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What process did you use to integrate multiple subwoofers for 2 channel listening?

Today I will be trying to integrate up to three subs. Two are matching Rythmiks F12SE, and one is a REL R-328. The Rythmiks have a variety of adjustable parameters, including phase, crossover, and gain. There are other switches and passes on the sub, but I'm going to try to keep it basic to begin with. The REL has variable gain and crossover; the phase on REL is either 0 or 180.

I have REW for measurement. I will be buying a few more furniture sliders this morning, on doctors orders. ;-)

QUESTION: If you have multiple subs, by what process did you integrate your subs? One at a time? More? Which adjustments did you try first and in what kinds of increment?

I know that trial, error, measuring, and listening will all take time. Rather than look for a needle in a haystack, I'm curious what sequence or process was most effective for you.

Thank you.
128x128hilde45

Showing 3 responses by mijostyn

mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,223 posts
 
I forgot to mention MiniDSP, maybe the most cost effective solution.
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,223 posts
 
hilde45, if you really want to do this right you buy a digital preamp with digital bass management capability like the DEQX Premate or Anthem STR. You can set your crossover point and slopes independently then set delays so the subs match your main speakers in time and phase. Now you need only passive subs which opens up a whole range of DIY capability. You can actually build a better sub than a commercial unit because problems like shipping weight are no longer an issue. There are great sub drivers available. Otherwise you just bypass all the cheap front end garbage in the commercial subs and use just the amplifier section. But, outboard amps are much better. If electronics are so susceptible to vibration is putting the amp in a vibration machine a good idea? 
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,223 posts
 
Hilde45, you absolutely can use a MiniDSP with powered subs you just bypass the crossover section. Many subs have a switch to do this.
powemi, the vast majority of sources now are digital, analog is the outlier except for a few very stubborn individuals. You just stay in the digital domain until you get to the DACs then amplifiers. If you have a turntable you use a high quality ADC to convert to 24/192 which is entirely invisible. Digital crossovers are far superior to analog ones in every way. The advantages of using digital signal processing and digital crossovers far out weighs and disadvantages. 

The instructions most sub manufacturers invent for integrating subwoofers are laughable. Using a one way crossover and trying to avoid matching speakers in time is...pathetic but otherwise there is no way they can be cost competitive. 
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