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Line level or speaker level, scientific reasons? ?

Hi everyone, I've been hearing a lot on the forum that it is better to connect through line level from pre-amp to the sub. Now my connection right is using the speaker level connection and I think it sounds great. I am using bookshelf speakers and by using speaker level inputs I am able to remove the lower frequencies from the mains!

Wouldn't this be a huge benefit than running the full frequencies to the speaker? It frees up the amp to provide more clean power!

now what is better and why?!!
mrhdream
randalle
1 posts
 
My less than 2 cents is, I've read several comments and reviews that say using the high level input from the amp makes for a more coherent sound. In other words, the sub amp borrows the characteristics of the main amp. Using a separate pre-out line to the sub is said to create bass that can be musically disjointed from the main speakers.

The input impedance on the REL’s(and other quality self-powered subs) is supposedly such that the additional high-level connections to the sub do not affect the main amp.
elevick
2,638 posts
 
Using speaker level to the sub then to the mains is an extra drain on the amp and the filters may keep things from blending well.

I like using line level better. This allows me to use all 17 watts to my mains and a good quality sub/sub amp combo. I honestly use a Janus Interphase 1/A sub amp/crossover. This allows for virtually transparent crossover at 100hz, loads of power to the sub(pair of nelson reeds) and never interferes with the amp or pre except for being in between them.
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
Just an FYI...what Elevick describes is NOT how a REL is setup or how it works. It is parallel to the main speakers and is self powered. It takes nothing from the amp, but the signal; just like the sub getting the signal from a second pre-out.
foreverhifi
229 posts
 
Yeah my experience with Rel's is that they do seem to work best in parallel from the speaker level connections off the amp(speakers, whatever). Hey, if it works, don't mess with it, ey?!!
elevick
2,638 posts
 
Running in parellel is the cleanest way but not always the sonically best. My beef is that running in parellel will not always blend well. You can set the sub volume at a certain level and have it match great but once you change pre-amp volumes, many times your blend won't work as well simply due to efficiency differences and a difference in amps between the sub and main amp. Yes, you can have a remote volume for the REL but who wants to keep messing with sub volume?
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