Why Don't The Newest Receivers Have Dual Subwoofer Pre-Outs?

[renegade87]

While we're all seemingly drooling over the news of the latest crop of electronics (particularly receivers), I'm noticing a trend. Even though more and more speaker manufacturers are building towers with integrated powered subs, electronics manufacturers are only including 1 subwoofer pre-out on their systems. Everyboy here is jumping up and down about the new Denon, Onkyo, Yamaha ..., but none (that I have seen) includes more than 1 sub pre-out. My 7 year old Sony STR DB930 has two! (I haven't yet noticed any Sony fans here yet, but I'm new) But I notice the new Sony's have only 1 sub pre-out also (ES5300, ES4300, ES3300). But some have as many as six (6) HDMI 1.3 inputs!

Just curious as to whether anyone else considers this an important feature in a receiver you could be spending as much as $2500 (Denon AVR 4308) on, or am I asking for too much?

I currently own Definitive BP7006's and don't like using adapters for anything if I can possibly help it.

 

[jake5717]

I don’t know why they only include 1, but my subs have and RCA out so I can just daisy chain them. I don’t know what this does for performance but it saves be from having to but 2 very long sub cables.

 

[AVRat]

I do agree that dual sub-outs would be great for many people, but the vast majority of consumers have enough problems dealing with just a single sub.

 

[MDS]

I think the reason receivers only have 1 sub pre-out is there is no real market demand for more than one. Most people don't even have one subwoofer let alone two or more.

There are alternatives like using Y adapters and daisy chaining like jake mentioned for the few that might want/need more than one sub so I don't think multiple sub pre-outs will be a priority anytime soon.

 

[dem beats]

I do agree that dual sub-outs would be great for many people, but the vast majority of consumers have enough problems dealing with just a single sub.

Rat you hit the nail on the head.

People don't use it and no one consideres bass to be stereo. At least not for it's most common aplications such as HT where the boom is suposed to come from every where.... AKA omnidirectional.

 

[markw]

A $5.00 "Y" adapter will solve the problem.

Why ask for 'em to add another "feature" and raise the price?

 

[j_garcia]

The simple answer is, becuase it isn't necessary.

 

[jake5717]

....But if receivers did have two sub pre outs do you think it would be easier for user to run the auto calibrating wizard to tune them both?

 

[markw]

Why would you think that?

....But if receivers did have two sub pre outs do you think it would be easier for user to run the auto calibrating wizard to tune them both?

I don't see how having two identical sub outs would make a difference over what it's like now when running with two subs via a "Y" adapter or daisy-chainng.

 

[no. 5]

....But if receivers did have two sub pre outs do you think it would be easier for user to run the auto calibrating wizard to tune them both?

If each sub pre-out had its own independent level, phase, and delay control.

 

[jake5717]

If each sub pre-out had its own independent level, phase, and delay control.

This is what I ment.

 

[mike c]

If each sub pre-out had its own independent level, phase, and delay control.

bang on the head! (options like LEFT, RIGHT, FRONTS, BACKS subwoofer with crossover controls)

otherwise, just get a WYE connector.

 

[no. 5]

This is what I ment.

Then the answer is 'yes'.

 

[renegade87]

I currently own Definitive BP7006's and don't like using adapters for anything if I can possibly help it.

Got it guys. I knew going in that I could and would need to connect my Def Tech BP7006's 300w Sub RCA inputs to the lone Sub Pre-out of whichever new receiver I should choose through a "Y" adapter. But as I originally stated, I like to avoid adapters believing in the possibility of signal degradation. Not to mention the added cost.

I may just stick with the Sony STR DB930's optical and coaxial outputs and go straight from the source (Motorola DCT3416 HD Cable Box w/2 tuner DVR & Denon DVD 1730CI) HDMI out to my 50" Sony SXRD 1080p rear projector.

 

[Seth=L]

Got it guys. I knew going in that I could and would need to connect my Def Tech BP7006's 300w Sub RCA inputs to the lone Sub Pre-out of whichever new receiver I should choose through a "Y" adapter. But as I originally stated, I like to avoid adapters believing in the possibility of signal degradation. Not to mention the added cost.

I may just stick with the Sony STR DB930's optical and coaxial outputs and go straight from the source (Motorola DCT3416 HD Cable Box w/2 tuner DVR & Denon DVD 1730CI) HDMI out to my 50" Sony SXRD 1080p rear projector.

The risk of signal degradation would only be a real concern if the y-adapter is faulty.