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Does a REL subwoofer make the speakers' job easier?

Gentlemen,

Let’s assume we are following REL’s recommendation by connecting the sub to the amp instead of the preamp through the high-level connection. Then which one of these two would be true?

1. The sub would make the speakers’ job easier by not sending the low bass signal (i.e., below the crossover point) to them.

2. The signal sent to the speakers would still include the low bass even when the sub is used. Therefore the speakers would still receive the full range signal.

If (1) is true, how is it accomplished electrically? I am asking this as someone who has little knowledge about how the signal flow between amp and speakers works.

Thanks in advance!

johnson0134

Showing 1 response by audiorusty

audiorusty
267 posts
 

1.  The sub would make the speakers’ job easier by not sending the low bass signal (i.e., below the crossover point) to them.

This can be true as long as the crossover in question has high pass filter capabilities. A feature very few powered subwoofers posses. A couple of exceptions are the JL Audio “E” series and I believe the Audio Kinesis “Swarm” (actually passive subs with an external amp). The other option would be to use an external crossover connected to your preamp outputs, which would split the signal that feeds your main and sub amps. Some examples of these would be the JL Audio CR-1, miniDSP as well as units made by dbx and XTA.

2. The signal sent to the speakers would still include the low bass even when the sub is used. Therefore the speakers would still receive the full range signal.

This is true with the connection method that you present.

Option 1 makes the job of your main speakers easier, option 2 does not.

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