True, if you use an external analog xover you won't do ADA, but you are still adding more 'stuff' in the signal path. I like to keep things as simple as possible. But, a lot of people go this route. Vandersteen subs are famous for doing this. My assumption in all this is you have mains you truly enjoy and an amp to back it up. If you do I'm not sure you need to worry about 'taking a load off your mains'. I think if you just fill in where your main can't go then you are truly going to get a seamless experience.
Best Way to Integrate Subwoofers?
What’s the best way to integrate subwoofers with monitors, or speakers?
I’m not referring to placement, or room treatments. I’m referring to what’s the best way to integrate via a crossover, without a custom dedicated crossover.
Do you run two separate signals to the subs vs the speakers and supress the lower frequencies to the speakers, while supressing the upper frequencies to the subs? It would seem that this method might allow you to move the crossover to higher frequencies, relying more on the subs for the bass and lower mids - if that is beneficial. It would also seem that this method would permit you to taylor the slope of the crossover to minimize overlap of frequencies between the subs and the speakers, which might improve clarity - depending on the capability of the particular crossover used. And, I suppose it implies / requires a separate crossover to be used to run both signals through to route the mids and highs only to the speakers and the bass and lows only to the subs.
Or do you run the same signal to the subs and speakers and just emphasize the subs up to the bottom of the frequency range of the speakers, crossing over from the subs to the speakers at that point (crossover notch). It would seem that this method would require you to fix the crossover at the bottom of the frequency range of the speakers, wherever that may be, and would not require a separate crossover to be inserted into the signal path. And it would seem to imply that the slope of the crossover would be limited to the slope inherent in the subs and speakers, which would limit the flexibility of the crossover.
Or, does it make any difference?
I’m not referring to placement, or room treatments. I’m referring to what’s the best way to integrate via a crossover, without a custom dedicated crossover.
Do you run two separate signals to the subs vs the speakers and supress the lower frequencies to the speakers, while supressing the upper frequencies to the subs? It would seem that this method might allow you to move the crossover to higher frequencies, relying more on the subs for the bass and lower mids - if that is beneficial. It would also seem that this method would permit you to taylor the slope of the crossover to minimize overlap of frequencies between the subs and the speakers, which might improve clarity - depending on the capability of the particular crossover used. And, I suppose it implies / requires a separate crossover to be used to run both signals through to route the mids and highs only to the speakers and the bass and lows only to the subs.
Or do you run the same signal to the subs and speakers and just emphasize the subs up to the bottom of the frequency range of the speakers, crossing over from the subs to the speakers at that point (crossover notch). It would seem that this method would require you to fix the crossover at the bottom of the frequency range of the speakers, wherever that may be, and would not require a separate crossover to be inserted into the signal path. And it would seem to imply that the slope of the crossover would be limited to the slope inherent in the subs and speakers, which would limit the flexibility of the crossover.
Or, does it make any difference?
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- 50 posts total
I have a couple of REL T9/i subs using HLE input from my amp powering Apogee Duetta Signatures. The subs are wonderful and seamless. As someone else mentioned, REL has it down. Adding a grounding block to my subs just perfected the sound even further; tightened everything up and allowed me to hear the clear definition between sub frequencies. |
MEN220 from McIntosh would give you crossover capability and Lyngdorf room perfect. Or, MSB Sub Iso in front of the main amp (s) http://www.msbtechnology.com/accessories/sub-isolator-features/ |
The problem with the Mc MEN220 and DBx Drive rack and to my way of thinking a serious flaw is that they do not have digital inputs! So, you start with a digital source which goes to a DAC turned into analog then to one of these units, converted back into digital, processed then converted back into analog. You have two totally unnecessary conversions. Why just not give us a few digital inputs? A volume control would also be sort of nice then you would not need a preamp! |
- 50 posts total