Do you think you need a subwoofer?

Hey - Goatwuss - The best way with stereo subs is an extra set of outputs on the preamp via RCA - usually I set the volume on the sub to a certain level (using it as gain) then the preamp can be used as a master volume control. And then ditto Raul's set-up instructions.

Dear Goatwuss: From your preamp: left output to your left side sub and right output to your right side sub .

About your REL question: my english is really bad and I can't understand what you mean.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.

Dear Biomimetic: About your superteeters question: no, it is not tiring. I think that, like the subwoofers, in many audio systems the integration of STs is a must to have too.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.

I just acquired Cain & Cain IM-Ben fullrange speakers with a pair of matching C&C Bailey subwoofers. The Ben's are still burning in 10 hours a day, out of phase, facing each other.

But, I have been trying to figure out the best way to integrate them. The Bens are 40Hz-31kHz and run without any x-over except to attenuate/high pass the tweeter output. The 6" Fostex FE-168 Sigma fullrange driver rolls off naturally at the low end.

Terry Cain suggests starting with the subwoofers crossed in at 80Hz. As Raul has pointed out, this means that they will probably still produce some sound up to 100Hz. Which got me thinking, this is into the range of stereo reproduction, so my current Paradigm X-30 sub x-over may not be the best tool.

The X-30(like most sub XO's) takes L/R channel input and sums the channels into a mono signal for the subwoofers. This is ok for music below 60Hz(maybe even 80), but above that I don't know. Perhaps it is best to run true L/R stereo signals to the subs instead of summed mono. Though, i don't know how this affects room interactions. Mono LF signals supposedly help cancel some room nodes.

The X-30 also only accepts line-level inputs, while the X-20 uses amp/speaker level inputs. I remember reading somewhere that speaker level inputs are actually better because the subs see the exact signal the mains are from their amplifier.

Regardless, in my case, line level RCA inputs won't work because I run 40 ft. balanced cables from my preamp (S&B TVC) to my 300B SET monoblock amps which have Jensen XLR->SE input transformers. I'd have to buy 4 new line transformers to do this with the X-30. At that cost, it would be easier to simply buy two X-20 speaker levels x-overs.

Any thoughts on this guys? Is stereo subs best in my situation?

The obvious downside of running true stereo subs is cost. I have not been able to find any affordable crossovers that do true stereo output.

Dear Darkmoebius: +++++ " Perhaps it is best to run true L/R stereo signals to the subs instead of summed mono. " +++++.

Absolutely. If you have two subs it is a must to run in stereo way.

Bryston and Pass have very good X-over that can meet your targets.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.