Need help with Kinergetics Subs - Newbie

Hello just thought I would offer some info on my use of the same system. I have the kinergetic SW-100 subs in conjunction with the SW-800 platinum series monoaural subwoofer amplifiers. These Amps have a crossover that will allow the use of other speakers i.e spica TC-50's. These units have selectable crossover slopes and selectable crossover points. The Amperage is 300watts at 2 ohms, however the SW-100's are 4 ohm subs. These amps also have bass level adjustment. This system allows very good integration of the TC-50. The system is exremely holographic and detailed, bass is outstanding in combination with the spicas, HT is not for this system. I am also using the odyssey amp to drive the spicas, thus a very intense and satisfying sound CD and LP. The key is the crossover circuit design. The Subs sit in a stand specifically designed for them with integrated stands that are sand filled and the spicas sit on the stand for a very integrated look.

Familiar indeed. I still listen to my TC-50's, but gave up on the Kinergetics SW-100's sitting beneath them and now use a nice HSU sub with the Spica's. And call me crazy but I do use them for home theater. The system now doesn't sound sound as magical as I remember the Spica-Kinergetics system sounding in its heyday, but it's a way different system and room now, so who knows. But the Spica's are magic enough that the VR-1's are sitting in a box....

I have the same custom sand-filled stand with the SW-200 sitting below the TC-50's. They definitely blend like magic.

I'm very curious if a different amp would clean up the problem. The speakers handle some bassy stuff perfectly. Otherstuff they just fall apart. I can't tell what the difference is. Maybe some scenes are sending <20Hz which is causing the amp to fall apart?

John

Just a thought.. because your speakers/sub are from a previous "era", try connecting them like they were likely designed to be used: i.e. does the subwoofer amp have speaker-level inputs/outputs? If so, have you tried using them? If this sub/amp/crossover system was designed and sold pre-Dolby Digital/DTS, it may actually sound better if you feed the subwoofer amp a full-range speaker-level signal and let the Kinergetics amp/crossover do it's thing. I gather from other posts here that your system offers a high degree of adjustability in this regard to get a seamless blend between the Satellites (Spicas) and sub.

If you want to try this, you'll have to set your receiver's bass-management properly. Set it for front speakers "large" and subwoofer "no". Set your center channel and surrounds to "small" if you have them. Setup this way, all LFE will get routed to your subs via the front L-R speaker cables and your Spicas should be protected from low bass by the crossover in the Kinergetics amp.

Do not use the line-level output from your receiver's "subwoofer out". Run your front L-R speaker cables from your receiver to the Kinergetics' speaker-level input and then connect your Spicas to the subwoofer amps' speaker-level output. Of course, disregard this if the subwoofer amp lacks speaker-level connections, but I'd be suprised if it didn't as this system was apparently engineered for high-end two-channel music and most two channel pre-amps of that era would not likeley have included a line-level "sub-out" like a modern DD/DTS-era receiver/processor.

Let me know if your system sounds any better set up this way.

JZ

The Spica/Kinergetics were definitely made to run as "one speaker". The set-up you described would be the best for the speakers and I did have them set-up this way in my pre-HT days.

Unfortunately the Kinergetics amp does not have a speaker level out. It just has a built-in crossover which you can feed back to your receivers pre-amp in (which my receiver doesn't have) or another amp (which I also don't have).

Interesting that it seems like most HT receivers don't have a pre-amp in. It would be very beneficial for my system.

Also, even if I could set up my system differently, I think I would still have the sub breakdown problem once I reach a certain volume level. The problem is not blending the speakers, it is something to do with the amp (if not the speakers themselves).

I'm curious to see if a different full-range amp would run the Kinergetics better? Not sure what is the best way to demo one. I hate to spend a ton of money on something that may not even fix the prob. And I don't know the first thing about shopping for an amp.

Any suggestions besides the ATI 1502? The ATI is $650 and power rated the same (150x2). I probably don't need more power... just better power if rpw's ideas are correct. Maybe someone can help me locate a good online used amp?

Thanks for everyone's input again!

John