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Subwoofer insight.

This is new territory to me. Current speakers are 2 way with frequency response of 60Hz-20KHz with +/- 2dB.  Sensitivity rated as 86dB. Chance to purchase a pair of REL 7 tis. I feel like I am missing something but will have to buy the subs to try out. My basic question is this. Does this purchase sound wise? I know what I am willing to spend but do you think I will notice an appreciable improvement.  I know that no one can listen through my ears but this is my first time doing this. Source is 75 watt integrated tube amp, McIntosh MA-2275. Thoughts appreciated. I am leaning towards going forward with the deal but would appreciate some feedback. Room is large and open, 28X38 feet with 9 foot ceilings. Thanks for any feedback.
ricmci
ieales's avatar
ieales
1,201 posts
 
The $50 price comes from markup.

My company installed thousands of Neutric XLRs in the 80's & 90's in pro studios. IMO, Switchcraft is a more rugged connector. SS vs pot metal, but a royal PITA to assemble. SC will with stand a road case rolling over it. Neutrik not so much.

All the stage monitors where I produce our shows use SpeakOns. They are a great connector.


bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,800 posts
 
For home use, where constant plugging/unplugging is uncommon, the Speakon plug & jack just add another interruption/solder joint/connection to the signal path. Probably no harm for subwoofer use, but I wouldn’t use them with main speakers.
m-db's avatar
m-db
972 posts
 
I'm in agreement with the recent posts describing the physical robustness of Neutrik SpeakOn connectors and would add their ease of DIY termination. As a now stunningly unemployed Bass player I have yet to experience a problem with my amplifications SpeakOn connections while still enduring the bane of phone plugs and my lesser peeve, the female IEE power cable termination.

My short experience with using an amplifiers high level output used to source signal to a subwoofer, the audible shortcoming clearly seemed the inclusion of a third input/output between the source and the speaker system and /or the proprietary wire, not the SpeakOn. Wouldn't these various component combinations create a substantial potential of impedance issues?  
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,800 posts
 

@m-db,: no, because the input impedance of the high level input on subs allowing that are at an extremely high impedance---the sub is receiving the output signal of the power amp, but none of it's power. Amazing, ay?

HOWEVER, whatever distortion the amp is producing is part of the signal the sub receives. Some listeners don't mind that (in fact, like it), finding the sub(s) to then share the tonality of the power amp with the main speakers. Rythmik's Brian Ding disagrees (though his non-XLR models provide both low level and high level inputs), feeling the low level inputs (non-speaker binding posts) to be cleaner. The beauty of the Rythmiks is that the listener can try both, and use the one he prefers.

ieales's avatar
ieales
1,201 posts
 
I’ll reiterate again: Taking a high level output from a Tube Amp is a bad idea.

The speaker impedance controls the LEVEL INPUT TO THE SUB.
See http://www.ielogical.com/assets/Audio/TubeAmpSpkrV.png

The input to the sub is ≈7.7db lower at 20Hz than 60Hz. Blecchh !!

SS amps will exhibit considerably less change, but are NOT immune to LS impedance.

Current which drives the LS is not in phase with the voltage which drives the sub. The sub introduces its own phase errors which is why ALL subs need Continuous Phase and Polarity controls. Without them, unless the sub was engineered for the system, it’s a crap shoot. Mostly crap!

ROLL THE LOW END FROM THE MAINS AND USE THE LOW LEVEL INPUT !!!
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