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Adding a sub woofer?

Running a Planar 6 to Icon Audio Ps1 Mk2 to Quicksilver Mid Monos into Klipsch RP8000F speakers. Want more low end, thinking of adding a sub. The mono blocks don't have a dedicated sub output so I was thinking about something like a PSB 250 which has both pre amp and speaker level inputs with speaker level outputs. A couple of questions.

What are the pros and cons of using the sub's preamp level inputs vs the speaker level inputs in this application?

And more importantly, right now my setup is pretty much tube analogue the whole way (and aside from the soft low end, I absolutely love the overall sound) - but does an inline sub like this do any processing, will it color the mids and highs in some way or is it just a clean pass-through in terms of sending the signal along to the speakers? 

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. 
Ryan
spotconlon

Showing 4 responses by ieales

ieales's avatar
ieales
1,201 posts
 
As an REW alternative, the ML subs have an extra cost accessory called Perfect Bass Kit which includes Anthem Room Correction.

Pretty good results can be obtained with the PBK provided one does a bit of "book learnin'" with a room simulation application and a little common sense.
ieales's avatar
ieales
1,201 posts
 
Optimum solution is to roll the very bottom out of the main amplifiers and feed a low level signal to the sub. This is effectively an increase in main amplifier power if you listen to material with real low end, i.e. deeper than most 40Hz limited material. Sub must either be very efficient or have lots of power for a realistic bottom octave.

The sub must have continuous phase, multiple crossover slopes and polarity inversion along with the normal XO frequency and level controls. 
Martin Logan X and some JL Audio series have all of the above. Without these controls, the optimum position maybe in the middle of the room.

REW and a microphone can ease the integration task, but the learning curve is steep.

see http://www.ielogical.com/Audio/SubTerrBlues.php for perils and solutions for sub integration.

Two subs are optimum for stereo. A swarm gives even level at the expense of coherent phase.

Discount most advice on audio forums as FanBoy prattle. As composer once opined of my system "Every OTHER subwoofer I've ever heard just boomed!"
ieales's avatar
ieales
1,201 posts
 
By what metric do you ascribe orientation preference?

IMO in the last 20 years, REL has degenerated into BuzzWord Bingo marketing hype preying on the uniformed:

" PerfectFilter performs two seemingly disparate qualities; extending the strong, even response of the extreme low end of bass frequencies while simultaneously opening up air and delicacy in the middle and high frequencies of one’s system. Additionally, we applied customized PureTheatre™ filters to allow S/510 to keep up with modern theatre effects without breaking a sweat."

Anything that changes the mid and upper frequencies is a TONE CONTROL!

30Hz is 30Hz REGARDLESS of whether it’s generated by Godzilla stomping or a JAV Recording https://pipe-organ-recordings.com/

Additionally, the S/510 is missing the controls necessary for seamless integration. Pass.
ieales's avatar
ieales
1,201 posts
 
I don't know that I have ever appreciated a change in the midrange of my system with the subs active.
When done properly, i.e. not using idiotic full range pass through the sub but a crossover that removes the bass & possibly some of the mid-bass from the mains, the LF driver has a fair portion of its work removed, allowing it to better handle the upper part of its range. The mains' power amplifier loafs, having gotten an effective 2x+ power increase by removal of the lower registers.

I'll wager dollars to doughnuts that six nines have never heard a properly integrated sub.
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