Two subwoofers for two channel music listening


Hi all , 
How do you hook up two active subwoofers? I have two SVS 1000 series subwoofers with both high level (speaker) and line level (RCA) ins.

Method one - Lets say the subs have high/speaker level inputs. So do you hook up the left sub from the left amplifier out and similarly right speaker out from the amp to right sub high level in? This set up is just like the stereo pair of speakers.

Method two - The alternate is from a preamp hook up the RCA line in of one subwoofer then daisy chain i.e. RCA out from the first sub to the RCA in of the second subwoofer. Not using a Y splitter from the preamp. Trying to use both red and white RCA from preamp to red and white RCA in of the first sub.

Which method do you prefer? Any benefit or disadvantage of one over the other? Thanks for your comments and inputs.
128x128confuse_upgraditis
Right. The only proper way to hook up subwoofers is with a dedicated two way subwoofer crossover preferably digital. The preamp outputs go to the crossover which will have dedicated main amp and sub amp outputs all line level. This rolls off the main speakers improving integration and lowering distortion in the main speakers. Good bass management systems will give you a wide choice of crossover point and slopes. The best will also automatically correct for phase and time and do room control.
Any other method is challenged one way or another. REL approach is just a cheap way to do it. Their insistence that is is the best is a rouge to sell more subwoofers. They know people who are buying their inexpensive subs do not want to spend more money and/or deal with more complexity. If they recommended the right way nobody would buy their subs. What you have here is a dysfunctional relationship between a manufacturer and it's clients destined to produce mediocrity, an interesting relationship common in the political world. The best subwoofer systems use passive subwoofers. You have to die laughing. You have all these audiophiles spending ridiculous money to keep their electronics isolated but they are fine jamming an amplifier into a earthquake replicating machine wherein the pressures vary from +- 30 PSI. So, why doesn't the industry produce passive subs? Passive subs in most cases are not much less expensive. Plate amps are dirt cheap and they make a lot of money selling them. People love all in one cheap solutions. It is the culture. JL Audio cuts it both ways. They make amplified subs with crossovers like everyone else but for people who want to do it right they make an analog subwoofer crossover to go between the preamp and amplifiers. The DEQX Premate has a wonderful bass management system with which you can set up a SOTA subwoofer system.
The only proper way to hook up subwoofers is with a dedicated two way subwoofer crossover preferably digital. The preamp outputs go to the crossover which will have dedicated main amp and sub amp outputs all line level. This rolls off the main speakers improving integration and lowering distortion in the main speakers.
I've had the best results using an external crossover as well. Back in my home theater days I purchased an Outlaw ICBM-1 for bass management in the analog domain, including integration of 2 subs. I kept only the ICBM-1 when I went back to 2-channel. It's been in/out of my systems for years and I still find it to be quite transparent and incredibly handy. OP .. these can still be found used on ebay in the $200-$250 range. Here's a review from back in the day if you'd like to know more about it.

http://www.soundstagenetwork.com/revequip/outlawaudio_icbm.htm

Each method will work but the first one would be prferable to me because the pre amp method would strongly depend on the features of the pre amp and the first method the features are usually on the sub like volume level and phase.
Designers at REL say to use the speaker output from your amplifier with your speakers hooked up to the same jack if you only have one set of outputs.
pre-sub-amp-mains

To make it easier for your amp, and for your mains: go preamp line out to self-powered sub.

then sub sends everything but low bass to the amp

then amp to mains.

amp does not have to amplify low bass signals (they are the biggest power need).

mains do not try to make low bass, also the hardest to do. this lets them do an easier and cleaner job of highs, mids, upper bass.

this allows a less powerful amp to be used, and that especially makes it easier to try tubes.

smaller amp = less: money; size; weight; heat. = more placement options.