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Two subwoofers for two channel music listening

Hi all , 
How do you hook up two active subwoofers? I have two SVS 1000 series subwoofers with both high level (speaker) and line level (RCA) ins.

Method one - Lets say the subs have high/speaker level inputs. So do you hook up the left sub from the left amplifier out and similarly right speaker out from the amp to right sub high level in? This set up is just like the stereo pair of speakers.

Method two - The alternate is from a preamp hook up the RCA line in of one subwoofer then daisy chain i.e. RCA out from the first sub to the RCA in of the second subwoofer. Not using a Y splitter from the preamp. Trying to use both red and white RCA from preamp to red and white RCA in of the first sub.

Which method do you prefer? Any benefit or disadvantage of one over the other? Thanks for your comments and inputs.
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Showing 4 responses by bkeske

bkeske's avatar
bkeske
5,596 posts
 
@georgehifi 

I do very similar, except I connect both my subwoofers directly from the amp to my subs via the high level speaker inputs, in stereo. Both my subs sit behind my Vandersteen’s. Yes, I’m aware that you don’t get a true stereo sub effect at those db levels, but it works to simply augment the Vandy’s and supply a bit more ‘grunt’. Then, obviously, set the crossover and gain at the subs so that they are integrated sound-wise and not noticeable as separate subs. Interestingly, in my room, the gain in one side is higher than the other for the integration, simply because of the room loading. I was able to adjust for that using Vandertones and a db meter at each frequency.

Works for me. I got rid if the whole LFE connections quite a long time ago.
bkeske's avatar
bkeske
5,596 posts
 
@georgehifi

Do those adapters both transfer the signal into the amp, while also feeding out to the sub? For  some reason, I thought they only went to the input path. Or, are you saying use the spitter at the pre via the bi-pass connections?

If so, $10 and an additional cable (have one long length I am not using) could be a consideration.
bkeske's avatar
bkeske
5,596 posts
 
@georgehifi 

Unfortunately, my vintage Belles 400A amp has no line outs.
bkeske's avatar
bkeske
5,596 posts
 
@georgehifi

Yes, I could, for 2 channel. But I then lose my subs when in HT mode via my Parasound ZPre3 pass-through. I can double check, but although that pre has a sub line-out, it does not transmit the sub signal while using pass-through. Which means I would have to use the AV receiver line-outs with a splitter.

The RCA adapter might work though.

Seriously, not sure it is worth the hassle, but could consider it.


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