I have some newbie questions about Behringer Inuke NU1000DSP

[BigLouis1971]

I plan to use the Behringer Inuke NU1000DSP amplifier to power a pair of Infinity Reference 1060W subs for my home theater but I'm a complete newbie in the subject and have some basic questions to get ready to start the project. First of all I noticed that the amplifier has XLR inputs instead of the commonly used RCA for home theaters. Can I just use XLR male to RCA female adapters to save money in a Rolls converter?

The amplifier also has no binding posts but speakon connectors for the speakers. Is there a way to convert the speakon connectors to banana jacks so I can use regular speaker cable from the amplifier to the subs?

Lastly, I read that the amplifier has a built-in 8 band parametric equalizer. Can I program which frequency each EQ band will control so I can use only frequencies that the subs will reproduce? My receiver has a built-in crossover that I plan to set to about 200 Hz and everything above that will not be sent to the subs so it will be very convenient if I can program the 8 band EQ to use frequencies ranging from 20 Hz to 200 Hz. I hope this can be done.

Thanks in advance for reading and helping me!

[Paul O]

Re: I have some newbie questions about Behringer Inuke NU1000DSP

Can I just use XLR male to RCA female adapters to save money in a Rolls converter?

Depends if your AVR has enough output voltage. What AVR do you have.

The amplifier also has no binding posts but speakon connectors for the speakers. Is there a way to convert the speakon connectors to banana jacks so I can use regular speaker cable from the amplifier to the subs?

You can buy speaker cables with numerous different connectors or you can make your own.

Can I program which frequency each EQ band will control so I can use only frequencies that the subs will reproduce?

Yes I believe you can but you won't likely need all of them for the sub. 200hz is a also rediculously high crossover frequency, for home theater the sub crossover is typically down at 80hz or below depending how low the main speakers can go.

[BigLouis1971]

Re: I have some newbie questions about Behringer Inuke NU1000DSP

Depends if your AVR has enough output voltage. What AVR do you have.

You can buy speaker cables with numerous different connectors or you can make your own.

Yes I believe you can but you won't likely need all of them for the sub. 200hz is a also rediculously high crossover frequency, for home theater the sub crossover is typically down at 80hz or below depending how low the main speakers can go.

My receiver is the Pioneer VSX-822-K but why the output voltage is important? What I want to do is to hook up a splitter to my subwoofer out and connect it to both inputs in the Behringer amplifier. Since the Behringer only has XLR inputs, I'll need two adapters to convert the XLR inputs into RCA females so I can hook up a RCA cable there. Why output voltage is important for that.

My receiver's crossover can also do 80Hz so I'll rephrase the question and I'll ask if the Behringer's EQ can be programmed to work from 20Hz to 80Hz. Common frequencies like 20, 25, 31.5, 40, 50, 63 and 80 Hz are really appreciated.

My speakers are Polk Audio Monitor 40 and they go as low as about 47 Hz.

[Paul O]

Re: I have some newbie questions about Behringer Inuke NU1000DSP

My receiver is the Pioneer VSX-822-K but why the output voltage is important?

It's important because a certain voltage level is needed to drive the amp to full output. For pro audio amplifiers that voltage is typically 1.2 to 1.4v but home audio products often only produce 0.7v output so an interface box like the ART Cleanbox is required. Have you downloaded the user manual for the iNuke? Many of your questions will be answered there.

[BigLouis1971]

Re: I have some newbie questions about Behringer Inuke NU1000DSP

It's important because a certain voltage level is needed to drive the amp to full output. For pro audio amplifiers that voltage is typically 1.2 to 1.4v but home audio products often only produce 0.7v output so an interface box like the ART Cleanbox is required. Have you downloaded the user manual for the iNuke? Many of your questions will be answered there.

Yeah I read the manual but is says nothing regarding the EQ being programmable and even less about XLR to RCA adapters and speakon to banana cables.

