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 fastfreight

While some choose to use a high pass filter to the main speakers with sub(s), I think there are many reasons to not.  A lot of popularity with high pass filters comes from AVR surround sound, where there are Dolby settings in the AVR processor for this.  the theory is that it cleans up signal going to small main and certainly small surround speakers.

But for great stereo imaging, and disappearing subs, getting the most bass cues possible to your left and right speakers helps immensely. Your ear can localize tones quite low, so using the low pass filter on the sub prevents you from localizing these sounds. Think plucking of the bass string vs the deepest tone it creates.

As @avanti1960 said, you have respectable bass output with your speakers, use it.  This allows the lowest possible cut off for your sub. 
 

Additionally, adding  any filter, processor etc in line with your speakers potentially inserts distortion.  I work very hard to avoid this.  No room correction, Roon processing, graphic equalizer etc. 

I am not knocking quality high pass filters.  But at best they add complexity.  I have enough wires!

the only reason I would consider not sending full signal to my mains is if the woofers were flopping or distorting.  And most quality speakers with good amplification do not do this.