Subwoofer connected to seperate amps via RCA and XLR

[SenatorDC]

Hi I’m running a pre-amp and power amp for hi fi listening. It is also connected via HT bypass to an AV receiver (as the front speakers are powered by the power amp). I would like to connect my B&W DB2D to my AV receiver via XLR for movies and also connect it to my power amps speaker terminals via speaker wire to RCA cable for music listening.

 

will this cause issues give the speaker wire from the power amp will be connected to the amp as well as the XLR during movie playback? 
 

the sub does allow you to enable or disable each connection type. Still don’t want to risk blowing it. Any answers or thoughts welcome.

[BioBrian]

Bit of a pregnant pause here - no doubt there's more detailed advice arriving soon...

 

You'll need to tell us the model of AV Receiver to get any good help with this. The more normal thing would be to take the LFE channel from the AVR to the Sub via RCA.

 

If you want to use the Sub for music listening (I suggest it'd be much better to use one for each channel, but that's just my experience), take the signals from the 2nd 'Pre-Outs' of your preamp, if it has these. Music listening would justify using XLR cables more than AV.

 

Assuming the Sub's remote can give you input selection, the XLR/RCA shorting problem may not (?) be an issue, as it would disconnect from the other input. And hopefully the input selected can maintain the settings: the AV LFE signal won't require a Low Pass filter, but the full-spectrum signal from the pre-outs will.

 

11 hours ago, SenatorDC said:

also connect it to my power amps speaker terminals via speaker wire to RCA cable for music listening.

 

It's really important to never try this. Taking a high-level signal from the output of your power amp and feeding it to the input of your 1000W Hypex Sub is likely to end in fireworks, permanent deafness, and the smoke from melted electronics is not only toxic, but hurts your lungs a lot.

 

(I've heard hyberbole is now a thing on this forum, and I'm keen to get a bit of practice in before it becomes a terminal offence).

[Guest]

It is not a matter of just connecting a subwoofer (and good that your subwoofer allows switching).  More important, how will the subwoofer be integrated?  Most AVRs will do this for you, but how will you do this for the stereo setup?

[SenatorDC]

Bit to digest so I will add the additional info (sorry thought this would be device agnostic).

 

Avr

preamp

power amp

 

sub 1 which I want to use for music and movies: b&w db2d

 

sub 2 which I have for movies 

 

 

using XLR to rca lfe to avr for the db2d

using rca from avr lfe 2 to sub2

 

with the Hifi side I have an dac that sends Spotify music to the pre amp

Edited March 25, 2024 by SenatorDC

[SenatorDC]

Sub allows for two simultaneous connections xlr and rca

[SenatorDC]

So whilst the. xlr output on the pre amp is used to connect the power amp, am I best placed to use the rca out direct to the db2d subwoofer

 

pic of pre amp

 

Edited March 25, 2024 by SenatorDC

[andyr]

5 hours ago, BioBrian said:

(I've heard hyberbole is now a thing on this forum, and I'm keen to get a bit of practice in before it becomes a terminal offence).

 

Haha!  

 

@SenatorDC, to follow on from what Snoops said:

 

3 hours ago, Snoopy8 said:

It is not a matter of just connecting a subwoofer (and good that your subwoofer allows switching).  More important, how will the subwoofer be integrated?  Most AVRs will do this for you, but how will you do this for the stereo setup?

 

There are 2 ways to add subs to your 'mains' (whether you're listening to music ... or watching fillums):

1. "augment" the mains - ie. run the mains full-range ... and select what you think is the most appropriate frequ for the sub(s) to kick in (ie. the low-pass filter).
2. "hand over" from the mains to the subs, at a particular frequency - IOW, apply a high-pass filter to the mains to complement the sub(s)'s LP filter.

 

#1 has 2 implications:

• there is a band of frequencies which will be delivered by both the mains & the sub(s) - which is not good.
• the lower the mains have to go ... the more distortion their woofers will deliver - and the more power the power amp driving them, will be used up driving the woofers.  

#2 removes the above issues ... but has just 1 negative:

• it's more complicated - as an active XO needs to be used.

 

BTW, I agree with this:

 

5 hours ago, BioBrian said:

If you want to use the Sub for music listening (I suggest it'd be much better to use one for each channel)

 

Edited March 23, 2024 by andyr

[SenatorDC]

Sub to be used for both movies and music connected to two seperate but integrated systems