Question about "Polk Method" hookup

hiflyer555

Alright, I've read lots of material about the differences between hooking up a sub using the "polk method" (speaker level in/out with wires), and using the sub out on the avr. Up until recently, I've only used the sub-out method, generally with pretty decent results. However, I just got a couple of new fronts for Christmas (monitor 50s) and decided to try the speaker level way. To me, it sounded a little fuller, and the sub seemed to sound a little more blended with the rest of the system (as well as sounding more pronounced).

Now, here's the question: I have also read that with the Polk method, the receiver will warm up quite a bit more. Do I need to be worried about frying the amp in my receiver? My system is very modest compared to most of the set-ups that I've seen on these forums: Pioneer vsx-814, Polk Monitor 50 fronts, AudioSource center/rears, and Polk PSW120 sub ("vintage Polk," as they seem to call it). I don't listen to my system at extreme levels (I live in a crowded apt complex), so should the receiver temp remain at a decent level unless I really crank it? Thanks!

Tour2ma

You should be fine the Polk way. As best I know, it doesn't make the amp work any harder.

Those Mon 50's aren't too shabby are they?

Welcome to the Club... Always good to see another Texan in the mix.

John K.

555, welcome. Possibly the reason that the bass sounded "fuller" is that the mains were being run full-range and were adding to the overall bass output, instead of being rolled-off by the filter in the receiver. My view is that the bass management of the receiver should be used to relieve the speakers(and the amp channels driving them)of part of the bass load and put it onto the sub which can handle it best; but of course it's your call.

When the speaker wire connection(Polk)is made to the sub, no power from the receiver(just the signal information)is used by the sub since the input impedance of the sub amp is so high(in the tens of thousands of ohms)that essentially no power can flow. The sub is still powered entirely by its own amp. If the speakers are being run full-range instead of being rolled-off in the bass, this will use more power from the receiver.

aaharvel

i don't understand polk's method when it comes to hooking multiple speakers.

If it were simply a 2channel sub/satellite setup then I would prefer the Polk method.

For a 5.1 or 7.1 setup I prefer the Subwoofer Jack hands down.

Eric W

aaharvel wrote:

i don't understand polk's method when it comes to hooking multiple speakers.

If it were simply a 2channel sub/satellite setup then I would prefer the Polk method.

For a 5.1 or 7.1 setup I prefer the Subwoofer Jack hands down.

Yes in many cases, but not always. These are the instances where the "polk method" would be better.
-Systems that have the sub crossover fixed and non-defeatable (RM6800 and RM10 for example). In this case you will definately double filter the signal going to the subwoofer using the sub out into line in method.

-Systems where the subwoofer is far away from the receiver, more then a 30 foot run. At these lengths the line level subwoofer cable will have a tendency to pick up alot of noise, particularly hum.

-Older Dolby Pro Logic/Dolby Surround systems where there is no dedicated subwoofer output.

-Systems whose receivers shut the "sub out" off when using two channel mode (most notably older Dolby Digital Onkyo's).

MLZ

With my 6800's I didn't seem to get the LFE from DVD's but I prefered music with the "Polk Method" so went to the "Traditional" hookup.
If I set up the RM6800's using the Polk Method, added a second subwoofer (PSW10?) connected to subout jack and ran auto calibration on my Onkyo 603, would I "have the best of both worlds" with great music sound and LFE? Would this be difficult to set the front and subwoofer settings?