The best way to connect a subwoofer

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[stephen]

I have only ever purchased a subwoofer that has high-level inputs as it's the only way I like to connect mine, I am running two 8" subs at the moment with one on the left channel and the other on the right. Thank you Paul for explaining this.

[TheTrotkatz]

I was impressed by several of Paul's videos What would make them even better is the inclusion of a schematic drawing to aid this talk.

[MichaelSamuelson]

Wow! I had just bought a new sub (SW 10s) and I was really struggling with it. No matter what I did, I could not get the sound to even out with my towers. Placement and settings I spent hours. I figured what the heck, connected the speaker outs to the HL inputs and bam! Ten minutes later, switching to direct mode and it's sweet as honey. Thank you so much for this tip. Downside no level control I have to get up and fiddle with it if I want to change the level to the source music, but let's be real if I was worried about that I wouldn't have started down the vinyl road. Thank you thank you!

[johngarbutt]

Sure does help. What you say makes complete sense. Thank you.

[bernardkinghorn]

Not being very computer savvy I have just discovered this channel and I'm learning quite a bit. I have only ever come close to having my sub disappear. I will be hooking up the sub this way tomorrow to give it a try. Thank you for the explanation as to why you do it this way, it just makes sense. I was using the sub out because I thought it would be " cleaner" but what you said about producing the sound of the amp turned me around to your way of thinking. I mean I bought my amp because I liked the way it made my speakers sound so why wouldn't I put that same signal to my sub? Thanks again.

[firstgeargreg]

Paul is saying use the speaker outputs on your main power amplifier to the speaker inputs of the sub woofer. There is also speaker outputs on the sub woofer that go to your main speakers. This way, the sound qualities of your main amp are reproduced both in your main speakers and the sub woofer. Paul is saying the high level outputs are the speaker outputs on the amp and the high level inputs are the speaker inputs on the sub.

[milkman]

hi paul. i asked the same question to you guys not long ago regarding my bhk pre or my bhk 250 and the email reply was " use the preouts on the bhk" . so im going to try this way now and see which sounds better.

[j.t.cooper]

This is what i have thought for 25 years! And it sounds great high level.

[JimmyG]

What about impediance/resistance on the speaker/amp when hanging on a cable on one channel to a subwoofer?

[oysteinsoreide]

I think I will try this out. Just out of curiosity. I now have pre out used for this. But find it interesting to try this out.

[BJyelhsA]

I discovered REL subs are made a few miles from me recently. That made my day. Wonder if they have any jobs going for an electronics engineer like me.

[Mark-lqsb]

I agree 100% about the using the amp(s) for feeding the subs. Makes great sense, but as you stated power amps produce their 'own' sound, so shouldn't a driver produce it's 'own' signature sound (in this case a woofer.) Once you introduce a sub(s) to your system are you now producing two different signature 'sounds' ? Or do you believe that all woofers produce the same 'sound' and it's just a matter of producing certain HZ? Thanks!

[fferrari]

My preamp is controlled by a remote. It has subwoofer volume control. In order to utilize I need to use the LFE out. My subwoofer has it’s own crossover and gain also in the back of the box. I only have 1 subwoofer. It was two 12’s where one fires downward. It’s an M&K sub.

It also has the high level inputs and outputs but I choose not to connect it this way.

I have a 5.1 system and can listen in 2.1.

I used to only have Paradigm Studio 20 6.5 2 way book shelf speakers and I would say the system lacked some mid bass punch and overall soundstage.

I then picked up some Studio 60’s and when listening in 2.1 it was much better.

I don’t find any issue with the double crossover situation. Using LFE output and then going into the subwoofer crossover.

I listen to all kinds of different music and every recording is different. Some are bass heavy and some are light. It’s a pain having to get up and adjust the gain on the subwoofer manually.

I like to be able to adjust the bass subwoofer level with my remote control.

I still see value in the set up being discussed but to me a passive type woofer mid bass box might be preferred for those who have smaller type main speakers or bookshelf’s.

[fatboy]

This is exactly how I was taught by my mentor. How my system is hooked up to this day.

[jeffcampanale]

And that's exactly how I connect my subwoofer. I use REW software and this yields the best results. It even helps place the subwoofer in the room.

[JadeB]

That's the reason I chose to build 2 speakers that include the sub + a good midrange + a tweeter. if you have a powerful receiver it can be done easily.

[alext]

High level is indeed best for music for a 2.1 system. I do and have never looked back. Much better timing and integration in my experience.

[KarlHamilton]

A lot of people gonna be blowing their subwoofers preamp up now haha.

[dhpbear]

Paul, Wouldn't servo-controlled subwoofers be a better choice? Obviously, in this case, they would HAVE to have its own amps (a la IRS-V's)

[stevengerard]

Shout out to Perth! My beloved home town. Now in SC. Planning on being in Boulder early December; will music room 01 be ready then?