Subwoofer Cable connection: Single vs Dual RCA

[Eliut]

I just installed a Yamaha RX-A8A AVR in my HT and ordered an SVS PB-3000 subwoofer. Today, SVS advised me to get a single to dual RCA subwoofer cable because it can compensate for the "low LFE signal" that Yamaha AVRs supposedly put out. I need a 12-15' cable for my installation. Can any of you guys confirm the merit of this recommendation?

I have found few options available for subwoofer cables in this config. From the expensive Straighwire ENCORE (ENISUB) ($232) to the inexpensive Mediabridge Ultra Series RCA Y-Adapter ($19). What's your take on this?

 

[Speedskater]

Not sure what your setup looks like.
But you should not combine 2 RCA outputs into a single RCA input.

 

[Eliut]

It's the other way around, Speedskater: I will take the subwoofer 1 output of the AVR and use the dual RCA input on the Subwoofer (See image)

 

[lovinthehd]

There can be a slight gain advantage using both L/R inputs on the sub, but most avrs will be fine with just a regular single sub cable. Most sub plate amps will be fine with the sub pre-out levels of avrs, even some Yamahas that have not been stellar in testing.

Forget the silly stuff like Straightwire (and fraudioquest, Nordost, MIT, and so many other charlatan cable companies)....the Mediabridge stuff is fine (if you want something fancy try World's Best Cables available thru Amazon.....very good stock is used for cable and connectors and well constructed by all reports I've seen, but at a reasonable cost). You can always add a y-adapter to any cable later if you think its needed. Might want something with good shielding for a very long run of cable to the sub....

 

[Eliut]

There can be a slight gain advantage using both L/R inputs on the sub, but most avrs will be fine with just a regular single sub cable. Most sub plate amps will be fine with the sub pre-out levels of avrs, even some Yamahas that have not been stellar in testing.

Forget the silly stuff like Straightwire (and fraudioquest, Nordost, MIT, and so many other charlatan cable companies)....the Mediabridge stuff is fine (if you want something fancy try World's Best Cables available thru Amazon.....very good stock is used for cable and connectors and well constructed by all reports I've seen, but at a reasonable cost). You can always add a y-adapter to any cable later if you think its needed. Might want something with good shielding for a very long run of cable to the sub....

Thank you Lovinthehd. I agree with you, some of these cable makers are insane... The Mediabridge looks well made and worst case scenario I'll just lose $20. I rewired my complete HT with 4-conductor monoprice 12awg and it sounds great. I got that done for about $1pf. Audioquest magic cable would have required over $12pf!

 

[lovinthehd]

Thank you Lovinthehd. I agree with you, some of these cable makers are insane... The Mediabridge looks well made and worst case scenario I'll just lose $20. I rewired my complete HT with 4-conductor monoprice 12awg and it sounds great. I got that done for about $1pf. Audioquest magic cable would have required over $12pf!

Monoprice makes good sub cables, too. The cable nonsense is one of the saddest things about audiophilia....

 

[j_garcia]

Some old sub amps may have benefitted when it comes to signal turn on by having both inputs connected, but most subs these days should not have that issue. Reality is, those two R&L connections are probably literally connected to the same point internal to the sub amp, so signal wise it makes no difference.

 

[Speedskater]

Monoprice makes good sub cables, too. The cable nonsense is one of the saddest things about audiophilia....

The Monoprice RCA cables are fine for shorter runs (say 10 to 15 feet or less), but far from ideal for long runs.
(they don't have a heavy enough braided shield) they are budget cables after all.

 

[lovinthehd]

The Monoprice RCA cables are fine for shorter runs (say 10 to 15 feet or less), but far from ideal for long runs.
(they don't have a heavy enough braided shield) they are budget cables after all.

Thought they had various build levels?

 

[lovinthehd]

So went looking around there and their search of their own site really sucks. So I used an external way and found this right off, looks decent https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=21679

 

[Speedskater]

Thought they had various build levels?

I have never seen specs on their cables. But it's highly unlikely that any have a heavy braided shield.

 

[ryanosaur]

RG-6 cable is a defined metric for conductor gauge (18), insulation and shielding.
I use the Monolith “high quality” subwoofer/digital coax cable which is the same basic thing. Works fine, runs past and along power cables, a power strip, other signal cables. No noise. 25’ lengths.

Monoprice 50ft High-quality Coaxial Audio/Video RCA CL2 Rated Cable - RG6/U 75ohm (for S/PDIF, Digital Coax, Subwoofer & Composite Video) - Monoprice.com

This Digital Coax Cable is made from premium quality RG-6/U with double copper braid shielding to prevent signal degradation caused by EMI and RFI interference. This cable is ideal for conducting S/PD

www.monoprice.com

 

[panteragstk]

Some old sub amps may have benefitted when it comes to signal turn on by having both inputs connected, but most subs these days should not have that issue. Reality is, those two R&L connections are probably literally connected to the same point internal to the sub amp, so signal wise it makes no difference.

I know that I have more than one sub that have L&R inputs, but I also have a sub with L&R inputs along side an LFE input. They label LFE input as bypassing the crossover of the sub, while the L&R will use the built in crossover.

I don't have any subs with DSP built in so I have no idea if that would also be bypassed on a sub equipped with DSP.

 

[Speedskater]

"Monoprice 50ft High-quality Coaxial Audio/Video RCA CL2 Rated Cable - RG6/U 75ohm (for S/PDIF, Digital Coax, Subwoofer & Composite Video) "
although they don't publish complete specs (the important one is shield resistance). from their brief description, they should be good for longer cables.

 

[j_garcia]

I know that I have more than one sub that have L&R inputs, but I also have a sub with L&R inputs along side an LFE input. They label LFE input as bypassing the crossover of the sub, while the L&R will use the built in crossover.

I don't have any subs with DSP built in so I have no idea if that would also be bypassed on a sub equipped with DSP.

That is probably true for most subs, even with R&L where one is LFE. Mine has that as well, but I use XLR and neither R or L input is marked LFE and for the RCA connections it is.

 

[ryanosaur]

"Monoprice 50ft High-quality Coaxial Audio/Video RCA CL2 Rated Cable - RG6/U 75ohm (for S/PDIF, Digital Coax, Subwoofer & Composite Video) "
although they don't publish complete specs (the important one is shield resistance). from their brief description, they should be good for longer cables.

Other sites indicate that shielding is generally 90-95% these days. Original shielding was in the 60-65% range for RG-6 cable.
I have seen nothing that indicates a target shield resistance for the RG-6 definition.

 

[Speedskater]

I have seen nothing that indicates a target shield resistance for the RG-6 definition.

There is nothing in the ancient 'RG' classification about shield resistance. There are many different cables that fit that old RG-6 classification. Some are optimized for cable TV frequencies with a thin foil shield and others for low frequencies with a braided shield and some have a heavy braided shield.