Does Polk VM20 have capacitor to block low frequencies?
10-SE
Posts: 5
Greetings,
Does the Polk VM20 have capacitors to block unwanted low frequencies, or is an electronic crossover required?
My dilemma is:
I want to send an unfiltered speaker-level signal paralleled to a Velodyne sub and and a pair of VM20s. I was hoping the VM20s would have the capacity to filiter out these low frequencies.
I can't use the sub's high-pass because there is only 4 (unshielded) conductors prewired TO the sub (nothing prewired back FROM the sub).
Furthermore, the VM20s and sub are fed by 2 different source amplifiers (House music) vs. (local AVR) routed via an automatic speaker-level A/B source switch. So I would set the AVR to "no sub", sending the full frequency complement to the auto A/B switch, then on to VM20s and sub.
Should I install an outboard crossover or bass blocker just before the VM20s? Or do the VM20s already have good (preferrably mylar) capacitors to block unwanted frequencies?
An alternate configuration...you don't have to read this, I appreciate your attention to this point...I could pigtail the house music leads to feed a line-level converter to a line level A/B switch, as well as the speaker-level A/B switch. The line level A/B could switch between line level sources from (converted) house amp vs. the local AVR's sub out, and send them to the sub. The speaker-level A/B would do the house vs. AVR switching for the VM20s.
Two of the problems w/ this config are:
1. I would have to send line level signals to the sub over 14awg (barely twisted) speaker wire w/ RCA fittings. Wrong impedance. And could pick up noise, but probably no more than the speaker-level signal.
2. When the A/B switch is set to the local AVR, I would need to make sure that the crossovers of the AVR and sub don't battle it out. Maybe set the AVR crossover super high and the sub's low pass at 80Hz.
The first config is the simpler, but which offers less signal degredation?
Thanks
Does the Polk VM20 have capacitors to block unwanted low frequencies, or is an electronic crossover required?
My dilemma is:
I want to send an unfiltered speaker-level signal paralleled to a Velodyne sub and and a pair of VM20s. I was hoping the VM20s would have the capacity to filiter out these low frequencies.
I can't use the sub's high-pass because there is only 4 (unshielded) conductors prewired TO the sub (nothing prewired back FROM the sub).
Furthermore, the VM20s and sub are fed by 2 different source amplifiers (House music) vs. (local AVR) routed via an automatic speaker-level A/B source switch. So I would set the AVR to "no sub", sending the full frequency complement to the auto A/B switch, then on to VM20s and sub.
Should I install an outboard crossover or bass blocker just before the VM20s? Or do the VM20s already have good (preferrably mylar) capacitors to block unwanted frequencies?
An alternate configuration...you don't have to read this, I appreciate your attention to this point...I could pigtail the house music leads to feed a line-level converter to a line level A/B switch, as well as the speaker-level A/B switch. The line level A/B could switch between line level sources from (converted) house amp vs. the local AVR's sub out, and send them to the sub. The speaker-level A/B would do the house vs. AVR switching for the VM20s.
Two of the problems w/ this config are:
1. I would have to send line level signals to the sub over 14awg (barely twisted) speaker wire w/ RCA fittings. Wrong impedance. And could pick up noise, but probably no more than the speaker-level signal.
2. When the A/B switch is set to the local AVR, I would need to make sure that the crossovers of the AVR and sub don't battle it out. Maybe set the AVR crossover super high and the sub's low pass at 80Hz.
The first config is the simpler, but which offers less signal degredation?
Thanks
Kris Gentry
Post edited by 10-SE on
Comments
-
If I read that confusion correctly....since you change the explanation towards the end.
The speaker level inputs TO the Velodyne subwoofer could care less where the actual signal is coming from since it's origin is a selector box. As far as where the unwanted frequencies go, the subwoofer would have to handle that issue with speaker level inputs.
No, you don't have to install additional caps in-line(Bass Blockers) to reduce bass frequencies to the VM20. If so, that would be stated in the manual and it is not.
Do the VM20 have internal connections for safety? I don't know, good question, but most of the smaller Sub/Sat combinations were designed to be "helpful" to the end user.
Mylar? Who cares.
If you're already using a speaker selector switch, with two different sources of amplification, I believe we're nitpicking about "signal degradation" at this point.CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint. -
Sounds good. Thanks for taking the time to respond.Kris Gentry
