Setting up dual subwoofers to a two channel amp.

Tjkurita,

Go fourth and add deep bass!

Post again after set up and let us know how it worked out.

If I understand what you are asking. The subs do not need both channels. Send the left channel to the left sub and the right channel to the right sub. If each sub needs both inputs to have signal than use a Y cord at the input (its been a long time since I have seen a sub that needs both inputs with signal.)

Use the corresponding high freq output to continue to the amp for that channel.

As far as sound quality I can only speak to my results with my 300b based SET amp. So far I have not been able to find a crossover that is step back when feeding my 300b. I've tried the internal crossover of the sub, which is very poor sound quality. A seperate discrete SS unit, definitley better but than it sounds like a good SS amp instead of a SET amp. Lastly an integrated circuit based unit, which is suprisingly a little better then the discrete SS unit but still leaves me without the midrange magic and top to bottom cohesiveness of the SET amp.

Ofcourse YMMV.

I'm currently trying to find a SET based tube crossover that will get the job done in my system.

We need to clarify. When you say high level do you mean speaker level or preamp level?

From your last post it sounds like you are considering running the speaker hook ups on the amp to the "speaker level inputs" on the sub and then from that spot continuing on to the speaker. If so than the load presented to the amp is negligibly different as the "speaker level in" on the sub does not really load the amp per se.

If my description of your intended hook up is correct than what you will be doing is running your main speakers full range and augmenting the bass with your subs.

Is that your intention? If so I have an alternate hook up that is easier. Basically you use your existing speaker wire as you have it now and add a smaller gauge wire (as it will not be carrying any current) from the speaker hook ups on the amp going to the "speaker level in" on the back of the subs.

BTW, I am currently running my main speakers and SET full range and using my subs to augment everything below 80hz.
The only reason I am trying to add an electronic crossover is so that my SET does not have to work as hard when playing loud.

HTH

"Does this method we are talking about have a bad effect on the full range sound?"

IMO, No if you can get it set up properly. Possible issues that may come up are; any overlap of the main speakers and subs as well as phase issues at the crossover point.

"Also, does adding a sub in the manner we are describing make the main amp work harder than if there were no subs at all?"

No. What I was talking about is in a true biamp set up (active crossover before the amps and sub's) I'd be removing the deep bass, below the crossover point, from the main amps. Simply put this would remove some of the demands on the amp since the bass requires much more power than the mids and highs do. My main speakers would also perform better as they would no longer be asked to do the deep bass.
The system would be able to play louder with less distortion. However in my case the quality of the mids and highs are negatively impacted by all of the active crossovers that I have tried so far. So I am running the SET amp and main speakers full range and using subs to augment the bass the main speakers can't do. After much "dialing in" the set up I am very happy.

Kelvinswy's hook up and mine are very similar. IMO, Going line level (main output on the preamp)instead of speaker level is better and will give you the added flexibility needed to match the horns to the subs.

I did not mention it earlier as you do not show that preamp in your "system".