Best way to do a 2.1 setup that filters out lower frequencies to the speakers?

[hutt132]

I have the Wavecrest HVL-1 stereo speakers with a subwoofer. I'm trying to find the best way to go about doing a 2.1 setup and have the lower frequencies filtered from going to the speakers. My budget is around $800.

I've been wanting to go with a Schiit setup, where I get a Modi Multibit DAC, a SYS preamp, and a speaker amp, but that wouldn't filter out the lower frequencies for my speakers.
I could just get a surround receiver which would only send the lower frequencies to the sub no problem, but surround receivers tend to degrade the quality a bit for strictly stereo setups from what I've heard.

How should I go about doing this setup?

 

[lovinthehd]

You're going to spend $800 for electronics for a pair of $200 speakers? Little bit backwards to my mind. A used avr and better speakers would be a better way to spend the money IMO. People regularly get rid of used avrs at good prices without all the latest bells and whistles but would have a dac and bass management and a pre-amp all in one box...and will be fine for 2.1 use. Schiit has a cute name, tho.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

I agree with HD. The used market is great for used gear, and as he said you should be able to find one with the dac and stuff you’re looking for. People say all the time that AVR’s aren’t as good as separates, but in my experience, and many guys here, that’s just not true.

 

[ski2xblack]

Second vote of agreement, a used AVR would suffice and check all the boxes. I've used the Marantz slim line AVRs for two channel use, for the sake of their slightly smaller form factor (they have front L and R pre-outs should the on board amps prove insufficient).

Unfortunately, most of the two channel kit, even some of the newer models that sport sub pre-outs, lack true bass management or actual high pass filtering for the mains. Elac makes a stereo integrated amp which does have full blown bass management. It goes for about $700, and while it would check all the same boxes, it's not as good a value proposition as a used AVR. Other solutions are also cost prohibitive, e.g. pro-audio processors like a Xilica or Yamaha SP-2060, or a miniDSP HD, as they cost as much as mid to a high tier AVR on their own.

 

[ski2xblack]

You might be able to simply use some of those line level f-mods between your existing kit. No flexibility, they would just high pass at whatever fixed freq they do, but you at least get to choose that frequency when you get them.