Regarding the XLR inputs, it seems it is not as simple as I thought then. I don't want to risk using the amplifier at half output capacity. With all those boxes and adapters this will be as expensive as getting a Crown amp like the X1000 for like $200 and a 31 band equalizer like the ART EQ-351 for like $115 which is another alternative I was thinking about. The Crown has already RCA inputs so I just need to run a mono RCA cable from the sub out to the equalizer, which also has a single RCA input. Then connect the RCA splitter in the EQ RCA output and run a dual mono RCA cable to the amplifier inputs so I can feed both channels. That alternative looks a lot easier for a newbie like me and will save the trouble of dealing with adapters and boxes. Do you think this will work?

[Brian Steele]

Re: I have some newbie questions about Behringer Inuke NU1000DSP

I've got the big brother to the 1000DSP, the 3000DSP. I'd recommend going with the 3000DSP if you can. The 1000DSP might get the 1060Ws moving, but the 3000DSP would have them standing up and paying attention .

If you are building your subwoofers, I suggest you seriously consider using Speakon connectors rather than binding posts for them. The cables are very easily to wire up in the connectors, and there's absolutely no chance of loose connections afterwards.

Yes, you can get XLR adapters to connect your HT receiver to the iNuke amp.

You shouldn't have to worry too much about the gain issue. There's 8dB of additional gain available in the x-over section, and you've got some gain available in the EQ section anyway. I hook my laptop directly to my 3000DSP when using it for PA and it works quite well without any additional boxes required.

Yes, you have a lot of control over the EQ and 'Q' of each band in the parametric EQ section. And it can be all controlled via computer using the USB interface as well. And you can store many settings and switch between each of them quite easily.

Your biggest problem with the iNuke is going to be this - fan noise. The fan is not deafeningly loud, but it is noticeable. Some mods (e.g. replacing the fan, maybe some internal case mods) should reduce this noise a bit.

[BigLouis1971]

Re: I have some newbie questions about Behringer Inuke NU1000DSP

So basically yes, I can program the EQ bands to only the frequencies sent to the subwoofer like from 20 Hz to 80 Hz. I would like to see a tutorial about how to configure the EQ. I'll take your advise and use speakon connectors in my subwoofer cabinets and XLR to RCA adapters for the amplifier inputs. For about $80 more the 3000DSP is a clear winner. I don't have the complete budget for this project yet but I'll start getting whatever I can each month. Next month I'll get one driver and some MDF to build one cabinet. Thanks for taking the time to answer to my post. There's really nice people in this forum.

[BigLouis1971]

Re: I have some newbie questions about Behringer Inuke NU1000DSP

Oh and I almost forgot. Can I use regular 12 AWG speaker wire to build the speakon cables? I have some left and I can save some $$$ if I'm able to use it.

[Paul O]

Re: I have some newbie questions about Behringer Inuke NU1000DSP

Can I use regular 12 AWG speaker wire to build the speakon cables?

Should be more than adequate.

[BigLouis1971]

Re: I have some newbie questions about Behringer Inuke NU1000DSP

Cool, now I need to calculate the dimensions of the box. I modeled the sub with WinISD using 2.5 cu ft box volume tuned to 24Hz and added some EQ filters for 20Hz, 40Hz and 80Hz resembling the ones of the Behringer and had pretty nice results. I had a flat response from about 80Hz to about 24Hz with F3 of 20Hz with some EQ tweaking. Now, the dimensions I plan to use for the box are 19"W x 19"H x 19"D for about 3.1 cu ft leaving room for braces, port, etc. The port's diameter will be about 3" and about 12" long to get that tuning frequency. This looks good to me, now I just need some member here to confirm that WinISD is accurate with those numbers or if somebody have some other suggestions for box volume and port dimensions, I'm all ears.

[madmallard]

Re: I have some newbie questions about Behringer Inuke NU1000DSP

My receiver is the Pioneer VSX-822-K but why the output voltage is important? What I want to do is to hook up a splitter to my subwoofer out and connect it to both inputs in the Behringer amplifier. Since the Behringer only has XLR inputs, I'll need two adapters to convert the XLR inputs into RCA females so I can hook up a RCA cable there. Why output voltage is important for that.

um... if this is one of the new generation smart amps, you shouldn't need to split the input. you should be able to plug into one channel, and set the software to mirror the channel, i think behringer calls it 'bridge mode' for some reason, even tho it has nothing to do with bridging on the power output side. (manual page 7)

also, this amp's inputs can receive an unbalanced 1/4" plugs(manual page 5). just get some rca-1/4" tips and you're good to go.

