Mostly listen to Music, which connection is better?

kitsap2

I'm new to this forum, and this is my first post. Sorry if it's been answered elsewhere, but I couldn't find what I was looking for.

I have an older AV Receiver, which does have a, "sub-woofer out", which I've used in our HT setup. But, and here's the question I'm seeking an answer to: Musically, since music, and not movies, is what I mainly listen to, would it be better to connect the subwoofer to the receiver's speaker level outs, and the front L/R speakers to the sub-woofers speaker level L/R outs?

My older AV Receiver does not have the ability to select a low pass crossover frequency, only whether the front speakers are large, or small. And since I will be receiving the, Polk DSW PRO 400wi, next week, I'm curious as to the limitations of being able to set the correct cross-over to the L/R fronts, which are smaller satellite speakers. I understand that the 400wi manual says that the cross-over knob is useless if I connect it to the receiver's sub-woofer/LFE out.

Any ideas will be greatly appreciated!


Tom

John K.

Tom, welcome to Club Polk. Since you haven't specifically identified your "older" receiver or your "smaller" speakers we have to make some assumptions in trying to help you get set up. The first point is that your question seems to indicate that you're under the impression that if you connect your speakers through the sub's(you may have meant 440wi)speaker level outputs that this would allow the frequency control on the back of the sub to limit the frequencies to the speakers. If so, this is incorrect; subs don't have internal crossovers, this is only a low-pass filter(correctly labeled as such by Polk, not a "crossover")which affects only the sub, not connected speakers, which are given a straight-through frequency feed, just as if they're connected directly to the receiver terminals.

Older receivers which had just one fixed setting for all speakers set "small" typically used a frequency in the 80-100Hz range for the crossover between the "small" speakers and the sub. If your speakers have good response down into this range then there's no problem with using the sub out on the receiver to feed the "LFE" type input on the sub. The low pass filter on the sub will be "useless" as you put it, which is what is wanted, since the receiver is already doing the crossover, and the sub control would possibly interfere with it.

On the other hand, if your speakers have more limited bass response(say 150Hz), then crossing them and the sub over around 90Hz would create a weakness in the 100-150Hz range. In that case, the procedure would be to use speaker wire to the sub from the receiver main terminals, following the instructions in the manual for that type of connection(Option #2). The low-pass filter control on the sub would be set up around 150Hz in an attempt to blend its response with the 150Hz capability of the speakers. The main speakers could be wired either through the sub or directly to the receiver; it makes no difference. If this type of connection was necessary it would be less desirable, since among other reasons, the main speakers would be forced to run full-range("large"), with no crossover in effect as to them.

kitsap2

Ahhh, now that helps explain things. Thanks John, I got a little confused on, "crossover", and, "low pass".

I'm pretty sure I now know what to do regarding the setup of the subwoofer, when it arrives, this week. My "older" receiver is the, Denon AVR-2801, and the speakers are, Definitive Technology ProMonitor 800's. I'm really looking forward to receiving the 440wi, Tuesday.

Connect via "Wired" Option 1, in 440wi Owner's Manual, and I'll be good to go. I'll just have to "forget" all about that low pass knob on the back of the sub.

Thanks,
Tom

Kex

From the product page, the recommended crossover for those speakers is 100Hz.

http://www.definitivetech.com/Products/products.aspx?path=Speakers_By_Series|ProCinema_Series&productid=ProMonitor_800

The method of connecting the speakers through the subwoofer used to be described as the Polk method, but was never liked for Home Theater use where you really want maximum effect from your subwoofer. I've never tried it, but I've often wondered if it was better suited to music listening, or why it was the recommended Polk method for so long.

kitsap2

Interesting thought, Kex. I read the setup instructions for the ProMonitor 800's, and their first recommendation is connecting via 2 Channel Stereo. Speaker L/R from receiver to sub (albeit, their ProSub), ProMonitor 800's connected to the sub's L/R speaker channels. However, the instructions are in reference to owning and using their Prosub, which has a built-in high pass crossover for the 800 satellites. I wonder if the DSW PRO 400wi has built-in high pass crossovers?


Tom