LFE vs. Regular L/R Hookup

[index2020]

Another n00b question -- my subwoofer has both LFE and Regular L/R Hookup options. My receiver has an LFE output? What are the pros and cons of each option?

 

[adk highlander]

The LFE input will bypass the crossover dial settings on the sub itself and it saves you the $2.49 for a y cable.

 

[Davemcc]

As adk mentioned, the LFE input skips the crossover in the sub. Since the receiver is already doing the crossover, there is no need to send the signal through another crossover circuit. If you have an LFE input, it is best to use it if for no other reason but that.

 

[adk highlander]

Thanks giving a better explanation. I was on Martini #4 at that point.

 

[Adam]

Thanks giving a better explanation. I was on Martini #4 at that point.

I thought that your explanation was just fine. I was in the same state as you were, though.

 

[index2020]

Thanks for this guys.

So, the final question --

I have both kinds of cables and will be setting up my system this week and don't foresee changing it for many years to come. So which one should one go with? I take it that the LFE setup is better since the receiver gets to do the math on crossover?

 

[adk highlander]

You are correct sir. LFE would be the best one.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Thanks for this guys.

So, the final question --

I have both kinds of cables and will be setting up my system this week and don't foresee changing it for many years to come. So which one should one go with? I take it that the LFE setup is better since the receiver gets to do the math on crossover?

I think you may need to know that on a DVD you do have a descrete LFE channel that would be passed to the sub through that LFE connection if a 'sub' 'yes' was selected in your setup. So, using that connection would be advantageous.
Then, you would need to decide if you want to send all low frequency from the other channels to the sub or to their respective speakers.

 

[index2020]

I think you may need to know that on a DVD you do have a descrete LFE channel that would be passed to the sub through that LFE connection if a 'sub' 'yes' was selected in your setup. So, using that connection would be advantageous.
Then, you would need to decide if you want to send all low frequency from the other channels to the sub or to their respective speakers.

So, I've got mu receiver setup via LFE. Problem is that when I play DVD's I can hear the sub rumble but when I play regular CDs (on the same DVD player) -- nada on the subwoofer. What am I doing wrong with the setup?

 

[Davemcc]

So, I've got mu receiver setup via LFE. Problem is that when I play DVD's I can hear the sub rumble but when I play regular CDs (on the same DVD player) -- nada on the subwoofer. What am I doing wrong with the setup?

All receivers process the LFE channel to the sub since that is what it is intended for. However, different receivers handle a stereo signal differently than others. The difference lies in the attitude towards music reproduction. Some people do not want the subwoofer on when listening to music, usually those with full range main towers. Others always want the sub on, as in the case of a person with a sat/sub system.

It's difficult not knowing which receiver you have, but in the case of Denon there is a separate subwoofer setup menu for multi-channel or stereo signal and you can choose to include or exclude the sub for either situation. It may also have to do with whether you selected small or large speakers as your fronts in the setup. You should have them set to small, no matter what size they actually are.

 

[index2020]

All receivers process the LFE channel to the sub since that is what it is intended for. However, different receivers handle a stereo signal differently than others. The difference lies in the attitude towards music reproduction. Some people do not want the subwoofer on when listening to music, usually those with full range main towers. Others always want the sub on, as in the case of a person with a sat/sub system.

It's difficult not knowing which receiver you have, but in the case of Denon there is a separate subwoofer setup menu for multi-channel or stereo signal and you can choose to include or exclude the sub for either situation. It may also have to do with whether you selected small or large speakers as your fronts in the setup. You should have them set to small, no matter what size they actually are.

Thanks - I have the Onkyo TX-SR606 receiver. Any further insights?

 

[mtrycrafts]

Thanks - I have the Onkyo TX-SR606 receiver. Any further insights?

Some Onkyo receivers can be assigned in 2ch mode to send bass to sub or that yo have a sub in 2ch mode too, if you assign all your speakers as 'small' and having a sub, all lows should go to the sub in all modes.

 

[Davemcc]

In the speaker configuration menu, pg 72 of the owner's manual, make sure the crossover points are set to 80Hz. Make sure this setting is not at "full range" or all your bass will go to the main speakers and not the sub. Once you set this to 80Hz, all the frequencies below that point will go to the sub, even in stereo.

The LFE channel is separate and always goes to the sub anyway, so this would explain why the sub works when an LFE signal is present, but not in 2 channel stereo, at least in how I interpret the owner's manual.

 

[dragonlord76]

I am new here and got a quick question. I have Denon AVR-4806 and JBL 12" sub (im not at home so don't remember model). My receiver doesnt have LFE output but only Sub out output, but my JBL has LFE and L/R..should I use LFE or L/R? I remember I tried connect to LFE before and even at max, I don't really get any thing from subwoofer. Did I setup wrong somewhere? I use Auto setup.

Thanks

 

[Davemcc]

Treat the sub out as an LFE and use the LFE input on the sub. After you use auto setup, you should go through the receiver's setup menu to confirm the results. Many auto setups tend to select speakers as large. Make sure all your speakers are set to small, regardless of their actual size, and set the crossover to 80Hz (unless your speakers are incapable of extending that low, as in small satellites). I haven't looked at the 4806 manual but if it's anything like my 2307, there will be a separate menu item for 2-channel signals where you will also have to assign the sub separately from the main speaker setup menu.

 

[dragonlord76]

Treat the sub out as an LFE and use the LFE input on the sub. After you use auto setup, you should go through the receiver's setup menu to confirm the results. Many auto setups tend to select speakers as large. Make sure all your speakers are set to small, regardless of their actual size, and set the crossover to 80Hz (unless your speakers are incapable of extending that low, as in small satellites). I haven't looked at the 4806 manual but if it's anything like my 2307, there will be a separate menu item for 2-channel signals where you will also have to assign the sub separately from the main speaker setup menu.

I notice there are 2 options for the sub menu, 1. LFE and 2. LFE + Main.....are you referring to #2?

 

[Davemcc]

I notice there are 2 options for the sub menu, 1. LFE and 2. LFE + Main.....are you referring to #2?

That depends on the capability of your main speakers. If you choose LFE+main, then the sub and the main speakers will both play the bass frequencies of the program material. If you don't have really good speakers or if you have a small amplifier, just choose LFE and any frequencies below your crossover point will go to the sub instead of your main speakers. In either case, the LFE track will only go to the sub, not the mains.

But you will also need to go into the Advanced Playback menu, select 2 channel direct/stereo and assign the sub and crossover for stereo sources as well. Otherwise the sub will not be used for normal stereo music playback.