Sub Hookups for 2 Ch best SQ

Jetmaker737

I'm looking to add a sub to my LSi15's to extend the bass. I mainly listen 2 Ch which means using "Direct" or "Pure Audio" mode from my AVR (the DSP modes have poor 2 Ch SQ). Because of this my LFE is disabled in 2 Ch. Looks like I have 3 choices for hookup:

1) Use a Y splitter from my AVR pre-outs. Question: I think this will end up "doubling" the bass below the crossover frequency. Is that a bad thing? Can it be compensated? Are there any issues with splitting the signal like that?
2) On some sub brands there are low-level inputs and outputs, so I could route from AVR to sub then to amp. Could using this configuration affect SQ? Am I at the mercy of a potentially poor-quality crossover in the sub? (if I choose to enable it to prevent "doubling"). What about the impact of long IC runs required?
3) High level (speaker level) inputs/outputs. In this case routing from amp to sub to speakers. How does this compare SQ-wise to option 2? I assume there is potentially the same crossover issue too.

I'm sure this has all been covered here before but I couldn't find any threads addressing the impact of SQ or advantages/disadvantages of the hookup methods.

Thanks!
Jet

dhaukrha

I accept with information:
1. Use a Y splitter from my AVR pre-outs. Question: I think this will end up "doubling" the bass below the crossover frequency. Is that a bad thing? Can it be compensated? Are there any issues with splitting the signal like that?
2. On some sub brands there are low-level inputs and outputs, so I could route from AVR to sub then to amp. Could using this configuration affect SQ? Am I at the mercy of a potentially poor-quality crossover in the sub? (if I choose to enable it to prevent "doubling"). What about the impact of long IC runs required?
3. High level (speaker level) inputs/outputs. In this case routing from amp to sub to speakers. How does this compare SQ-wise to option 2? I assume there is potentially the same crossover issue too.

sk1939

2nd post reported.

1)As far as using the preouts, you will have to "tune" your subwoofer using the crossover.
2) Going through the subwoofer shouldn't matter, it's just a pass through, but you'd be better off using a Y splitter at the amp. The longer an IC you use, the more the signal will degrade (at least for an analog signal).
3) You mean to option 1? There is still the same crossover issue, and the same cable routing issue, just a different way of doing it. For a sub, if possible you really want to use the LFE out, and in a 2 channel amp that dosen't have an LFE or a SUB out, you want to use the speaker connections, because the Pre Amp out is often used for an amp driving the two front speakers. If it's only a 2 channel setup, and/or you don't have an additional amp, you can use the Pre Outs.

Regardless, using the Line level inputs/outputs or speaker level inputs/outputs shouldn't cause a noticeable drop in sound quality. But as I stated, using an LFE out is preferable...

cancunphoto12

sk1939 wrote: »

2nd post reported.

1)As far as using the preouts, you will have to "tune" your subwoofer using the crossover.
2) Going through the subwoofer shouldn't matter, it's just a pass through, but you'd be better off using a Y splitter at the amp. The longer an IC you use, the more the signal will degrade (at least for an analog signal).
3) You mean to option 1? There is still the same crossover issue, and the same cable routing issue, just a different way of doing it. For a sub, if possible you really want to use the LFE out, and in a 2 channel amp that dosen't have an LFE or a SUB out, you want to use the speaker connections, because the Pre Amp out is often used for an amp driving the two front speakers. If it's only a 2 channel setup, and/or you don't have an additional amp, you can use the Pre Outs.
Regardless, using the Line level inputs/outputs or speaker level inputs/outputs shouldn't cause a noticeable drop in sound quality. But as I stated, using an LFE out is preferable...

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