Vandersteen 2WQ Subs and ARC Power amp

The bass from the 2Wq's should really be loud, boomy and obvious without the crossovers. In fact be very careful doing that because you can damage the subs internal amps if you turn up the volume too loud. I had bought a 2Wq new, and it works very well. I bought another 2Wq used, that looks almost like new, but when I powered it up in combination with the other new sub, it doesn't sound very good at all. I am going to send the amp in (taken out of the sub) to Vandersteen to be rebuilt. I also think the two adjustable pots on the back of the sub might also be damaged due to age.

First and formost,, make sure you get the right crossover values for the input impedance of your amp. Contact Richard Vandersteen for all your concerns. Cost for repair of plate amp starts at $225 plus shipping. Good luck.

Bob, I agree, not to run the subs without the crossovers. I was just explaining to the OP what the sound might be like without the crossovers hooked up. I have mine connected to my integrated amp"s processor's ins and outs. I one time forgot to engage the processor loop and the bass was boomy and bloated. In other words, that's the way it sounds without the crossovers. I did this quite by accident and would no way tell anyone to run the subs continuously without the crossovers.
Cheers,
Tim

Richard Vandersteen told me that operating the subs consistently without the crossovers will damage the internal amps in the subs. He very sternly warned me from doing this. Said, "Don't come to me with a warranty claim if you do this!"