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AUDIO FORUMS >> General Discussion and Support >> Definitive subwoofer connection strategy?
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Message started by TomFrei on 01/01/18 at 17:11:00

Title: Definitive subwoofer connection strategy?
Post by TomFrei on 01/01/18 at 17:11:00

I think there are 3 subwoofer connection strategies:
1) RCA from pre-amp to subwoofer
2) Hi-level speaker output from power amp to hi-level inputs on subwoofer; and then connect subwoofer outputs to speakers.
3) A strategy recommended by Blumenstein audio: hi-level speaker outputs from power amp to speakers, and then piggyback from the speakers to the hi-level speaker inputs on the subwoofer(s).

I think the third option argues that this approach allows the main speakers to get all the "benefit" from the power amp without possible adulteration from the subwoofer crossover. With the understanding that my decware set amp is very revealing, I think I lean toward this 3rd option. It sounds good to me anyway, but I'm wondering what this forum knows about this. Any thoughts? It would be neat to see what Steve D. thinks.

Title: Re: Definitive subwoofer connection strategy?
Post by Donnie on 01/01/18 at 17:48:13

The 3rd option is your best one. You will get a little of your tube goodness!
I've been doing it that way for years, works great.

Title: Re: Definitive subwoofer connection strategy?
Post by hdrider on 01/01/18 at 18:15:36

TomFrei- I would agree with Donnie about # 3 being the best option (imho). When I set up our listening room for the Decware/Omega system, the speaker wire I pulled is an AQ four conductor cable, so I have all four conductors connected at our Rachael (per channel) and then one pair to the left speaker and the other pair to the left high level input on the subwoofer and then same for the right channel. Amp straight to speaker and straight to sub. I did play with the stereo RCA out of the Rachael to the RCA in on the sub, but felt the high level was best. Let us know how it pans out for you and happy listening, Chris.

Title: Re: Definitive subwoofer connection strategy?
Post by TomFrei on 01/02/18 at 13:35:23

Thanks for all the feedback. What you say more or less confirmed my intuition, but it is nice to benefit from your experiences. Thanks again.

Title: Re: Definitive subwoofer connection strategy?
Post by Lin on 01/02/18 at 20:54:15

I like 4) as mentioned by hdrider; speaker wire from main amp to speakers and speaker wire from main amp to sub amp.

Title: Re: Definitive subwoofer connection strategy?
Post by TomFrei on 01/04/18 at 22:15:09

Maybe this is more an academic question, but I wonder what the difference is (in terms of circuit dynamics) between 1) running speaker wire from power amp to speaker and then piggy-backing from there to the subwoofer; and 2) running speaker wire from power amp to speaker, and then running a 2nd speaker wire from power amp to subwoofer? Does the power amp "see" these two circuits differently?

Title: Re: Definitive subwoofer connection strategy?
Post by Lin on 01/05/18 at 01:26:59

No, but you can run different wire.

Title: Re: Definitive subwoofer connection strategy?
Post by Lonely Raven on 01/05/18 at 14:25:03

Agreed, both options would be parallel wiring - I don't think either changes impedance or anything.