[Brian Steele]

Re: I have some newbie questions about Behringer Inuke NU1000DSP

um... if this is one of the new generation smart amps, you shouldn't need to split the input. you should be able to plug into one channel, and set the software to mirror the channel

Correct, the iNuke supports that type of configuration. I actually run mine in mono, using the A-channel input to the A and B amp stages with different EQ and x-over settings for each channel.

[Paul O]

Re: I have some newbie questions about Behringer Inuke NU1000DSP

Correct, the iNuke supports that type of configuration. I actually run mine in mono, using the A-channel input to the A and B amp stages with different EQ and x-over settings for each channel.

Which is commonly known as parallel or dual mono.. .why can't Behringer use these descriptions and put just a little more effort into their user manuals for the novice users. I own and love my DCX but damn if I wasn't a seasoned tech guy I'd probably struggle to use it like many I see online.. because the manual isn't a lot of help.

[BigLouis1971]

Re: I have some newbie questions about Behringer Inuke NU1000DSP

Correct, the iNuke supports that type of configuration. I actually run mine in mono, using the A-channel input to the A and B amp stages with different EQ and x-over settings for each channel.

Can you give more details about how to do it? I want to do the same as you but with only one EQ and x-over settings for both channels since both will handle similar drives inside similar boxes. I don't have the Behringer in my hands yet but I already ordered it and should be in my hands on Thursday. I want to have the necessary cables and connectors handy for when the amplifier finally gets here. I was browsing eBay for cables and found this 1/4" male to RCA male cable which I assume can be used to hook the receiver's sub out to one of the inputs of the Behringer. Can you check it and tell me if it'll work?

After I do that I should program the Behringer so it will mirror that channel so both outputs will carry the subwoofer signal. I would like a little more details about how to do that cause I browsed the net for that info for hours with no luck. Once I do that I should use speakon cables to connect the subs to the amplifier. I would like to build the cables myself so I can put to use some 12 AWG speaker wire I have laying around. I plan to build speakon to banana plug cables so I guess I should use one speakon and banana plug connector per cable and one terminal cup per subwoofer. I will need more info about what speakon connectors should I use, 2 pole or 4 pole and how to wire them. I also would like to know how to put the Behringer in bridged mode just in case that I change my mind and decide to build a single 15" subwoofer and decide to use all of the amp power for a single channel. I browsed Ebay for speakon connectors and found some very affordable ones. Banana plugs here. Terminal cups here.

Now I would like your opinion about the JBL GTO1214 as a home theater subwoofer. I found a nice discount for when you buy two of them. The first at regular price and the second one at half price. I can get two of those for about $119.92 which is a very good price for two 12" subwoofers. Another alternative I was studing is to get a single 15" JBL GTO1514 and to use the Behringer in bridge mode for one channel. The box I plan to use will measure about 22" W x 22" D x 36" H for a total of about 8 ft3 for either driver 12" or 15".

Somebody please help me wire my amp and share your thoughts about those drivers. Thanks in advance.

[Brian Steele]

Re: I have some newbie questions about Behringer Inuke NU1000DSP

Answers:

1. To configure the amp for Bridge mode, download and install the "iNuke Remote Connection" application on your PC, and connect it to the amp via the USB I/f on its front panel. Start the application, and once the amp is recognized, select the "Configuration" tab and then select the "Bridge" option. That's it. Of course you can also do this via the amp's front panel, but it's so much easier to make other adjustments via the application and the USB I/f that I suggest you use that approach.

2. I suggest using SpeakOn connections at the subwoofer as well as at the amp. Forget about the banana terminals thing, seriously. Invest in 4-pole SpeakOn connectors.

3. That cable should work yes. I just used an adapter that plugs into the input connectors at the back of the amp and converts it to a female RCA jack, which I could then use with ordinary RCA cables

4. The GTO1214 should be fine. It's a cheap sub, but the specs are good, and JBL's published specs are usually quite accurate. I'd go with the two 12s and separate subwoofer boxes, which will give you a lot more flexibility.