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Adding a subwoofer to a 2 channel amp

I have a Rotel RB-1050 amp, a Rotel RC-972 pre-amp, and a pair of Fostex 126e Zigmahornet speakers I built. The original speaker design used Fostex 103e drivers that reportedly resulted in poor bass response. The 126e's were suggested to fill out the bass. The resulting bass I have obtained I rate at about a 6-7 on a 10 point scale.
Would adding a subwoofer be a good idea and if so how would I do this given the Rotel amp is a two channel amp? Thanks for any suggestions I am a newbie.
greybear
rfj5106
13 posts
 
I would recommend the external crossover (such as Marchand or DbX) and then driving the subwoofer with a separate amp. I have done bi-amping with a second pre-amp out and no cross-over but when the cross-over was introduced there were significant improvements. Building your own subwoofer can result in both significant savings and sound improvement to your system. Many subwoofer amps have built in cross-overs. Check out Parts Express and/or Madisound for possible places to start. Good listening!
mhconway
1 posts
 
I use the RC-972 pre-amp with a Carver M1.0t Main amp.
The speakers are Maneplaners, MMGs, coupled with an HSU research powered sub. The sub has a built in adjustable crossover, phasing switch and volume control. The RC-972 pre-amp has two outputs. I just hook the main to one set and the sub to the other. The system is easy to calibrate and sounds excellant.
magfan
1,583 posts
 
I, too have Maggie/HSU setup. Absolutely seamless with very musical bass. My Listening room is about 4000ft3 and the VTF2mk3 fills the bill.
Not bad for flicks, either.
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