Subwoofer Question

[kevin007]

This may be a stupid question but I wanted to make sure that I understood how something worked.

If you ran high level outputs from your source to your subwoofer and from your subwoofer out to your left or right channel mains and you set the crossover of the subwoofer to say 80Hz or whatever freq you wanted, would that mean that everything north of whatever you have it set at, would be sent to your mains? Or does it mean that the subwoofer reproduces the freqs south of where you have it set at and still sends the all the freqs to the mains?

Thanks,

Kevin

[Steve Henry]

Re: Subwoofer Question

Kevin,

Not a dumb question at all. But the answer depends on the amp. I've seen some that use the crossover setting for the high pass, some that just pass a full range signal, and then there are some like a few of the Daytons (can't remember which) have a fixed 6db high pass at 125 hz.

[kevin007]

Re: Subwoofer Question

So I wonder if this sub would would send a full range signal or if it would only send the signal north of its setting to the mains?

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=300-629

Kevin

[generic]

Re: Subwoofer Question

Its much harder to control the high signal then a low level signal. Its better to use a crossover in a AVR and use the sub out. I used to use the high input/output on subs and with the one I had a long time ago, the crossover did seem to do something, but it wasn't nearly as controlled as a pre-crossover. Also the volume had very little movement from off to shouting.

I have read that some high end units can do it better, but at that cost, you could find some really good used or refurbished gear and have a 5.1+ AVR at the same time.

[isaeagle4031]

Re: Subwoofer Question

Iirc these use a cap on each output of 100mf. So aroundca 150hz hp

[fastbike1]

Re: Subwoofer Question

The manual tells you that the high level outputs are paralleled to the inputs with no high pass filter.

[kevin007]

Re: Subwoofer Question

I have a good old 5.1 AVR but it does not have a EQ like a newer more modern AVR. I can set the speakers to the small setting and I think that would direct freqs 50Hz and above to the speakers. I would like to upgrade my AVR at some point but it may take a while longer since I have expensive tastes ;).

[kevin007]

Re: Subwoofer Question

Iirc these use a cap on each output of 100mf. So aroundca 150hz hp

What if I wanted to cap it at say 130Hz, what would I have to use?

[isaeagle4031]

Re: Subwoofer Question

As fastbike said on these the high level output simply passes thru, so no filtering.

[kevin007]

Re: Subwoofer Question

What could I do to filter out the lower freqs going to my other speakers. Could I use some sort of simple crossover to filter out everything south of the the crossover setting on the subwoofer? That way they don't have to even try to produce those lower freqs.

[Sydney]

Re: Subwoofer Question

What could I do to filter out the lower freqs going to my other speakers. Could I use some sort of simple crossover to filter out everything south of the the crossover setting on the subwoofer? ...

That would be a High Pass filter.

[billfitzmaurice]

Re: Subwoofer Question

What could I do to filter out the lower freqs going to my other speakers. Could I use some sort of simple crossover to filter out everything south of the the crossover setting on the subwoofer? That way they don't have to even try to produce those lower freqs.

Invest in an inexpensive 5.1 receiver, which will have an electronic crossover built in. You can get one for what it would cost you to make a stereo passive crossover down at 80 to 100Hz where you want it to be. A single cap won't do it.

[kevin007]

Re: Subwoofer Question

How about this: http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=266-462

[bkeane1259]

Re: Subwoofer Question

Invest in an inexpensive 5.1 receiver, which will have an electronic crossover built in. You can get one for what it would cost you to make a stereo passive crossover down at 80 to 100Hz where you want it to be. A single cap won't do it.

A single cap is a cheap starting point. It seems obvious to me that the OP doesn't want to INVEST in new equipment right now. Why....why...is it ok to suggest that people go out and get new equipment when they can make due with what they already own????

[bkeane1259]

Re: Subwoofer Question

How about this: http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=266-462

Yes, it could work.

Two questions:

1) what's the model of your current receiver?
2) what are your main speakers?

I can help you with a passive high pass filter if that's the route you decide to take. It will be less than going out and buying new ones. Let's solve this problem in the Holday spirit, shall we??