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Sub-woofer connection question

Hi all,

I have a Music-Hall a15.3 integrated amp and a JL Audio 8" "Dominion" powered sub-woofer.

The sub-woofer has speaker-level inputs (R & L, + & -) but also has line-level RCA inputs.

The amp has an RCA out as well as (of course) speaker-level out.

So I can connect the RCA out of the amp into the RCA in of the sub-woofer, but I can also piggy-back off the amp’s speaker connections to the sub-woofer’s speaker-level inputs.

I am not sure which method is better. I called Music-Hall and the guy (maybe it was Roy Hall but I am not sure) told me "I don’t like sub-woofers... just do what ever the sub-woofer manufacturer says".

But the JL Audio manual does not specify one method over the other.

I am new to sub-woofers, so I was hoping maybe somebody on the forum might be able to help.

Thanks in advance,

Eric Zwicky
Richmond VA


ezwicky

Showing 4 responses by ezwicky

ezwicky OP
26 posts
 
That's what I was wondering about, and why I tried the speaker-wire connection first.  I was hoping that if I used the sub in parallel with the satellites, that the highs and mids would go one way and the lows would go the other way (to the sub).

I guess that shows my ignorance of how these things work...

I connected it this morning back to the RCA R&L method and I guess I will keep it that way out of simplicity.

Thanks for the replies,

Eric


ezwicky OP
26 posts
 
almarg wrote:

But the JL Audio manual does not specify one method over the other. 
Actually, it does. On page 16 of the manual it states as follows:
Speaker Level Inputs: This feature is included for convenience when needing to connect the Dominion™ to a receiver or integrated amplifier that only offers speaker level outputs. The use of this feature is only recommended when no suitable line-level signal is available.

Dang, I missed that, thanks.    So I will continue to use the RCA pre-out from my amp to the RCA in on the subs.    Thanks!
ezwicky OP
26 posts
 
Well, I did a bunch of A-B listening, and decided the sub-woofer was not adding enough to the sound to make it worth the cost, and the prospective cost and effort of running a cable under the floor from my amp to the sub, so I returned it for store credit!     I am happy with just the sound of my speakers, but I thank you all for replying to my original post!

Eric
ezwicky OP
26 posts
 
Thanks mr_m,   my integrated amp doesn't have a tape loop, but I understand the function of the crossover.   I was looking at some external crossovers, like the one that B&W sell, and at $3k it would be more than I have in all the rest of my components put together.

So at some point, if I ever move up to separate components and better speakers, I will probably go that route.

But for now I am pretty happy with what I have, and am enjoying playing my (newly cleaned) LPs again after a couple decades.

Thanks again for taking the time to write such a long and detailed and helpful reply.

Eric
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