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Vandersteen Subs 2W, 2Wq, etc. as LFE

Okay, I think that the only Vandersteen sub that is made to take an LFE signal is the V2W. The others are made to meld into working with a standard pair speakers rather than use the LFE output. My question: is there any way for these other Vandy subs to be used for LFE purposes?

I ask for a few reasons. First and foremost, the 2W is generally the cheapest and most common used Vandersteen sub. I've got a Maggie 7-channel system, so it should meld well. However, I don't want the sub to just work as the low end for one pair of speakers. I'd like to either use this as the LFE sub or as a "speaker sub" for all the speakers by having the Lexicon sum the low-end of all seven Maggies and sending it to the Vandersteen. In either event, it would require sending a direct signal from the preamp, not the amp. But is there any way to do this with these Vandersteen subs?

Thanks,
Aaron
aewhistory
rrog
1,958 posts
 
The Vandersteen 2W and 2Wq are designed to be used with separate preamp and power amp. A resistor is inserted at the inputs of the power amp to cut off low frequencies to the main speakers and relieving the amp from trying to produce those low frequencies. The subwoofer is then fed a sample signal from the outputs of the amp via speaker wire to the sub. To my knowledge this is the only method of using the Vandersteen 2W and 2Wq.

The 2W is the oldest version of the Vandersteen subwoofers and shows up used more often and the condition varies. The 2Wq is the later version with even more flexability. This is the reason for the difference in price that you have noticed.
aewhistory OP
70 posts
 
Damn! Thanks Rrog, I appreciate the information. I was afraid that this was the answer--almost sure actually--but I wanted to ask to be sure.
bondmanp
1,820 posts
 
Aewhistory: You can use a 2W or 2Wq for LFE in addition to using it as a sub for the satelite speakers. The 2Wq adds an adjustable Q control, which may come in handy if you want big, booming, home theater-style bass instead of the tight, controlled and accurate bass the Vandy subs are known for. If you have one of these subs, tell your processor that the mains are large, the other speakers are small, and that there is NO subwoofer. This will send the bass from all channels and the LFE to the front two channels, where the Vandy crossover/resistor scheme will send all the bass to the 2W or 2Wq.

That said, the V2W was designed specifically to use the RCA subwoofer output of a pre-pro.

IMHO, these are all excellent subwoofers. I have been using a pair of 2Wqs to augment my front mains for several years, and i really love 'em. I use an old Def Tech sub for LFE and bass redirection from the center and surround channels. I guess it depends on how much you care about surround sound quality vs. 2-channel sound quality. Obviously, I care much more about 2-channel sound quality than surround sound quality. YMMV.
aewhistory OP
70 posts
 
Hi Bonmanp,
Thank you! This is such a simply idea I wish I'd thought of it myself. I was so wrapped around the idea of using the pre/pro at the center that I hadn't really thought outside of the box (in this case that saying rather applies literally, doesn't it?). I think the Lex doesn't use Large/Small settings, it uses X Hz crossover pts, but I don't see why this wouldn't work the same way, would it? It would simply allow for a greater level of control and refinement?

Actually Bonmanp, you've just given me an idea for how I could literally spend thousands of dollars!!! My wife is gonna kill me.... and she might hunt you down too! :-) Just kidding.....

-Aaron
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