Advice regarding LFE vs Speaker inputs.

BeRad

I use my system for both 2 ch music and HT. Front L and R are fed by an amp getting signal from the Pre-out on the avr. The Sub is currently hooked up via LFE.

Since I don't exactly have "full range" speakers, I would like to have my sub playing when I am listening to CDs. So here is the question:

Is there any disadvantage in forgetting the LFE and running speaker wire from the amp to the sub, and then out to the mains besides having to use the crossover on the sub? (SQ, Added resistance or 'strain' on amp, etc...)

I'm sorry if this has been asked before but a search gave me so much unrelated info that it got overwhelming trying to fish through it.

kcoc321

IF you don't have another set o Full Range Preouts, you could 'Y' the preouts to the sub as well as your amp for the F/L/R.

you would then need to adjust the volume & x-over on the sub since it will be running FR vs using the LFE from the AVR.

Only downside, as I can see, is that you would lose the separate LFE signal, since they would be absorbed into the FR signal. Only would be while using HT.

BeRad

Could I use the pre going to the amp and the speaker outs of the avr going to the sub?? Or does the avr shut down the speaker outs when the pre-outs are used?

obieone

IIRC, you can wire the L/R inputs, and the LFE on the sub at the same time, without having to make any adjustments. The LFE ch. only gets a signal during multich. playback, so, whenever you're playing stereo, the preouts will send the full range signal to the sub and the amp/ speakers. Just set the x-over on the back of the sub all the way up, and it will 'take' as much of the signal as allowed.
A couple of Y-splitters, and you should be good to go.

obieone

disregard previous post! bad advice

kawizx9r

obieone wrote: »

disregard previous post! bad advice

Good call lol

I think however what obieone is trying to say is you can utilize both methods of using either preamp outputs from your avr OR speaker terminal inputs on your sub for music and then LFE in on your sub from your avrs sub-out for HT. Important thing is, do NOT use both methods AT THE SAME TIME. Some people actually go to their sub and manually connect/disconnect cables to utilize said-method depending what they're listening to, because it gives them different levels of 'tweaking' and sound.

BeRad

Hmmm... I'm thinking maybe a splitter from the front pre-outs that will feed the amp and the sub at the same time. Seems to be the best option with no dicking around after I find a nice crossover/volume point.

jaychevel

I have a pair of Monitor 70's and a CSI5 which I have biwired. They sound great, compared with when I originally hooked up with a single wiring. They just seem more crisp.
I have a velodyne woofer that is hooked up through my Onkyo SR-604
with a "Y" cable into the LFE in. My woofer is not activated in stereo or game mode, only surround mode.
How do I hook up my woofer at speaker level when my Monitor 70's are biwired? Which set of speaker pins do I use? I would like to just run wire from my Monitor 70's to my woofer do decrease distortion to my Monitor 70's, if that is appropriate.

I appreciate any help
jaychevel

thuffman03

It all depends on how you use your sytem most. 2 channel or HT. If you use it for HT more I would keep the sub on the LFE and set your speakers to small or cut the base to just above their bottem base level.

If you use your system more as a 2 channel I would run the speaker cables over to the sub and use the sub's cross over and then to the speakers. Set your speakers to Large or full range. The sub will filter out the lower base and play it.

That is what I would do. The first way using the LFE is most likely better for both methods but I am more of a 2 channel guy so I ran my HT the second way till I got a dedicated 2 channel system. Now my HT will be back to using the LFE.

xrock

disadvantage: more contact point and more clutter, but better for 2 channel music.


Y splitter to split out the LFE signal is a good idea or get receiver with two pre-out or have a dedicated 2 channel system. From low resolution to Hi resolution on money.

Krazyz1

Use your sub as a sub which means use LFE exclusivly and bite the bullit. Through 1 of my suppliers I just got certified by VELODYNE as a subwoofer certified pro. The test is not EASY. Always go LFE....Everything else is second best.

Krazyz1

I just bought a pair of DSW400PRO. I run mostly vintage cause I like the " sound " There fore I do not have LFE option other than just on subs. Luckily my ROTEL pre-amp has 2 out puts in the event you want to bi-amp. So I have to use 2nd outputs on ROTEL OR jumper in from my A9's. Neither the greatest options , but what I have to work with. If LFE available will ALWAYS be top pick. Might just have to save your pennies and get some better speakers. In todays economy , and your CAREFUL there are some bargins to be had on Craig's list.

ctrulock

Depends if your sub has high pass filter when wired with speaker level inputs as well.

NewHTguy

kcoc321 wrote: »

IF you don't have another set o Full Range Preouts, you could 'Y' the preouts to the sub as well as your amp for the F/L/R.

you would then need to adjust the volume & x-over on the sub since it will be running FR vs using the LFE from the AVR.

Only downside, as I can see, is that you would lose the separate LFE signal, since they would be absorbed into the FR signal. Only would be while using HT.

That's what I do. The problem is that this approach requires running the L/R speakers at full range. So OP will get more bass but may be asking too much from his/her L and R.

As has been stated, you really need a sub with it's own crossover to use this strategy so that you can tweak the sound.

Erik Tracy

BeRad wrote: »

I use my system for both 2 ch music and HT. Front L and R are fed by an amp getting signal from the Pre-out on the avr. The Sub is currently hooked up via LFE.

Since I don't exactly have "full range" speakers, I would like to have my sub playing when I am listening to CDs. So here is the question:

Is there any disadvantage in forgetting the LFE and running speaker wire from the amp to the sub, and then out to the mains besides having to use the crossover on the sub? (SQ, Added resistance or 'strain' on amp, etc...)

I'm sorry if this has been asked before but a search gave me so much unrelated info that it got overwhelming trying to fish through it.

You should experiment to see what sounds best for your setup.

Unless you are running your rig at high volumes, you should be willing to compare whether running your sub on speaker level inputs or 'standard' LFE pre outs is what YOU think sounds best.

Personally - I like my sub on when listening to music and instead prefer to use the continous variable settings of the xover control on the sub to integrate my sub with my speakers.

Music does NOT have scary low frequency levels - so you should not be put off from trying the speaker level inputs to your sub.

And as long as you are judicious in how loud you listen to to movies - you should not be scared about LFE levels to your Front L/R mains either - imho, that is an "overblown issue"...pun intended.

NewHTguy

NewHTguy wrote: »

That's what I do. The problem is that this approach requires running the L/R speakers at full range. So OP will get more bass but may be asking too much from his/her L and R.

To clarify, I did not intend to suggest that you could "harm" your speakers. I was suggesting that, from a sound quality perspective, you may not want to run your speakers at full range. This is why many suggest setting a Xover for your fronts at 80hz. Good luck!