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Please help a rookie wire his sub

Please forgive my ignorance, but I really need some help. And though the equipment is not as high end as a lot of stuff around here, it's what I could swing at the time (before I learned the secret of the 'Gon classifieds) and is what I have to work with for now.

I have an Arcam AVR200 that I bought primarily for 2-channel listening and, at first, surround sound ht. It powers B&W 602 S3's, bi-wired. I also have the matching sub, but I had simply had it connected to the line level. I am now using the system only for two-channel and do not know how to connect the sub for stereo listening.

I have Kimber 8 PR speaker wire for bi-wiring. Do I just re-insert the terminal connectors on the mains and run one set of wires for each channel to the sub (bi-wire sub and mains so to speak)? Or do I have to buy more cables to run to all six terminals (four per channel on mains and two per on sub)? If I do, is there additional equipment I need to buy - splitters, etc? And, in either case, any recommendations for speaker wire upgrade?

Also, can you offer any advice about adjusting it? The B&W manuals arenot meant for ignoramuses like myself. Thanks a whole lot in advance.
jeromedny

Showing 1 response by elevick

elevick
2,638 posts
 
There are 3 ways to use the sub for stereo.
1-use the sub out on the AVR and set the crossover where you like it. The AVR should have a decent crossover system.
2-If you truly are only using stereo, you just may get better performance by using the crossover in the sub. B&W did design it for their speakers to perform optimally. You still may have to play with the crossover frequency some but that's part of the fun.
3-Some folks will suggest running the pre-outs to the sub and run it independently. I totally disagree (my opinion only). When doing this, you tend to get too much overlap in the upper bass region where the speakers fade out and the sub takes over (60hz to 200hz?). It won't hurt anything to try all 3.
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