Using Two Subwoofers with Two 2-Channel Amplifiers.


I am considering using two Subwoofers with two 2-channel Amplifiers using the speaker level inputs and outputs on the Subwoofers.  Each Amplifier is currently connected to identical pairs of Speakers.  Is it better to connect so that there is a dedicated Subwoofer for each channel (Left channels of both Amplifiers wired "through" one Subwoofer, and both right channels through the other), or dedicate each Subwoofer to an Amplifier so that L/R channels of each Amplifier go to a Subwoofer?

This is for a vintage system that I am using for music only.  I'd be happy to supply equipment details if that matters.  Thanks!
audiostick

Showing 2 responses by wolf_garcia

I have both subs (they're different models from the same era, a Q150e and a Q108II...10" front firing and 8" down firing respectively) taking both channels just like when I used only one sub (which worked fine for years). I am fine with this, and the bass is coherent and stereo (except the low bass which isn't but seems like it is for the reasons previously described). Besides, one of the RELs sometimes is used in a nearby window to add bass to the smallish monitors I use for outdoor deck speakers (also in the windows for that purpose), and if it was hooked up to only one channel it wouldn't work like I prefer. I play bass, I'm a sound engineer, and the benefit of 2 subs taking all the low bass equally does have nice results overall as sort of a "mini storm" rig.
I use 2 REL subs but they're both mono as the aural "ques" for bass position in the soundstage, in either classical or jazz or anything else, is unaffected in my system...the plus is since the subs are doing the same thing they act as moderators for each other by canceling standing waves, which would not happen if only one sub was producing it's stereo signal without the other sub...the subs are set at a low enough frequency (matching where the mains roll off) that stereo imaging is still spot on.