Running 2 subs from 7.2 vs 7.1 with Y-splitter?

[Deadhorse]

Time to do something with my system as I haven't in a while. Right now I'm running one Klipsch Synergy KSW-12 on a 7.1 receiver and was thinking of running two with a y-splitter. My question is will I get a better quality sound running two from a comparable 7.2 receiver as opposed to using the y-splitter?

 

[Steve81]

My question is will I get a better quality sound running two from a comparable 7.2 receiver as opposed to using the y-splitter?

Depends on the 7.2 receiver. Most send an identical signal to the two subwoofer outs. Some (usually costlier) models have room correction systems like Audyssey MultEQ XT32 with SubEQ that can correct the response of each subwoofer individually and that would improve sound considerably.

 

[ratso]

depends on which receiver? my 4311 has xt-32 which can independently eq 2 subs. (and i would guess there will be conjecture on whether or not that gives you better sound). either way, do it. 2 subs and up is the way to go.

edit ** doh too quick for me, eh steve

 

[Steve81]

and i would guess there will be conjecture on whether or not that gives you better sound

Depends on the situation I guess; if you're stacking them for example, pinging the subs independently isn't going to make a lot of difference. OTOH, even simple stuff like being able to independently set distances/phase could be quite useful. Whether EQing them separately makes a big difference really depends on how smartly the system was designed I'd expect.

doh too quick for me, eh steve

Just happen to be looking at the right time I suppose, although it doesn't hurt that "BoredSysAdmin" wouldn't be an utterly unfitting moniker for myself either at times.

 

[Hookedonc4]

Time to do something with my system as I haven't in a while. Right now I'm running one Klipsch Synergy KSW-12 on a 7.1 receiver and was thinking of running two with a y-splitter. My question is will I get a better quality sound running two from a comparable 7.2 receiver as opposed to using the y-splitter?

We use a Y-splitter off the back of our pioneer VSX-81. One goes to James Loudspeaker M-1000 Sub Amp driving two 10" subs in our James Baby Grand Concerto's the other goes to EMB-1000 sub... Works great...

 

[ImcLoud]

If the receiver is 7.2 most likely you will be able to adjust the subs individually, vs with 7.1 you are going to adjust them at the same time... And since they are most likely be far away from each other and not equl distances to the listening area this can be beneficial.

I usually just adjust the subs with the spl meter one at a time to the same spl level at the listening position{using there integrated gain control}, then after that is done I let the receiver adjust it level the normal way... This gets good results, and I set the crossover to 80 no matter what... The audy program and some others, work well and if you dont have an spl meter or you dont want to do much thinking its good...
I find I almost set up every system the same way, I cross the speakers 80 high pass {100 for music} and the sub 80 low pass {music I am always changing the cross over between 65-85}... then run the entire system level and add a little to the sub just so you dont need the volume cranked to get the rumble...{for music all level}...
Rite now Im watching old episodes of CHiPs with the sub off because the kids are sleeping

 

[Tomorrow]

X.1 with a splitter and X.2 receivers can give you much different output depending upon differences in the receiver model you chose. All 7.1's (for example) of course provide identical output to the two subs when using a splitter. While I'm not familiar off hand with the new Denon or other receivers, the upper-end Yamahas offer three options:

*The same output to two subs.

*Left and right output to two subs.

*Front and back output to two subs.

The built-in EQ program called YPAO will do parametric equilizing differently for all three options...a nice feature. Also, with an 7.2 or 9.2 receiver such as the Yamaha RX-A3000 series, you can also adjust for the phase, distance, and output level of each subwoofer independently. As Steve mentioned, that's a great advantage to easy setup that we lazy folks enjoy.