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Not in love with my system yet. Help!

I've upgraded my system quite a bit over the last couple of months and I received the components separately due to shipping delays. I got my Parasound Integrated first and all hooked up. It made quite an improvement. I received my B&W 606 S2's a week later. Happy but knew the arrival of the subwoofers I bought would really help make them shine. I received the first of 2 REL t7i subs and hooked it up as directed and the improvement in sound was astounding so I was ecstatic about the thought of getting the second which was a day later. That's where I ran into issues. I have a Denon receiver which handles the HT side of things. My mains are run through the integrated of course and the only source directly connected to the integrated is a Bluesound Node. I have been unable to integrate the subs for music only when I try with both. I can run Audysey and it did an amazing job for my HT but that doesn't do a thing for me as far as stereo. I have bought a UMIK1 and downloaded REW but know they aren't going to give me any way to correct anything. All of my interconnects are unbalanced (RCA) so not sure which unit I should get to help me along. I have looked into miniDSP but think it only has balanced in and outs. I'd like to keep cost as low as possible as wife is on warpath. What unit do I need to get? I get pretty lost in the forums sometimes sorting everything out so forgive me please for asking to shorten my time to get to my goal and going over things that have probably been addressed before. Much thanks!
dadork

Showing 4 responses by reubent

reubent
7,072 posts
 
@dadork  - I did not have any issues when I set up a couple of different combo HT/2-channel systems years ago. I used an HT receiver and an integrated amp, in combo, just as you are trying to do. However, I was only using one sub, different model sub, and different room, of course.

My only suggestion is to forget completely about the HT side, until you have the subs sounding the way you want for 2-channel listening from your integrated amp. Once everything is good for 2-channel listening, move on the adding the .1LFE for HT, and then run your setup again.

For the 2-channel setup, you only have sub volume, crossover point, phase and location. I'm not an expert on sub placement or setup, so you might want to eliminate some confusion and start a new thread asking how to find the best setup for 2 subs in a 2-channel audio system. Don't mention anything about the added HT portion, as it will likely confuse some/many potential posters and send the thread down a rat-hole.

Again, once you have the 2-channel music system to your liking, you should just be able to run the setup routine on your HT receiver and all should be good.

Good Luck and Happy New Year.
reubent
7,072 posts
 
@dadork 

I don't have your exact setup, but I have had combo HT/2-channel systems set up in the past. I used an HT receiver for video switching, HT source processing, etc., and had my surround and center speakers powered by the HT receiver. This was connected to my 2-channel system via L&R pre-outs, into my integrated amp, which powered the front L&R speakers via an HT bypass on the integrated amp. Sound like exactly what you have.

Just remember, your 2-channel rig is completely independent of your HT system. The HT system does not even need to be turned on to enjoy 2-channel music played via your BlueSound Node 2 (or any other source connected directly yo your integrated amp). Get the 2-channel sound/config optimized first if 2-channel sound quality is a priority.

Once you have the 2-channel rig optimized, all you need to do is connect the 2 LFE pre-outs from the HT receiver into the each of the two Subs. Per REL, you can have LFE and either the lower level RCA input, or the Neutrik connection working at the same time. After you have everything connected, run the receiver's setup routine. It will know that you have the subs connected via the LFE ports. And it should see your L&R mains as "large" since they have the subs connected to fill in the bottom end, essentially making them "large" full range speakers. And if necessary, set the L&R speakers to large in your setup.

Lastly, remember, if you have the subs connected to the integrated amp per the Neutrik connections, as per RELS recommendation you should have good full range sound when playing only 2-channel audio (independent of the HT receiver). And when playing HT, you should have full range sound from the front L&R speakers (same as when playing 2-channel only) and you should also get the LFE effects coded to go to the LFE output of the HT receiver via it's digital audio processing.

It should all work just fine, after you get it set up correctly.
reubent
7,072 posts
 
@dadork 

If the goal is to have the best possible 2-channel sound (first), then only focus on the 2-channel rig to start. Per REL, their recommendation is to use the Neutrik connection and dial in the subs. Once you've done this, ALSO connect the .1 LFE connection and run your HT receivers setup routine (Audyssey?). Audyssey should now detect that you have a sub connected to the LFE output(s). It should also detect/set the main L&R front speaker as "large" singe they have a high-level sub connected to them to provide bottom end. If needed, set the front L&R speakers as "large" if you have the subs connected via the Neutik cable.

Does your HT receiver have just one, or two .1 LFE sub outputs?
reubent
7,072 posts
 
@dadork  - I think some of the folks that have replied don't understand your setup. I may be one of them! :~) 

Can you please explain how you have this hooked up? Based on your original post, I think I know what you are trying to do. Here's my understanding of what you have and what you've done.

You essentially have 2 systems in the room: an HT System and a 2-channel music system. The systems are combined in that you have L&R front pre-amp out connections from your HT receiver system into your 2-channel integrated amp and the L&R front speakers for your HT system are powered by the integrated amp by using the HT bypass on the integrated amp. Is this correct?

So, you added the first sub to the HT system via the LFE output from the HT receiver. Correct? You ran Audyssey and the HT system now sounds great with the one sub connected. Correct?

Where you are running into issues is with getting one, or both subs also working for 2-channel music playback from you integrated amp.

Please reply and let me (us) know and make any corrections to my description about how you have your system set up and what you are trying to accomplish. I may have a recommendation or two depending on your reply.

And if I completely misunderstood how you have things connected, my apologies....
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