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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
im4umia
11 posts
 
Not having the dual 2wq's was immediately noticeable.  For certain the 3A Sigs go low but not viscerally LOW.
 
The Pre-amp does not have two sets of outputs.  The mono amps each have have two sets of speaker binding posts permitting two speakers to be connected.  This allows both the sub and 3A Sig to receive a direct connection from the amp.  Issue w/this configuration is signal duplication and timing.

I'm thinking the best way to accomplish my goal might be to use a high quality splitter cable.  Using the right channel as an example, connect a splitter cable to the pre-amp outputs.  Then, connect one end of the splitter cable to the subwoofer.  Connect the other end to an M5-HP crossover.  Connect the M5-HP to the mono amp.  Connect the 3A Sig to the mono amp speaker posts.
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
13,160 posts
 
I guess I can relate.... when I go to 7 from Treo I certainly get visceral impact !

Audioquest makes a decent quality splitter
very affordable, you would really want the M5 also
some dealers have them used

Another option is electronic crossover , Music Reference has some old stock Beverige units that sound fantastic , reasonable $$$$

you could also try an ARC balanced line driver


im4umia
11 posts
 
".... when I go to 7 from Treo I certainly get visceral impact ! "
That is one shortcut that will DEFINITELY do the trick!  LOL!!

Thanks for your suggestions 601.  I will research further!

Have a good evening.

Steve
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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