Swarming!
Hello mizike, You could also use a miniDSP to connect and control multiple subs: https://www.minidsp.com/applications/home-theater-tuning/tuning-multiple-subs Tim |
bdp24, I wish I had bought that version in the first place. Would have save me a lot of trouble. I had not heard of the swarm idea back then. I have owned these about 4 & 1/2 years. Thanks. Tim, the Mini DSP looks interesting, everything I see shows coming off an AVR LFE out. I use a two channel pre amp. My system is for two channel music only. Do you own this product for further questions on use? |
I initially set my 4 subs up using two Y splitters directly from my preamp. After reading about possible impedance issues and at the suggestion of others, I purchased a used iFi Micro iTube2. I now run the left and right output from my preamp into the iTube2 and have the Y splitters coming out of the output of the iTube 2. Two of the subs are connected by RCA cables and two are connected wirelessly. I didn't hear any noticeable difference after inserting the iTube 2, you might be fine running Y splitters right out of the preamp. I wish I could remember where I read that information as it was explained better than I can why impedance matching with multiple subs could be a problem. It might have been one of these: https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/preamp-connection-to-multiple-powered-subwoofers https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/possible-impedance-matching-issue-with-subwoofer It was relatively inexpensive to add the iTube 2 and I decided "better safe than sorry". This approach allowed me to make individual adjustments to each sub, which was important in my case due to their locations. For example, I have the level down on the one in front which is pretty close to my turntable as well as one that is relatively close to my listening position. I have the crossover levels higher on the front subs than the ones in back. Hopefully someone with better technical knowledge can speak to the issue (or perhaps non-issue) of impedance matching your preamp to multiple subs and the use of a Y splitter. |
@big_greg thank you for your post, you are correct, impedance could be an issue but in my limited knowledge it depends a lot on the preamp you are using and its output impedance, I have an atmasphere pre myself and just out of curiosity I asked Ralph, in my case I'm outputting to my mains amp and to a Jensen balanced to single ended transformer, one channel of the transformer goes to the left amp powering 2 left subs and the right output to another amp powering the right sub. Someone said before the swarming was all mono and that is not correct, it all depends on the design, if you are using the SA1000 Daytons, for the cost and IMO and to avoid clipping 2 is better than one |
