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Another Subwoofer Cable Topic

Sorry folks, I cannot find a reasonable answer to this quandary and not many people are willing to answer it properly.

Powered subwoofers seem to enjoy having a left and right RCA input, despite the driver being 100% mono. Practically all manuals say the same thing, choose one of the RCA inputs (usually Right) and everything will be fine.  I have not found this to be true.

Somewhere, in the annals of the internet(s) I had found an audio discussion where someone explained it. On a basic level, the mono driver requires 2 incoming volts to properly drive. One single RCA output delivers 1 volt of signal. Using that one input will cause the driver to activate and make bass, this is true.  But using both RCA inputs doubles the voltage and the driver functions much better.

In my floor standing system I have two subwoofers that both use NHT monoblock amps. They both have left/right input RCAs. When I connected a SINGLE connection to the block, I had to crank the volume to the maximum to get any reasonable bass out of the subwoofers.  At that time I bought a splitter so that the single LFE out on the receiver (I have left and right LFE outputs, hence two subs) could split into two to cover both left/right inputs and suddenly there was more bass than could possibly be endured and I had to crank the volume way down. So, that seems to prove the theory that using one single RCA input is not correct.

So, on to my quandary.

In my office reference system I have a powered sub that currently connects via two RCA.  The sound quality is pleasant and enjoyable. I wouldn't mind tightening the bass down a bit more. To that end I want to switch to actual Subwoofer cables, that have been specifically tuned to amplify bass. The question is, should I buy two subwoofer cables or buy one cable and two splitters?  Yes, buying two cables is more expensive.  However, ANYTIME you split a signal, there *WILL* be signal quality loss.  That's just the way it is. The more point to point the connection is, the better the signal flow. So...has anyone actually tested whether two sub cables works better or the same as a single sub cable split?

 

128x128guakus
fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,502 posts
 

Sub cables do not matter (if not electrically compromised.) Unless you like "investing" money.

I just run decent stereo patch all the way

 

 

carlsbad's avatar
carlsbad
1,551 posts
 

A subwoofer amplifies the signal that is put into it.  If the low frequencies on both channels are the same, there is no reason the let the sub see both channels.  It will have the same output no matter which channel is put into it.

Very rarely, the sub frequency tracks for left and right may be different and then it is good to have both (if you have one sub).  But to tell the truth, I've never heard a song when I had one channel hooked to the sub and said "oops, the sub missed that".

I think the issues you are trying to solve have nothing to do with cables.

Jerry

oldhvymec
5,101 posts
 

There is a left and right bass signal. Period. If you don't use the LFE you won't get the full signal by using only one RCA. That is the same thing a LOT of people can't seem to understand. The signal is NOT MONO the results is MONO in nature because it's omni present below 60-80hz. The Complete signal from the source usually has even more than just a left, and right track they can have a signal that is surmised (3rd channel not TRACK) also. Guys that play BASS will chime in and tell you they don't record MONO bass tracks for playback. 

DBA misinformation is the problem.. Just because is sounds better doesn't mean it's playing the whole bass track especially if only the left or right signal was used.

Yes if the signal being sent to the plate amps is through junk RCAs that can cause a signal loss too and you will have to crank it to get any bass out of it or increase the signal. Either way more is better.

Better BASS resulted from a better signal to the sub plate amps.

Another thing LFE bass is modified. It has a step baffle to increase the signal, that is what you experienced. not all LFE signals are the same and some can be modified vs onboard options..

guakus's avatar
guakus OP
351 posts
 

@carlsbad 

I think you misunderstood.  I am not trying to take one bass signal and split it into two.

The engineer who makes subwoofers see fit to install a Left and Right RCA input.  Why, if the driver is mono? There is no stereo input into the driver.  It's a positive/negative wire.

Again, I have connected a single RCA to just ONE RCA input and got terrible bass output, until I used a splitter to attach to BOTH RCA inputs in the AMP that powers a single subwoofer.

My question is really why does that happen and why do manuals always say to use one when clearly that isn't the best setup for performance.

On my other system, the receiver has a LEFT LFE and a RIGHT LFE mono output.  When dealing with Surround Sound, you can program a separate left and right bass response.

guakus's avatar
guakus OP
351 posts
 

@oldhvymec 

Again, I clearly confused folks or folks aren't reading my entire post.

My questions has nothing to do with LFE.  It was mentioned because I have two different setups and each is connected differently.

One powered sub has two RCA inputs.  White/Red - Left/Right. Manual says, connect only to ONE INPUT, usually the Right/Red. I have discovered this to be wrong and do not understand why they continue with that instruction when you get more volume in your bass by choosing to connect to both RCA inputs.

My question is whether to use single point-to-point connections or use splitters.

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