I'm confused.
My Primaluna HP has a sub out RCA tap that I run to a B&W sub.
Would I be better off using a Subwoofer Crossover?
My Primaluna HP has a sub out RCA tap that I run to a B&W sub.
Would I be better off using a Subwoofer Crossover?
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?
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?
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- 50 posts total
One of the main reasons I like high level inputs and letting the sub do it's own low frequency filtering is that you keep the signal as pure as possible for the mains. I think this is especially important if you listen to an analog source...you definitely don't want something in your chain doing an ADA conversion if you've gone to all the trouble of investing in a high end turntable/phono preamp. I think if you can't do high level inputs to the subs (speaker wire from your amp) since a lot of subs don't offer this feature, the next best would be using an rca out from the preamp to the sub while still running the mains full range. Set up the sub to only fill in the low end the mains can't do. This will take some time to get right... although a lot of people will go the dsp route to handle splitting the signal, this will definitely be be easier to get right, but can't look past the ADA conversion... that bugs me. |
Thanks newtoncr for your post. I could never understand why audiophiles are so against crossovers. Your link to http://www.soundoctor.com/whitepapers/subs.htm is greatly appreciated. I found it very informative and reaffirming. |
If you only run 1 sub 80hz is the magic number for not being able to detect the sub source position. If you have a stereo pair you can run it up to 200 or even 400hz with some designs, will depend on design and quality of the subs. If you were running 4 subs I think you are better off running 2 corner stacks if they all match. 4 unmatched ones in a line would be quite a challenge for a DSP processor I would think and you would want to be 80hz or less. I'm running a rel stentor III at 80hz 2nd order LW roll off on a Lyngdorf TDAI3400 via RCA. Really easy to integrate with that amp. I don't have the room layout for a stereo pair it's our lounge and it serves music and TV in 2.1 well enough for me. I used to run a stadium ii via high level using the rel crossover at about 50hz and got a very decent integration with some time fiddling. |
bstatmeister I'm a little confused with part of your recommendation..... "Set up the sub to only fill in the low end the mains can't do" And "using an rca out from the preamp to the sub while still running the mains full range" If someone used an active crossover to remove frequencies below the capability of the mains, would that offset the disadvantage of adding an ADA into the signal path? Wouldn't the mains perform more efficiently? I guess it depends on the speakers and the rest of the system. I ask that because it appears that you are fairly knowledgeable about audio systems. |
- 50 posts total