xover in a tape loop, if only because its level won't be controlled by the preamp's volume control.
mr_m
1,900 posts
 
Cleeds.
You could be correct about the tape loop. I have a Rogue Pharaoh integrated with no way to separate the pre from the power section of the amp. I have a high level processor loop with a set of inputs and outputs like a tape loop. The Vandersteen X-2 crossover is nothing more than a pair of high quality caps with a male RCA jack at one end and a female RCA jack at the other end. All you need is one pair of short interconnects to complete the connection to the loops ins and outs. This crossover merely attenuates the signal in the loop to be 6db down starting at 80 Hz. The only connection to the sub(s) is the speaker wires that come off the main speaker terminals of the integrated amp. Thus volume is controlled by the main amps volume control to the main speakers and sub with unity gain. Does this make sense? As I said before the attenuated bass signals are then restored to their proper level by the subs internal 300 watt amplifier.
avanti1960
1,471 posts
 
In my experience the high level inputs sound better because it integrates better with your main speakers. I have the JL Audio D110 subwoofer and it clearly sounds better using the high level connections- just connect the cables at your amplifier in parallel with the main speaker leads and terminate into the supplied connector plug.
REL makes the claim that this method is preferred for better blending and integration and I agree with them.
What are your main speakers?
There is a process you need to follow for perfect integration and I would be happy to help.   You do not need any external crossovers etc. to make this work.  
All main speakers have a natural low frequency roll off point (acoustic crossover)  and some have a built in high pass filter.  


More to discover