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Best Way to Integrate Subwoofers?

What’s the best way to integrate subwoofers with monitors, or speakers?

I’m not referring to placement, or room treatments. I’m referring to what’s the best way to integrate via a crossover, without a custom dedicated crossover.

Do you run two separate signals to the subs vs the speakers and supress the lower frequencies to the speakers, while supressing the upper frequencies to the subs? It would seem that this method might allow you to move the crossover to higher frequencies, relying more on the subs for the bass and lower mids - if that is beneficial. It would also seem that this method would permit you to taylor the slope of the crossover to minimize overlap of frequencies between the subs and the speakers, which might improve clarity - depending on the capability of the particular crossover used. And, I suppose it implies / requires a separate crossover to be used to run both signals through to route the mids and highs only to the speakers and the bass and lows only to the subs.

Or do you run the same signal to the subs and speakers and just emphasize the subs up to the bottom of the frequency range of the speakers, crossing over from the subs to the speakers at that point (crossover notch). It would seem that this method would require you to fix the crossover at the bottom of the frequency range of the speakers, wherever that may be, and would not require a separate crossover to be inserted into the signal path. And it would seem to imply that the slope of the crossover would be limited to the slope inherent in the subs and speakers, which would limit the flexibility of the crossover.

Or, does it make any difference?
bassdude
james63
534 posts
 
Bassdude,

the crossover goes before the all the amps including the ones in the subs. 

So preamp to corossover to speaker/sub amp. Generally you only adjust once slope and volume of the sub.  

So if you have an external crossover you will to disable the subs low pass if possible.

Good crossovers are are very expensive and a nitch item. If you are just playing with subs for the first time I would look for a sub with a built in crossover (very different from a low pass). I use my built in crossovers and I really can not hear any signal degradation with it in the system. I am sure there is some. But the advantages of the subs far out weight the neatives once set up right. 

Most important is the subs volume. Phase is really hard to hear honesty in the sub range but sound pressure will stand right out. I would get a dB meter and measure the sound at the listiening position using a est CD. 

Jl audio has a document on setting uo phase. It works pretty well, it is online somewhere. 

It will I’ll let you tune the bass to the room which has a profound improvement on the sound. I could never have a system without subs again. Otherwise you need a full range speaker ($$$) and a perfect room and who really has a prefect room? 1% of us, less?

The down side of subs for me is all the extra wires everywhere because I have a 6’ set of leads to and from my subs...


erik_squires
16,122 posts
 
Easiest:

Run full range to mains. Run line level to sub EQ, use sub EQ to integrate.

Cons: You don’t get increased output from your main amp. No extra dynamic range. Sometimes a compromise is to plug ported mains.

Highest dynamic range, most altering of main signal:

Use a crossover after your preamp, before your main speakers.

Cons: Adds more processing steps in series with your fancy DAC/pre and amp.
Pick one.
erik_squires
16,122 posts
 
TBC:

Sub speaker level in/outs do not include a high pass filter.


bassdude OP
496 posts
 
“bstatmeister” 

So - if the subs have their own amplifier, then both the main amp and the sub amp are driving the subs, and you adjust the subs volume down to mate with the volume of the mains, and then the preamp volume control adjusts both volume levels in synch?

And, ideally then, the subs just present the frequencies below the frequencies inherently presented by the mains - except for a bit of overlap at the bottom frequencies of the mains - which I suppose can introduce some lack of clarity, if the subs can not match the speed, etc. of the mains?

And, I suppose, that does not relieve the mains of presenting some of the lower frequencies to improve clarity of the mains?

Just wondering... because... that seems to be the easiest method, but I’ve read that relieving the mains of some of the lower frequencies, and allowing the subs to extend up a bit, may add clarity, soundstage, and other benefits - which I assume can’t be done without a crossover that can adjust both to avoid overlap.
bassdude OP
496 posts
 
“erik_squires”

I guess the method you describe allows for only the sub amp to present the signal for lower frequencies, and allows the use of an external crossover to elevate the frequencies of the mains, if desired. 
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