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Help me buy my first real subwoofer (please)!

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Howard

Lifer
Oct 14, 1999
47,982
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Oh yeah, how do i know if i can connect to an LFE channel with my receiver? I think i have one plug going from the socket in the wall to the sub, and another RCA cable or something going from the sub to the receiver.
That's correct.

Consult the manual for your receiver. It'll tell you where the LFE output is.
 

Aikouka

Lifer
Nov 27, 2001
30,383
912
126
Oh yeah, how do i know if i can connect to an LFE channel with my receiver? I think i have one plug going from the socket in the wall to the sub, and another RCA cable or something going from the sub to the receiver.

That RCA cable sounds like a pre-amp sub out, which is what you want.
 

ManBearPig

Diamond Member
Sep 5, 2000
9,173
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It just says "pre out subwoofer."

I assume thats the LFE channel because in the manual (and ive used it on the actual receiver) it says theres an option to change LPF-LFE and "The LPF only applies to sources that use the LFE channel." So i assume thats it.
 

ManBearPig

Diamond Member
Sep 5, 2000
9,173
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So im probably gonna order this soon. I really did not think i would be spending near $900+ in a few weeks. Fuck. Im not even done either...but the other stuff can wait.

Oh yeah, anyone know where i can get a decent sub using a payment plan? If i could, that would be awesome, but none of the ID use payment plans.
 

ManBearPig

Diamond Member
Sep 5, 2000
9,173
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I mean, i have enough credit, i just dont wanna make it hard or impossible to pay since ive never been late. I like payment plans since i could pay a little each month for a few month with nothing to worry about unless im late.
 

ManBearPig

Diamond Member
Sep 5, 2000
9,173
6
81
I don't think there's anything you could use that wouldn't accumulate interest.

Eh, newegg has BillMeLater which i like, best buy has their own credit card i can get, etc which offer 0% APR for a few months, or whatever the current promotion states. I'm looking more for a billmelater type thing, but wouldnt mind a new CC since ive only got one.
 

sdifox

No Lifer
Sep 30, 2005
100,342
17,913
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I mean, i have enough credit, i just dont wanna make it hard or impossible to pay since ive never been late. I like payment plans since i could pay a little each month for a few month with nothing to worry about unless im late.

err, no, if you have to put it on cc and not pay it off in full at the end of the grace period, don't buy stuff.

I waited 2 years to get my HT since I had to accumulate disposable income. But I did drop 12k at one time :p
 
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ManBearPig

Diamond Member
Sep 5, 2000
9,173
6
81
err, no, if you have to put it on cc and not pay it off in full, don't buy stuff.

haha, obviously (i've never had a late payment or not paid in full, remember?). I could just get something even nicer that way or have some extra breathing room is all. it really wouldnt even be a big deal if i didnt just buy the speakers and wasnt impatient. :\
 

ManBearPig

Diamond Member
Sep 5, 2000
9,173
6
81
So i should definitely improve from a better sub right? (going from the HTiaB sub to the A2-300)

Even if i DONT like to turn my volume up too high, i will still benefit from more accurate bass and deeper bass, correct?
 

ManBearPig

Diamond Member
Sep 5, 2000
9,173
6
81
Well, i think i shall order today. The wait is 2-3 weeks which kind of sucks balls, but thats cool i guess.
 

ManBearPig

Diamond Member
Sep 5, 2000
9,173
6
81
Any tips on calibrating my sub? I have Audyssey2EQ. What position should i put the knob at (12 o clock?)? Do I have to re-run Audyssey when switching out subs?
 
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ManBearPig

Diamond Member
Sep 5, 2000
9,173
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What for?

Read this at a different forum:

These are a few advantages (some real and some claimed) to using a Y adapter:

  • If you leave one of the RCA inputs open, dirt may get in there.
  • Using a Y adapter may add a few dbs to the subwoofers's output.
  • Some claim that the subwoofer works better at lower levels with the Y-cable.
  • The auto-off mode of some older subwoofers (e.g, Velodyne CH-12) may not come on at lower levels without the use of a Y-cable.
  • Some older subwoofers may actually need a Y cable because the left channel L may not default to mono signal.
  • Another benefit of using a Y-cable at the sub input jacks may be for reducing the amount of Radio Frequency (RF) and Electomagnetic (EM) interference, because you are not leaving the other input open and active. Subwoofers can be affected by annoying buzzes and hums.

Conclusion: Since Y adapters cost a few dollars and there is no significant risk involved, I would recommend using a Y adapter (2 male, 1 female) at the subwoofer's RCA input jacks. Make sure you use a good quality Y adapter that is shielded. Otherwise, you may hear hum and noises.

P.S. Thanks for replying, felt like i was talking to myself. :) Good luck with your traps on your overhead presses. :p
 

Aikouka

Lifer
Nov 27, 2001
30,383
912
126
Is that even going to matter though? I'm assuming your sub will just have a LFE In port like mine does. My sub upstairs (Polk PSW10) does not have a dedicated LFE In port, but instead of using a Y-cable, I just plug it into one port. It doesn't matter.
 

ManBearPig

Diamond Member
Sep 5, 2000
9,173
6
81
Is that even going to matter though? I'm assuming your sub will just have a LFE In port like mine does. My sub upstairs (Polk PSW10) does not have a dedicated LFE In port, but instead of using a Y-cable, I just plug it into one port. It doesn't matter.

Exactly what i thought, although all that stuff i listed seems to say otherwise (or actually it seems like a bunch of nerds are just trying to cover their asses and make it seem so). Do subwoofers go lower in small rooms or large rooms?
 
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Howard

Lifer
Oct 14, 1999
47,982
11
81
Read this at a different forum:



P.S. Thanks for replying, felt like i was talking to myself. :) Good luck with your traps on your overhead presses. :p
I didn't really understand what you were talking about to begin with. Your sub has 2 line inputs? For L/R?

My 2 cents on those reasons:

1) RCAs are moderately self-cleaning. A little dust never hurt anyone.
2) Yes, combining two equal inputs will result in a sum that is higher in amplitude than either of the individual inputs... but it does not make the amp any more powerful. You will simply need to turn the volume knob up a little bit, and more than likely you will either get appreciable distortion before you get to highest volume, or your ears give out first.
3) lol
4) Maybe. Check your manual. I doubt this applies to you.
5) See 2)
6) I have heard some evidence corroborating this, but try without, first. A poorly-made Y-adapter will introduce significant amounts of interference in a noisy environment.
 
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queequeg99

Senior member
Oct 17, 2001
571
5
81
Any tips on calibrating my sub? I have Audyssey2EQ. What position should i put the knob at (12 o clock?)? Do I have to re-run Audyssey when switching out subs?

Your version of Audyssey doesn't do anything with subs (just the mains and surrounds). You'll have to manually set up the sub.