2. home-theater
  3. 1346603932

connecting a sub to a 2-channel system

My sister is coming for a visit. she is a budding audiophile and we will be having a listening session in front of my 2-channel rig. She is still very much a bass-head, and I want to hook my HSU VTF MkII sub into my 2-channel system, so I can show her what it sounds like with and without the big-booty-bass. My question is this: how to best hook the sub into the 2-channel system? My current thinking is to use a Y-adapter on a single channel coming out of either the pre or the DAC, then use the Audioquest sub-x cable to the HSU's LFE input. one channel from the DAC would be fixed, using a single channel from the pre would be variable. Thoughts? Thanks in advance. Keep in mind this is not a permanent addition...!
realremo

Showing 7 responses by realremo

realremo OP
460 posts
 
I think that's how I hooked up the HSU to my Yami receiver back in "the day" (2009). The Yamaha had A/B speaker connections tho, the Rotel does not, so I'd have to wire both sets of speaker cable (quad 22l2s and the sub) into the same single pair of amp connections? I think that's possible, was planning on "dual wiring" the quads anyway. I use Audioquest type 4 cable, and there is still room inside the AQ bannana plugs for another twist of copper, but I would have to get longer runs of wire for the sub, which will go in the corner. You don't think the Y adapter trick would work?
realremo OP
460 posts
 
Wow, thanks Al and everyone else...I think I'll twist some low gauge copper wire into the amp's taps and connect to the HSU's speaker inputs. Great info.
realremo OP
460 posts
 
OK, got the sub hooked up. It's making the house shake as I write this. We'll see what my sister thinks, she'll be here Friday.
I used some old speaker wire I bought in the early 90's. Twisted it right into the AQ banana plugs at the amp. It's old, clear-coated, oxidized, flat speaker wire, supposedly 16 gauge. Playing with the phase, crossover and volume now trying to get it integrated. Seems to work fine, but my Quads sound different, I know the impedance of the sub won't affect my amp, but still...I guess the new sound just takes some getting used to!
realremo OP
460 posts
 
Further listening proves that I have to turn the volume up louder with the sub connected to get to the same SPLs I was getting in pure two-channel. I have a decibel meter and mild tinnitis, so I watch this kind of thing pretty carefully.
realremo OP
460 posts
 
I'll try it tomorrow night with the sub turned off, see if that restores the Quads' ruler-flat mid-range. I feel like I am missing some detail in the mids, like the sub is covering it up or something. This is only temporary anyway, I miss the sub in my home theater too much! Funny how I used to crave bass when I first got into this hobby, now I just...don't!
realremo OP
460 posts
 
I think I know what was wrong, crossover was not set correctly, now the sub and speakers overlap pretty seamlessly. Thanks all.
realremo OP
460 posts
 
OK now that my sister has left, her visit ended, I returned the sub to the home theater system for our viewing of "snow white and the huntsman." I listened to my 2-channel system for about 2 hours last night and I think I miss the sub. It added some weight and presence to the music. Another thing: I use a computer desk in my listening room to work from home, I just move it out when people come in for a listen. I had to move it back in last night. There is a large 24" monitor that sits on this desk, and I think it really kills the imaging! Grr!
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