Hook up two subs

Mike Fu

Hi, could someone help me with how to hook up two subs from one receiver? My system currently has one sub (PSW12), but my room is large and the bass is not filling well. I want to add a second sub (I have a PSW10), but am not sure how to hook the two up. Should I use a Y cable to connect the sub out on the receiver to the two subs? If so, should I worry about impedance? Thanks.

Mike

Skynut

That is a good question.
I am doing just that, I had a Y-cable custom made to hook up to both my subs and I crank them quite a lot.
So far so good but I was wondering just that.
I also run a Y-cable from my center pre-amp output to a second amp. this runs 2 extra center speakers for my HT.
I have just been hoping this was o.k.
I hope someone with knowledge answers this question.

John K.

Mike, yes the way to connect the two subs is to use a Y-connector, and no, impedance is a non-factor; you're not powering the subs with your receiver, you're just sending line-level signals to the internal sub amps. If you position the two subs within about a quarter wave length of each other(e.g. about two feet at 100Hz), then their cones will couple and you'll get about a 6dB increase in output. If you position the subs far apart(e.g. in the middle of opposite walls)this will tend to provide a smoother bass response by canceling some of the room modes, but the increase in output will only be the 3dB provided whenever two speakers are playing the same sound. If you do locate the subs very close to each other it might be more convenient to place the Y at one of the subs rather than at the receiver, and then just run a short cable from the Y over to the second sub.

Sky, the same comments about the subs would apply to you. Your setup with three center speakers is a bit unusual, but if you like it there's no electrical problem with running the two connections from the center channel preamp output. If the two channels of the second amp are powerful enough for the two extra center speakers, then that's also fine.

ntculenuff

you could also connect the second sub the 10 using the L&R pre outs of the rcvr crossing this one over higher and using your bigger sub for just LFE and crossing it over around 70-60 hz i ran this setup in my house for years put the 10 up front closer to the tv between the mains ,x-over at about 125hz and my 12 at about 65hz in the back corner created a more solid sound nice and full in the low mids, and then the LFE could do just the low frequencies didnt have to work as hard to fill what the mains could not do. on a 200-20 hz sweep i had a slight dip at about 78hz due to the x-over in the rcvr.
give this a try i liked this sound better once i dialed it in, then just y-ing off the LFE

Skynut

Originally posted by John K.

Sky, the same comments about the subs would apply to you. Your setup with three center speakers is a bit unusual, but if you like it there's no electrical problem with running the two connections from the center channel preamp output. If the two channels of the second amp are powerful enough for the two extra center speakers, then that's also fine.

Thanks for that, I was pretty sure all was ok judging by the sound.
I like it this way because the center is where most of the movie soundtrack comes from. It also gives me a seamless center stage, the sound appears to come from the center of the screen instead of the top. Plus I allready had the amp and speakers just sittin around.