"Favorite Hookup Method" ...really?

par-man

Looking through the setup manual for my new speakers, it appears as if Polk does NOT want us to use the sub-out from the receiver. The "preferred" method is speaker wire vs. line level.

Is this correct?
Forgive my ignorance - just want to make sure.
Does this not remove the need for many of the features on the receiver??

BTW, I plan on purchasing one of these receivers (unless someone changes my mind with a better alternative):
Yamaha HTR-5590
Yamaha HTR-5760
Kenwood VR-7007

Thanks all,
MC

P.S. Equipment is RM7600 w/PSW12 Monitor sub

scottvamp

It would appear that is the way Polk recommends thier 5.1 home theater speaker in a box packages. (HTiaB)
I have been into HT sence the beginning of Dolby Digital and I ALWAYS use the LFE out. That is the perrered method by most in the Polk Club.......

par-man

Thanks for the input.
Just to clarify - are you saying to use the subout (LFE) from the receiver, thus letting the receiver manage the filtering?

In other words, the only cable going to the sub will be the sub-out cable - no speaker wires going to the sub?

Does the fidelity of the system really suffer if we do NOT use their method of running the speaker wires through the sub?

BTW... purchased the HTR-5760 Yamaha receiver

EDIT: Was just thinking - can anyone point me to a diagram of an optimal hookup schematic? I'm a visual learner so it may help clear the fog for me.

scottvamp

Yes, only sub cable LFE out to sub only.
You may want to try it both ways with the RM series.
It still comes down to proper calibration either way!!!!

TheReaper

Originally posted by par-man
...EDIT: Was just thinking - can anyone point me to a diagram of an optimal hookup schematic? I'm a visual learner so it may help clear the fog for me.

Hehehe, I can't resist, there are diagrams for different options on page 5:

http://www.polkaudio.com/downloads/manuals/home/PSW_Manual.pdf

Either of the two Option 1 diagrams on the top of the page, is what Polk considers optimal.

Option 2 on the bottom of the page is what scottvamp recommends (and THX).

Option 1 sends bass to both your front speakers and the subwoofer.

With option 2, it depends on your receiver and the settings you use. Some receivers will send bass to both the front speakers and the subwoofer, some won't, and some give you a choice.

Note: Added after TroyD's post below.

With Option 1, you adjust the low-pass filter (cross-over) on the subwoofer.

With Option 2, you turn the low-pass filter on the subwoofer all the way up, and set the cross-over in your receiver's settings.

TroyD

The sub/sat systems were designed for the speaker level connection......

The big advantage is being able to adjust the crossover instead of having a fixed crossover.

Try it both ways...


BDT