Sub-woofer and eq advice needed

[amdan]

I would like to add a sub-woofer to my system. I have a pair of 802N speakers driven by a Bryston 14B ST. My preamp is a Supratek Sauvignon. This is a music only system.
I read Kal's advice in another post as follows:

3. Subwoofer. This, indeed, has the potential to give you more and more extended bass even with the 800s. I would suggest a large(!) sub with good digital EQ built in or added on in the form of the AntiMode 8033 or the new SVS sub EQ. Neither of those will affect the main channels at all.

I have several questions as follows:

1. I have heard that it is best to connect the sub using speaker cables to the power amplifier so that it integrates better with the main speakers. Is this true? If so, I won't be able to use the SVS sub EQ (which looks like a good product).

2. Assuming the above is untrue, I still can't use the SVS sub EQ because it only has RCA inputs. I have connected my preamp to my power amp using XLR cables. I would like to maintain this. However, it means that I have to use XLR outputs of the preamp for the subwoofer. Is there an alternative product which will accept XLR cables or speaker outputs?

3. I gather from the SVS website that it performs room correction for the sub. It seems to me that the better solution would be to get a unit that would perform room correction for the main speakers and the sub as a whole so that it eliminates any integration issues. Is this reasonable. Is there a product that does this?

Thanks.

[Kal Rubinson]

1. I have heard that it is best to connect the sub using speaker cables to the power amplifier so that it integrates better with the main speakers. Is this true? If so, I won't be able to use the SVS sub EQ (which looks like a good product).

Only REL is an adamant advocate of this. Every one else acknowledges the advantages of using a line-level connection with a powered sub. Even REL offers it as an option these days.

2. Assuming the above is untrue, I still can't use the SVS sub EQ because it only has RCA inputs. I have connected my preamp to my power amp using XLR cables. I would like to maintain this. However, it means that I have to use XLR outputs of the preamp for the subwoofer. Is there an alternative product which will accept XLR cables or speaker outputs?

You can use the XLRs to a Y-connector and an XLR-to-RCA adapter on the subwoofer link.

3. I gather from the SVS website that it performs room correction for the sub. It seems to me that the better solution would be to get a unit that would perform room correction for the main speakers and the sub as a whole so that it eliminates any integration issues. Is this reasonable. Is there a product that does this?

Sure. The 8channel NeptuneEQ will do this and it has both XLR and RCA connections. Review currently in press. OTOH, the most significant advantage of roomEQ is for the bass, so you can use the SVS or the AntiMode for your sub without a problem.

Kal

[amdan]

Thanks Kal. Another couple of questions:

1. The use of the Y connector and XLR to RCA adapter: Is this not going to deteriorate the signal? Do you have a recommendation for these items?

2. I looked up the NeptuneEQ. It is very expensive! What do you think of the Velodyne SMS 1 as an alternative?

[Kal Rubinson]

Thanks Kal. Another couple of questions:

1. The use of the Y connector and XLR to RCA adapter: Is this not going to deteriorate the signal? Do you have a recommendation for these items?

Any reputable mfr's adapter will be fine. I would go with a Y cable and adapter from the mfr of your current cables. Perhaps they could make a combination Ycable+adapter for you.

2. I looked up the NeptuneEQ. It is very expensive! What do you think of the Velodyne SMS 1 as an alternative?

It is OK but it is for the sub only. It is also a somewhat less potent EQ than the AntiMode or the SVS unless you use a good external measurement package with it. Those include RoomEQ Wizard and XTZ.

Kal

[amdan]

Thanks for the quick reply.

I use Pure Note cables. I was hoping that I wouldn't need to spend a lot of money on the sub's interconnects.

The SMS-1 has 'EQ audio outputs' according to the manual. This can be used to send its test tones to the preamplifier. I presume that equalisation can then be done on the combined main speakers and sub-woofer. I also like the SMS-1 because it does allow manual intervention. I will look into the external measurement gear in your post.

[Kal Rubinson]

Thanks for the quick reply.

I use Pure Note cables. I was hoping that I wouldn't need to spend a lot of money on the sub's interconnects.

You can. I recommend Monoprice and MarkerTek but many people seem averse to using generic cables/adapters.

The SMS-1 has 'EQ audio outputs' according to the manual. This can be used to send its test tones to the preamplifier. I presume that equalisation can then be done on the combined main speakers and sub-woofer. I also like the SMS-1 because it does allow manual intervention. I will look into the external measurement gear in your post.

First, the EQ is applied only to the sub. Second, the SMS-1 has no facilities for measuring time decay and that is essential for the correction of room modes. That's why an external measurement system is necessary, imho, to get the best out of the SMS-1.

Kal