best speaker configuration?

[ew110254]

I tried one post and got no feedback so I'll try once more.

My system is:
Denon AVR 5800 receiver
2- B&W 804 mains
2- B&W CDM-2 rears
1- B&W HTM center

Any idea as to a good subwoofer match for this set-up? I'm looking at Velodyne HGS10s which have good specs but as I read more on this forum, what do specs mean!

I want the best 2-channel sound I can get. So:

Is it best to use 2-subs, go from my receiver left and right out into 2-subs, and then into the 804's?

Or go from my receiver left and right out into 1-sub and into the 804'2?

Or can I use a single sub from receiver sub out and still get the sub to work in 2-channel mode?

I'd really like some feedback here folks. I can't wait to get this system up and running. Buckeye, I've been reading your replies. Seems like yo9u know what you're talking about. Any ideas are appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
ew

 

[corysmith01]

In response to your 3rd "or", you can definitely get your sub to work in 2 channel mode...most do, so long as you're using bass management with your receiver. The only way it wouldn't work is if a) you have the sub set to "no" of "off" in your receiver settings, or b) you have it set to "pure direct" or "source direct"...I can't remember which Denon uses. My Marantz has "source direct" so I'm pretty sure it's called "Pure Direct" on Denons...basically, that just bypasses all bass management in the receiver and sends full range to the speakers.

So again, yes, you can get the sub to work in 2 channel mode. For your fist two questions, I let someone else attack those as I've never used 2 subs and being as such, I've never experimented with daisy chaining them.

Good luck.

 

[MDS]

Any of your options will work - it's a question of pros and cons with each hookup. You say you want good 2 channel performance, but will there ever be a need for multi-channel, like playing DD or DTS movies? If so, you are going to want to use option 3 - one sub connected to the sub pre-out of the receiver and all other speakers connected to the receiver. The sub will still be active in 2 channel Stereo mode (but not in 'direct' or 'pure direct' which bypass all processing).

The major disadvantage of using speaker level hookups (where you connect the speaker wire from the receiver to the sub and then from the sub to the speakers) is that you will no longer be able to use the bass managment features of the receiver - the xover will be set on the sub and you won't be able to set distance and delay. That might not be a big deal if you never use multi-channel but if that is the case you would be better off with a 2 channel amp rather than a behemoth of a receiver like the 5805 with a zillion features.

Note that you could still use two subs with the pre-out connection if you desire - just buy a y-adaptor and connect one end to one sub and the other end to the second sub.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Nice system

I tried one post and got no feedback so I'll try once more.

My system is:
Denon AVR 5800 receiver
2- B&W 804 mains
2- B&W CDM-2 rears
1- B&W HTM center

Any idea as to a good subwoofer match for this set-up? I'm looking at Velodyne HGS10s which have good specs but as I read more on this forum, what do specs mean!

I want the best 2-channel sound I can get. So:

Is it best to use 2-subs, go from my receiver left and right out into 2-subs, and then into the 804's?

Or go from my receiver left and right out into 1-sub and into the 804'2?

Or can I use a single sub from receiver sub out and still get the sub to work in 2-channel mode?

I'd really like some feedback here folks. I can't wait to get this system up and running. Buckeye, I've been reading your replies. Seems like yo9u know what you're talking about. Any ideas are appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
ew

Pg 13 of the manual says to hook up a powered sub from the single rca out to the rca in on the sub. That's it. I use a y adaptor going into my sub. It balances out the signal to the sub amp, even though its mono. Use the receivers bass management to crossover your speakers at 60Hz or 80Hz, whichever sounds better to you. You'll still have additional management on the rear of the HGS10. I doubt you'll need two of the HGS10's. They are out of this world. I run a class D amp in my truck, and boy are they efficient.

You can run pure direct in 2.1 mode. The Denon will not kick off the sub unless you ask it to. I suggest setting all your speakers to small, and only selecting the LFE instead of LFE+Main if it's an option on the 5800. Finally, if you want the ultimate bass from that monster, set it in a corner. It will operate well on one wall, but if you want to wake the dead, a corner is the way to go.

 

[ew110254]

Thanks guys

Thanks for the help. I will certainly go with the single sub through the sub out on the receiver. I really didn't want to shell out a bunch more for a second sub if it can be avoided. My wife would shoot me!

You have any comments on the Velodyne HGS? There are so many subs out there and I'm really new to this. The HGS promises such low distorsion levels. Is this just hype or is there a big difference? I paid quite a bit for the 804's and don't want to reduce quality by using an inferior sub. But do I reallty need to pay big bucks?

the room is approx. 16' x 22' and I really don't care much about shaking the walls. I just want crisp, clean bass at reasonable listening levels.
ew