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Wiring question : amp-sub-speakers

I am pretty new to audio world and am looking for an advice regarding wiring Denon PMA 2000 IVR integrated amp, Polk PSW 550 sub and JBL studio 530 speakers. Current wiring is, Amp to JBL using the main binding post and Amp to Sub using preout. It sounds great up to certain volume level and JBL 5" woofer starts over-excursion, aka bottoming out, at a higher volume(knob 11 o’clock & >90 decibel) to fast tempo low frequency sound like drum kicks. I am not sure how to improve this situation. Sub manual suggest "Speaker-level" connections, i.e., Amp to Sub and Sub to JBL. Is it connection issue, JBL issue, or Amp issue? Thanks in advance.
ubee67
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
ubee, your problem is that you are not using a high pass filter in front of your amplifier. You need to get the bass out of your main speakers. The PSW 550 does not have a high pass filter in it's cross over. I believe your integrated has a preamp output and a direct amp input. You could use an outboard cross over in a loop using the preamp out/amp input. You would then disable the crossover in the subwoofer. The only other way to deal with this would be to put an appropriately sized capacitor in series with the woofers in your main speakers to roll them off at 6 dB/oct. 
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
I am not sure how to improve this situation. 
Easy: new speakers. Your bookshelf speakers are max'd out. 

Your amp has tone controls so what you might try short term is turn the bass down. Your little speakers can't handle it. Then turn the sub up to compensate. 

Its a crap solution but all there is without better speakers, since fundamentally your problem is nothing to do with the speakers its you. Play them within the range they are intended for, or buy ones designed to play within the range you want.
djones51
4,947 posts
 
I looked up your sub you need to wire like the manual says and set the crossover and volume on the sub.
ubee67 OP
5 posts
 
I tried what millercarbon suggested - reduce bass down from amp and increase bass up at Sub. It worked but I do not like the sound quality. Eventually I hooked up speakers through Sub speaker level out, aka high level out. It does not fix bottoming out issue but, instead I feel Sub and speakers timings are in sync and it appears to be recommended method for 2channel stereo setup.
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
ubee, It does not matter what speakers you have or get. In order to match up a subwoofer correctly the crossover has to have a high pass filter that rolls off the bass to the satellite speakers. Then you will not have a problem overloading them. This business of just putting the subwoofer on a low pass filter and doing nothing with the satellites is a cheap silly solution that as you have discovered does not work. You can get a stand alone cross over like the dbx DriveRack and fix the problem. Then down the line add a second sub and you will be in business. 
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