Subwoofer help needed

[no1maestro]

I purchased a used JBL Sub135 powered unit without a manual. It has a pair of inputs marked from amp and a single LFE input. The receiver does not have an LFE output so I have a choice either to plug directly from the receiver to the pair or to Y a pair of cables to the LFE input. My question is which should sound better and is there a problem with Ying the pair together. My thought is that the LFE input might have a lower cutoff and might sound better without getting too "boomy". I would appreciate any info that you folks might have. Thanks!!

 

[Adam]

Hey, maestro. You can get the owner's manual for your sub at the link here. It might help explain the set-up for you.

I don't know what you plan on connecting from the receiver to the sub using line-level connections and a y-adapter, but regardless, I would recommend against that. If your receiver does not have a subwoofer output (it doesn't have to say "LFE"), I would recommend that you use the speaker level connections on the sub.

What receiver do you have? I'd be happy to check if there is a better way to connect the two.

Adam

 

[no1maestro]

Thanks, Adam, for answering. I should have been a little clearer in asking my question. I am usinga Denon TX-850 two channel receiver. I am taking one set of tape outputs to the subwoofer. I am not using the subs front or rear speaker outs from the sub. The Denon is powering a pair of speakers and the subis just powering the woofer. I am using the line-level inputs at the present time but I was pondering wiring the two outputs together with a y connector and using the LFE input on the sub amp in order to see if the crossover point is lower than the line level point. I was thinking to get rid of some of the boominess if it uses a lower crossover point. That was my thinking. Again thanks for the response!!

 

[Adam]

Happy to help out if I can!

...I was pondering wiring the two outputs together with a y connector and using the LFE input on the sub amp in order to see if the crossover point is lower than the line level point.

Assuming that LFE input works like the other ones that I know of, it will bypass the crossover completely. Those LFE inputs are used in conjunction with a receiver that has already done the bass management and is only sending the frequencies to the sub that the sub should play. So, in short, it will probably be more boomy if you use the LFE input.

 

[Adam]

Quick question - are you sure that it's a Denon TX-850? I can find a Denon TU-850, and an Onkyo TX-850, but not the one that you mentioned.

Just curious. Thanks.

 

[no1maestro]

Sorry, it was an Onkyo; I was thinking about my wife's system in the other room!!

 

[markw]

You really don't want to use tape outputs. The subs volume won't be controlled by the receivers volume control.

You want to use the receiver's pre-amp outputs if you have 'em. If not, you should use the sub's speaker level inputs, again assuming the sub has them.

If you have neither, well, you've got a problem there.