LFE vs High-level subwoofer connection, for FIDELITY

@macg19 thank you for the tips and pointers.  As for my setup, I only use a single pattern for my system.  It is set at 7.2.2.  I have all my speakers set to small, and there is a setup that says to always use the subs and that the sub layout is "mono x 2".  I do recall seeing something that said that when set this way and while it uses the LFE outs for the bass, it is really not processing or dealing with it as it would a movie LFE.  At any rate, I have been happy with the setup and as stated I am probably 90% music listening anyway on my system.  I use "straight" for most everything, including the turntable, WiiM Pro input or reel player.  

@bartsw thank you also for these sprectrum analysis.  I will have to figure out some software to allow to me track this on my system, since I do have a computer in the room where the system lives.  I spent a bit of time after we chatted playing some of my more bass heavy favorites and again came away quite happy with the sound.  I will do more testing tomorrow.

@larryincmh You're welcome.

So the quick and easy settings to play with in your current set up is crossover at the mains, using only mains vs. mains+surround speakers, and (I think) L/R vs. mono subs. So if you found that different settings sounded best for music vs. movies, you could use Patterns to quickly switch between them.

Enjoy!

Nice to have @deep_333 here keeping it real.

High level is fine if you have no intention of digitally altering the signal (room correction, EQ, delay, phase adjustment) on a separate device. Lots of subs have fancy DSPs you can make your adjustments there.

Running multiple subs to reduce room mode anomalies has been the best experience for me, but it requires a central processor to integrate properly. (eg. MiniDSP, AV processor) I have 4 small 8" subs in a 'swarm' array and an additional 2 acting as active bass absorbers controlled through a MiniDSP Flex8. It's the best bass down to 25Hz I've ever heard.

REL supports stacking subwoofers because it's the only way their dogmatic customers will buy more than 2 subs lol. You don't need additional processing when daisy chaining subs. Everyone else using more than 2 subs should look into outboard DSP solutions

Wow, why is it that subs are the most misunderstood aspect of achieving good sound. Subs? Can't do without them! As for "if the speakers bass goes down to 50 Hz then set the subs XO to 50 Hz" No, just no. You can not without measurement know what the speaker/room interface looks like, so if your 50Hz is exciting a room mode right at your listening position your subs 50Hz will be adding more. Expect a large unwanted peak. Conversely, you could be sitting in a null and will need help from the sub.

Forget all that, including the mindless sub crawl looking for the strongest bass. OK so you find it but what about the null that might be sitting close by, how would you know? It,s a null right? A null has no sound, it's a cancellation of bass frequencies meeting out of phase and if by some magic you could locate the null what are you going to do about it?

As I mentioned, do not worry about all this just get a mic. and REW and adjust the subs for t5he flattest and smoothest response. That's it. And please use line level guys. Why would you want to hear the, generally speaking, higher distortion of the power amp and if it's tube we all know that the output transformer saturates easily at the lowest frequencies. Now why would you wanna hear that? Some here like to just splab whatever goes without thinking it through.

Some tips from vast experience: Choose sealed box subs and they must have variable phase. I no longer set up systems if the subs only have 0-180 phase flip like the dinosaur REL. With only a polarity switch for phase you will chase the subs all around the room. With variable phase you can place the subs just where you would like them except symmetrically.  I say again: use the clean line level signal to drive the subs. 

@thehybridvigor 

High level is fine if you have no intention of digitally altering the signal (room correction, EQ, delay, phase adjustment) on a separate device.

Sorry I don’t understand; why can’t you digitally alter the signal with room correction using high level?

@gournard 

And please use line level guys. Why would you want to hear the, generally speaking, higher distortion of the power amp and if it's tube we all know that the output transformer saturates easily at the lowest frequencies. 

The additional noise and distortion is a non-audible issue except with tubes. People argue, why buy tube gear in the first place? Yet, they do because they value the pros over the cons. I'd push back and ask why would you want to listen to bass in mono? Mono is so obsolete.