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Bass management--high/low pass filtering

A few days ago I posted to this forum seeking recommendations for a new subwoofer, and that discussion has turned out to be very enlightening, offering advice about subs and integrating them into my system. One reply mentioned the advantages of bass management for my main speakers (Ryan R-610 bookshelf speakers), but rather than sidetrack that discussion I thought I'd ask this separately:

It was suggested that I try cutting off the frequency response of the Ryans at 60 or 80Hz and letting the sub take over from there, thus relieving the mid/bass woofers of that substantial burden. On paper, this seems like a promising avenue to pursue, so I'm wondering if anybody has tried this and if there is a hardware device that can accomplish it. I'm certainly not an electrical engineer--far from it--so trying to design and build one is way beyond me. 

My integrated amp is a Modwright KWI200 and my previous sub (which is now dead and not repairable) was connected via speakon (speaker level) cable, though the Modwright does have a pre-out that can also be used to connect to a sub.

While pretty much all active subwoofers have adjustable low-pass filters, it appears that this would entail a high-pass filter somewhere in the chain. Is this something I can buy as an add-on? Couldn't find anything online, so I'm hoping that somebody may have some suggestions. Thanks.

cooper52

Showing 1 response by dynamiclinearity

dynamiclinearity
310 posts
 

First of all deep bass is totally non directional. I've seen audiophiles stand right next to a sub crossed at 65 Hz and tell the demonstrator the sub wasn't working. The demonstrator had to take the grill off the sub and have the listener put his hand on the sub and it was roaring away. All 'sub' directionality comes from harmonics.

Secondly adding a high pass takes a huge load off the woofers of the main speakers and if done properly the frequencies above the high pass become more open and defined and dynamic. I know. I had stand mount SEAS Froy 3 speakers to which I added big woofers crossed with 4th order Linkwitz/Reily high and low pass filters at 85 Hz and it only took seconds to hear the improvement in the sound. The but is a simple generic high pass may not work. It may take a specialized high pass to work with your mains. The advantage of rolling in a sub where the mains roll off is the high pass is no longer a problem. But you're only getting half the advantages of adding subs.

 

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