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Subwoofers and Crossovers.

My system is Cary DMS-550 / Luxman L-507uxii / Spendor D7.2

 

After researching I decided to add an active crossover and two stereo subs to the system.

 

  1. I am looking at JL Audio CR-1 as the crossover.  This will take the pre-out from the Luxman and feed mains-in and setup the Luxman as separates. Is there anything else that I should look at?  I am only looking at analog solutions.
  2. After looking a REL, Rythmic, SVS, Martin Logan and JL, I am leaning towards getting two JL Dominion D110s.  Would these subs be sufficient or should I be getting JL E110s? I won’t be using the internal crossovers, so primary concern is fidelity.
  3. If I am unable to treat the room properly, I may be introducing a DSP solution just for the subwoofers.

 

I am looking for some advice from people who have walked this path before me on both the active crossover and the quality of D110s. 

I would appreciate any advice on this process of integrating subwoofers into a two channel audio system.

dimbhaka
mike_in_nc
1,124 posts
 

If you are looking at DSP solutions, many of them also have digital crossovers for subs and then the extra channels of DAC that that requires. So going that way, you could avoid the considerable cost of the CR-1.

Examples are the Anthem STR Preamp, miniDSP SHD, and DSpeaker X4. I'm using the Anthem to drive 4 subs now, with very nice results.

I have no doubt the JL is excellent (a friend who could buy anything uses it).

A lot depends on whether you want to maintain an all-analog path or not.

So I'm not recommending any specific gear, just that you consider your objectives and what kind of signal path would let you get there within your budget and with the kind of sound you enjoy. Luxman and Spendor make a nice system!

dimbhaka OP
30 posts
 

@yogiboy I am sure, just adding the D110s will help, but one of the main reason I looking to this is to unload the bass frequencies from the mains.

@mike_in_nc , I really like the sound of Cary DMS-550 and the Luxman L-507uxii and am unwilling to insert a digital processor after the Luxman pre. Don't get me wrong, if I were to setup a new system from scratch, I will definitely get a Pre/DSP and a power amp.

I will probably introduce a DSP just for the subs though.

artemus_5's avatar
artemus_5
1,914 posts
 

@dimbhaka

I am curious as to why you want to install a more complicated system which lengthens the signal path with a separate crossover unitand extra IC's IOW why not use the internal crossover in the Rel (or whatever sub you choose? Not meant to be snarky or insulting. I just do not understand your decision.

kenjit
1,771 posts
 

@artemus_5  theres no highpass on most subs

dimbhaka OP
30 posts
 

@artemus_5 , I did think of getting two E110s instead of two D110s + CR-1. The E110 options is much cheaper. I might be completely wrong in this, but I preferred the second option thinking that the crossover in CR-1 will be much better and I didn't want to run long line level connection to and from the subs.

Thanks for nudging me to rethink that option. 

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