Subwoofer Out VS Subwoofer Crossover

Giving both the amp and the mains a break, not trying to amplify low bass is what you want.

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Stereo Pair of Self Powered Subs, line in/line out (minus low bass back to amp.)

1. self powered

2. front firing

3. no port, if so, front firing. maker should provide an optional port plug, i.e. avoid distribution to corners/rear/side walls.

4. line in, sub's crossover, line out without low bass back to the amp. Amp now does not need/try to make low bass, thus a lower powered amp can be used.

4a. Of course an external crossover can be used to separate the low bass from the amp instead of the sub’s crossover. Personally, todays technology, a sub’s crossover does a great job.

5. Most Advantageous using tube amp as a lower powered amp can be used successfully when not trying to amplify low bass. 

The easiest way to try lower powered tube amps. More tube amp models available, thus: lower competitive prices, lower weight, lower heat, increased location options (consider remote control signals).

6. Single Sub: works to add enough lower bass that the smaller mains do not sound small.

7. Stereo Pair of Subs. Located adjacent to Front Left and Front Right. Thus earlier front firing recommendation.

Very low bass sound waves are wide enough to be experienced as Mono in the listening space. HOWEVER, each/any frequency has overtones, i.e. fundamental 36hz: overtones 72, 144, 288, 560 …: present while progressively reduced in volume. It is these overtones that become narrow enough to become directional, thus Stereo Bass, blended with the front mains.

Stereo Imaging/Location of a Bass Source: Cannon/Jazz/Chamber/Rock …., is definitely achievable. (assuming proper mic locations/recording/mixing, the excellent engineering we seek).

You can still set the sun low pass filter lower than 100 Hz if you want.

You can use your sub with the 701 the same as with your other integrated or you can use the RCA sub connection to the sub setting the crossover point on the sub to best compliment your speakers and run speaker wires to your main speakers. With the RCA approach you would be running the main speakers full range. Using your sub the way you have been you are removing low bass frequency from the mains. I would try it both ways and see which approach best serves.

How low do your main speakers go down to? A sub is for 'sub' low bass that the main speaker can't achieve. If your main speaker has good lower ranger woofers I would let them do what they were designed for. They can add punch and dynamics that you will eliminate if you cross over too high. I run main speakers full range and set the sub crossover to 40hz.  Connection goes from amp high level output to speakers then to sub high level input. This way you pick up the same characteristic tonality and dynamics of the amp.

...I run main speakers full range and set the sub crossover to 40hz. Connection goes from amp high level output to speakers then to sub high level input. This way you pick up the same characteristic tonality and dynamics of the amp.

This is how my sub is set up also....the sub's low pass set at the lowest possible setting, and just enough gain to be barely audible on bass heavy passages.  I don't "feature" the sub.   Every room and situation is unique, so YMMV, but my main speakers go pretty low, and I just use to sub to help augment the output of the bottom octave or so in a large room. I also prefer not to run the mains through the sub’s high pass filter.