Two Subs

AllTheTimer

I have two PSW303's hooked up in a two-channel system. I have the right line-out from cd player hooked up to the sub on the right, and the left line-out to the one on the left. Would it be better to connect both the left and right signals to each sub using y-adapters, or am I not really missing much with the way I have it hooked up now? Thanks.

PolkWannabie

You should get about 3 dB more per sub with two connections.

But why are you wiring them from the CD player as opposed to from the preamp or receiver ?

Pauly

Originally posted by PolkWannabie
You should get about 3 dB more per sub with two connections.

isnt that if you stack them?

gatemplin

The voltage signal the sub sees is apparently 3 dB higher with a Y splitter. That means you could turn the sub out level on the receiver down 3 dB. But the maximum output from the sub does not change.

AllTheTimer

Thanks for the replies. I think I'll buy a couple of Y cables and see how it works out.

Also, I'm wiring them from the cd player because I get hum any other way--with the sub-out from my receiver or with the speaker connects (my receiver doesn't have audio outs). The only problem with hooking them up from the cd player is that I have to manually control the volume on each sub--not so much of a pain, though, in return for a pure signal.

Airplay355

stacking is +6db, with y splitters thats +3db....so that makes +12 db is u use 2 y splitters

PolkWannabie

Uhhh no ... stacking MAY affect room gain but not sub output. Y cables will add 3 dB per sub or 6 dB total.

Airplay355

i thought doc said that stacking gives u +6db as opposed to having the subs in 2 different places in the room

gatemplin

Adding another sub and stacking them will get you +6dB over the whole response, adding another sub somewhere else in the room will get you increased output of 6dB, but maybe at different frequencies.

Adding a y splitter will get you +3 dB of "signal" gain, which amounts to exactly zero extra Watts. You can also get the same 3dB by turning up the level in the receiver, or on the sub amp. To actually get + 3dBs of maximum output you need to double the Wattage.

PolkWannabie

Say what ? The +3dB you get in signal gain from a Y cable should allow you to set the volume control down by the same amount but get the same output i.e it's the equivalent of having twice the watts.

gatemplin

Right, except of course maximum output, and power available hasn't changed at all. The sub amp is working just as hard either way. The advantage is less pre out distortion from the receiver.

PolkWannabie

I would agree that because one could turn the volume down by 3 dB to obtain the same output that there is that much less liklihood of distortion because of the increased headroom.

However this also means that if you have + 3dB at the same volume setting then you have + 3 dB when it's turned all the way up i.e. the maximum output has been increased.

Willow

how about trying one out of phase ??

gatemplin

PW,
I was talking about maximum amplifier output, as in say 200W into 4 Ohms, of course that doesn't change just because of a y splitter.

wlrandall

Originally posted by Willow
how about trying one out of phase ??

Did that. Best example of noise cancellation technology I've seen. You could see the cones pumping away and not a sound came from them.

Willow

good to know thanks !! I guess that may be if you have one in one corner say the front and another in the rear ??!!