Does speaker-level input to sub by pass its electronics?


I'd like to use a Velodyne HGS-15 with an Ayre A7e integrate amp that has no provision for a sub, but would that by pass the high-gain servo and other electronics of the sub?
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Showing 4 responses by dbphd

I've used HGS-15s & 10s for years, but not with high-level input.  It's the high-gain servo function I want to preserve.  I'm not familiar with how high-level input functions.  A local is selling an HGS-15 that I might use with the Ayre A7e to supplement KEF LS50s.  I assume I just add a second pair of speaker leads.  The other possibility is a REL T/5i or T/7i.

My primary setup has a pair of HGS-15s that supplement KEF Reference 1s, and use a pair of SMS-1s for acoustic room correction.  I also have a pair of HGS-10s that I hope to try in a distributed bass setup.

db
Duke, thanks for the explanation.  It gives me much more understanding of high-level input to a sub, and confidence in using it.

Erik, I have no interest in bypassing the amp or HGS function.  To the contrary, I was concerned that speaker-level input might treat the subs as ordinary 15" speakers, but the high input impedance of subs is always stressed as the reason it doesn't stress the amp.

I'll ask Ayre if they see a problem with high-level input from the A7e to a sub, but now I doubt they will.

db
Bob, I'm embarrassed to admit I didn't see the post was a quote and when I checked out the link I discovered the extensive coverage of using an A7e with high-level inputs.  Also I was sorry to learn that Al is no longer with us.  I have valued his advice in the past.

db
Al, I think you warned me about that once before but I forgot. Given I mostly listen to jazz and baroque in the living room, and the unaided LS50s do a nice job of the bass, I’ll satisfy my lust for pipe organ music and Mahler in the media room where the Reference 1s are supplemented by a pair of HGS-15s with SMS-1 acoustic room correction  -- I don't notice the subs until a pedal note or explosion draws my attention.

Again, thanks.
db