Results 1 to 6 of 6
  1. #1
    Forum Regular
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Posts
    34

    Sub-out or connecting speakers throught your sub?

    Is there any difference in sound quality between using a sub out or connecting your speakers through your subwoofer? I've never heard that there is but it seems like there could be.

  2. #2
    Super Moderator Site Moderator JohnMichael's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Central Ohio
    Posts
    6,307
    If you are using a powered sub in my opinion it is best to use the sub out. There is less distortion and your main speakers can be driven full range from your amp or receiver. Subs I have used if you hook up through the speaker outputs to the sub their is sometimes a crossover removing low bass from the main speakers and sometimes adding colorations. Of course with small satelite speakers it might be beneficial to remove the low bass. As always it will depend on your system and related equipment. Try it both ways and stick with the one that gives better sound.

  3. #3
    Kursun
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    Izmir, Turkey
    Posts
    145
    Quote Originally Posted by Curtis
    Is there any difference in sound quality between using a sub out or connecting your speakers through your subwoofer? I've never heard that there is but it seems like there could be.
    I don't think serious subs have main speaker outs. If there are any main speaker outputs at the sub they usually have an electrolytic condenser wired in series. This acts as a simple 6 db/octave filter applied at the main speaker outputs. This is an uncontrolled low quality approach. Such a high valued electrolytic capacitor in series will have adverse effects on the main speakers. Ideally you should only use the dedicated sub outs and wire the main speakers directly. All sub crossover tasks should be handled at line level, not speaker level.

  4. #4
    Loving This kexodusc's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    Department of Heuristics and Research on Material Applications
    Posts
    9,025
    Quote Originally Posted by JohnMichael
    If you are using a powered sub in my opinion it is best to use the sub out. There is less distortion and your main speakers can be driven full range from your amp or receiver. Subs I have used if you hook up through the speaker outputs to the sub their is sometimes a crossover removing low bass from the main speakers and sometimes adding colorations. Of course with small satelite speakers it might be beneficial to remove the low bass. As always it will depend on your system and related equipment. Try it both ways and stick with the one that gives better sound.
    JohnMichael brings up some good points.
    All I would add is that the low-level or high-level inputs into the subwoofer should yield the same sound quality for the subwoofer. Powering speakers and a subwoofer from a plate amp could get a bit tricky though depending on your speakers. If the LFE input option is available, there's no reason not to use it.

    The nice thing about using the speaker-line inputs into the sub is that you fully employ the crossover to the speakers. Even most large floorstanders will benefit from improved linear control, lower distortion, and quicker, more accurate and better response, when relieved of the most demaning frequencies in the bottom octave. You reduce the amount of excursion required, possibly preveneting damage, but keeping the speaker's output more linear. This becomes even more important as you turn up the volume. Thankfully most modern receivers have flexible bass management allowing you to cross signal over to the subwoofer. At some point in the future I hope more higher end amplifier and pre-amp manufacturers wisen up and take advantage of this potential.

  5. #5
    Forum Regular
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Posts
    5
    But I heard that the crossover of the sub collides with the crossover in the receiver resulting in decreasing sound quality.
    So is there a way to turn of the crossover of the sub from the inside circuitry?

  6. #6
    Loving This kexodusc's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    Department of Heuristics and Research on Material Applications
    Posts
    9,025
    The sub's crossover doesn't necessarily interfere with the receivers crossover...turn the sub's xo all the way up and it basically makes it useless...the receiver will ensure that now frequencies above the reciever's crossover are going to the sub anyway, so you're crossing over outside the ability of the sub...
    some subs have a by-pass that makes it easier, but it's really not any more effective.

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. Replies: 13
    Last Post: 10-14-2013, 08:44 AM
  2. Connecting speakers to crossover.
    By Konran in forum The Audio Lab, Tweaks, Mods, DIY
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 05-06-2005, 11:33 AM
  3. RGA Reviews Page 3 - yes still more.
    By RGA in forum Speakers
    Replies: 30
    Last Post: 09-11-2004, 05:10 PM
  4. NEWB question about connecting speakers..
    By metalcraze in forum Speakers
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 03-07-2004, 08:20 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •