Quote Originally Posted by Geoffcin
When I run a splitter in my velodynes? I just don't seem to get that effect from doing it.
Not necessarily - depending on the subwoofer manufacturer, different things can happen. Today, the most common thing I'm seeing (my last 4 subs and most people I've asked) is that the plate amp will sum the 2 separate L/R inputs before going to the power amp. You will actually get up to 6dB of voltage gain depending on how the summing is done..

Theoretically, you could get as much as a +3 dB output increase at the woofer for a given setting.

My last few subs manuals actually recommended using the L/R with a splitter increase the input strength. The plate amp just sums the inputs into a mono signal for the woofer. In a perfect system it'd be double, but you probably lose some. It's pretty noticeable and easy to measure.

I'm not sure what the real advantages are though. I accomplished just as much for years using 1 cable. The only benefit I can think of using the Y-cable is if your receiver's LFE output signal is weak while at or near it's max limit...not likely these days.

I've heard a lot of people (usually with cables to sell) say it benefits signal purity by reducing loss. I can't see how.