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How to Hook Up Vandersteen 2W Subwoofer

Hi All,

I have a Vandersteen 2W sub that I plan to add to the system listed below--it's a hybrid stereo/HT setup. So far I've been using a powered sub that plugs into the Arcam's sub pre-out RCA jack. The 2W is an entirely different beast though and has the following connections:

regular speaker wire inputs (via banana plugs)
a WX-2 crossover with one set each of RCA ins/outs

The Arcam has tons of connections, including 3 RCAs for subs, but I'm not sure those will be helpful with the 2W. Here's a screenshot of all the Arcam's connections

http://gyazo.com/6cd34a7393d5aea5f20108ca5759cca6

Ideally I'd like to use the 2W sub for stereo (2.1) and HT (5.1) but I realize that may be impossible. At the least I'd like to use it for HT via the Arcam. Here's my setup. I would very much appreciate any specific advice on:

1. how to connect the 2W and its crossover.
2. which wire/interconnects to use

I have read all the manuals and can't make complete sense out of how they apply to my exact setup. THANKS very much!

Vandersteen 2ceSig IIs (mains; bi-amp/bi-wire capable)
Vandersteen VSM-1 (surrounds)
Vandersteen VCC-1 (center)
Vandersteen 2W (the sub I'm adding now)

Cary SLP-05 (for stereo pre): the Cinema In RCAs go to the Pre Outs on the Arcam

Adcom GFA-555 (for stereo amp): the mains go into the inputs on this; the RCA outputs go into the inputs on the SLP-05

Arcam AVR-600 (for HT/surround): powers the VSMs and VCC-1 surrounds (and I think will power the 2W)
meowist

Showing 1 response by wanders

wanders
26 posts
 

I found this thread from 2018 and noticed comments from a  Vandersteen dealer named JohnnyR, AUDIOCONNECTION. I tried to PM, but couldn’t find him as currently active. Anyway, this is the post I would have sent and would invite anyone else to comment and/or provide status of JohnnyR, if know.

I purchased a 2w about six months ago, and, to date, have not been successful in getting it to work. The sub makes a small noise when it is powered on but, after that there is no other output. My equipment includes Vandersteen 2ce Signatures; PS Audio BHK 250; ARC LS-3.

I read everything I could find on hookup, including the recommendation to contact the nearest dealer. The dealer was in San Franciso and suggested calling the factory in Hanford. I did call and spoke with Richard.

What he said was: First, connect the preamp to the amp in the normal manner (from the preamp main outputs to the input sockets on the amp). Someplace between the preamp and the amp, insert a low pass filter (wx-2). Second, from the amplifier, in addition to the regular (+/-) cables from the amp to the speaker, add a second set of cables and connect them to the 2w. After that it should work. (Ironically, this is the schematic diagram on the back of the 2w.)

I purchased and installed a set of Harrison 50hz FMod low pass filers. The 2ce’s contain two sets of input posts – one for low and one for high. The factory recommendation is to bi-wire; which is what I have always done. My amp facilitates bi-wire by having two full sets of connectors. Using 1-to-2 splicers, I connected one of the amp output +/- sets first to the low speaker inputs and got nothing. Then I experimented and connected them to the high output posts and still got nothing. I messed around a bit adjusting levels and sensitivities; the 2ce’s work fine, but the 2w doesn’t seem to work.

Any suggestions would be sincerely appreciated.

Warren Anderson

Chico, CA

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