@peter_s As I mentioned before, if one of your cables is wired out of phase with the other then the sub amp will only play out of phase bass information. IOW it would sound weak. So check your interconnect cables to see if they are both wired correctly- pin 1 to pin1, pin 2 to pin 2 and pin 3 to pin 3.
Class D Amplifier(s) for SWARM Subwoofer System
Hi All. I've got a SWARM subwoofer system (4 8ohm passive subs powered by two Class A/B Dayton Audio sub amps, each amp powering a pair in series). I've recently purchased a JL Audio CR-1 crossover, which is a true swiss army knife for integrating satellites and subs. I am considering using the settings on the CR-1 to control the subs and using Class D amplification for the subwoofers. I'm looking for recommendations and advice on questions such as:
1) Would it be better to wire two subs in series (effective impedance 4 ohms) and drive with a single Class D channel or using four separate Class D channels and powering each sub individually?
2) The passive subs themselves do not seem to be all that efficient. So how much power should I shoot for? (Sorry, I don't have a spec)
3) Looking for suggestions on manufactured products. I can envision anything from a four-channel design, two stereo amps.... OR if I keep the subs in series - a single stereo amp or two monoblocks. I know that I can get a custom 4-channel amp from D-sonic (for instance) - but I'm not up on other reasonably priced options.
4) Am I better off building my own? It seems like hypex is as simple as buying the components and stuffing them in a case. (But I'm pretty busy these days, so......)
BTW - I don't want to go wild spending $$$ on subwoofer amps! Preferably I'd like to keep the expense b/t $1k and $3k.
Thanks in advance for helpful thoughts.
Showing 4 responses by atmasphere
Jensen ISO-MAX PC-2XR, which converts the balanced to SE signal (and +4 to -10 db conversion). I am guessing that Ralph is doing the same, but require confirmation. @peter_s I run the same configuration and it works fine. You might test your balanced input cables for continuity and also that they are wired exactly the same. If they are out of phase you would get really low output since all that would pass would be out of phase bass information. |
@peter_s I'm puzzled why the sub output is so low. My main speakers are 98dB and the Daytons with the Swarms have no troubles keeping up. With the limited power you have with the VAC and the 87dB of your speakers, this should be a walk in the park for the subs and amps. So I think you have a setup problem or an outright malfunction. BTW I don't think the Dayton puts the subs in series- they are parallel for a load of 4 Ohms. I use a set of Jensen subwoofer transformers to convert from the balanced output of my preamp to the single-ended input of the sub amp. Works a treat. |
@peter_s Why not get the sub amp that Duke recommends? It works quite well (I use one in my system at home) and has the crossover built in and its far less money. |