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December 30, 2007 - 8:56pm
#1
Wondering about 2 channel and how many use a powered subwoofer
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This is more a matter of personal taste. In my Den, which is my music listening room I have a small M&K sub. However, my Infinity Kappa 400's really do not need it and I use it more for when I watch the occasional movie in the den. For music, about the only effect is to make the bass somewhat louder.
2. I don't believe listening to your LPs will change the need for a sub one way or another as opposed to listening to digital sources. None that I have ever noticed in any event.
3. Just set the sub crossover up or down according to what sounds best for you on an individual recording. Match the gain to your speakers as well.
4.Since my pre-amp does not have a sub-out I had to wire the sub to my power amp speaker terminals. This has the effect of doubing the bass but I just set the crossover low to keep the sub from interfering with music. For movies, I turn it up. If you have a HT receiver than the LFE will be handled by the receiver sub-out. Most people set the speakers to small or 80-100.
Have fun.
1) My subwoofers are constantly power up, so they play when needed.
2) Not specifically. If the disc contains low bass, then the subwoofers respond.
3) Apparently for you it is. I set the levels where they sounded best and leave them alone.
4) Cables are run from the parallel outputs of the pre amplifier or, in the HT system, from the LFE outputs.
1. Yes I have a subwoofer in the system and so it is on whenever I play music. I like the positive difference it makes.
2. Helps vinyl as much as any other format.
3. Since recordings are different, I use the volume control on the subwoofer to adjust it as needed. You can turn your s/w on or off as you prefer, sounds like you have found a way that works for you.
4. My preamp has two sets of outputs, so one set goes to the power amp, and the other goes to the line level input of the powered subwoofer. Perfect.
I think that if you don't have 2 sets of line level outputs from a preamp (or integrated amp), I think you could make it so by using Y-connectors from your single set of line level outputs. But others may want to advise on this, I don't know if there are any impedance or other technical issues to address in that case.
This is fine. Typically a preamp output has plenty of current to drive two inputs.
The reverse is not OK however; two outputs should not be combined to drive a single input.
OTOH, it is New Years and if you're lacking sufficient fireworks, this will do in a pinch.