Subwoofer Switching Device ???

Early B.

OK, here's what I've got:

-- a subwoofer hooked to my LFE on the receiver
-- an int. amp with sub outs powering my fronts

So everything's cool for HT, but for 2-channel listening, since the sub is hooked up to the reciever and the reciever is powered off, I don't have the sub in play for music.

Here's the issue I'm trying to resolve:

-- use bookshelf speakers and provide ample bass with a sub
-- refrain from purchasing another sub for 2-channel only
-- maximize the use of my exisiting sub

Here's what I'd like to do:

-- hook the sub up to the receiver and the int. amp.
-- use some sort of simple switching device to direct the LFE signal appropriately depending upon HT or 2-channel (i.e., for HT the signal flows from the receiver to the sub; for 2-channel the signal flows from the int. amp to the sub).

Does such a switching device exist for the application described above?

Alternatively, would this idea work -- hooking up the sub to the int. amp only, thereby having bass for HT and 2-channel ??? (however, this option would not benefit from the receiver's bass management functions)

Any other options or ideas?

Thanks.

unc2701

Can you tell your receiver to direct all the sub info the the mains? Most have some sort of option for this (or do it based on your small/large settings) That would be the first choice.

oh, and an oulaw ICBM could fit into that setup in a number of ways.

Early B.

unc2701 wrote:

Can you tell your receiver to direct all the sub info the the mains? Most have some sort of option for this (or do it based on your small/large settings) That would be the first choice.

I just did this and it worked great for music, but for some reason the sub was not firing for HT. I had the fronts set to "LARGE" and "NO" for a subwoofer.

I'm not sure why the int. amp was sending a signal to the sub for music, but no signal was being sent for HT. Any ideas?

unc2701

'cause it blows. Sounds like you did everything right, but some processors just don't do what they should. See if you have a "both" option for subwoofer signals main/sub, otherwise you're SOL (or get the icbm)...

Anyhow, for music, the data is 2 channel, fullrange. For most movies, you've got 5 channels rolled off on the soundtrack at 80hz, then a sub channel with everything under 80hz. The processor should route that .1 infor to your mains (and on to your sub) if you've got sub set to no and mains set to large, but apparently that's not happening.

unc2701

ok, just checked your manual and it should be passing the LF signals... are you using the analog input for your DVD player or coax/optical?

Early B.

unc2701 wrote:

ok, just checked your manual and it should be passing the LF signals... are you using the analog input for your DVD player or coax/optical?

Using Coax.

Does it matter??? Would it work if I switched to analog?

FWIW, the int. amp is connected to the receiver via the L/R pre-outs.

unc2701

Sometimes the analog inputs are "direct" so they bypass all the dsp/ crossover crap.

weird.... I'm stumped.

Early B.

Yeah, I'm stumped, too. I have no idea why it didn't work.

OK, let's consider another alternative -- sounds crazy, but how about hooking up the sub to both the receiver and the int. amp. ??? This scenario will definately work for music because the receiver is powered off, and it should work for HT because the sub is hooked up to the sub out on the receiver. Any thoughts?

unc2701

Yep I was thinking that, too- LFE for the receiver and line level from the integrated. The only problem I see is that some plate amps will disenage the one input when the other is hooked up...

Otherwise, I can't see any problems- They're low level inputs so you don't have to worry about melting anything and those inputs should be isolated. Give it a shot.

Early B.

OK, Thanks. I'll try it as soon as I get some front speakers (just sold mine a couple of hours ago). Damn.

Polkitup2

I have used a simple coax A/B switch to run the LFE out from the receiver and run a line level from my integrated amp to the sub. It was a pain in the **** because I would have to flip the A/B switch and when listening to two channel I would have to manually enable the crossover on the sub. One time I flipped the A/B switch and got a loud pop out of the sub and decided I didn't want to do that anymore. So now my integrated amp is used just as an amp with the signal coming from the receiver. Did the integrated amp sound better than the receiver for 2-channel? Maybe a little bit. Was it worth the hassle? No.

Early B.

Polkitup2 wrote:

I have used a simple coax A/B switch to run the LFE out from the receiver and run a line level from my integrated amp to the sub.

Can you provide a link or two? Thanks.

I googled it, but only came up with A/B switches for televisions.