Denon 3805 and two subs

[georgep]

I was having some trouble figuring this out:

If the LFE is being used for a powered sub can the mains be set to Large and routed through a passive sub?

Thanks.

 

[agarwalro]

Just put a "Y" splitter at the LFE terminal and run coax to both subs. You will have no problems with this approach.

 

[georgep]

Thanks for the response, but the second subwoofer is passive, not amplified, and receives its power from the right and left fronts. The LFE split will not work. I also feel a passive sub with the fronts provides a more linear response.

But I had another look at the manual and I think it works but I am not 100% sure.

Anyone have this set up?

 

[Daz3d&Confus3d]

Im not sure I understand.....My understanding is a passive sub requires the use of a seperate amplifier.....how are the fronts going to 'juice' the passive sub? Are you wanting to know if you can use the amplifiers built into your receiver for the front outputs to pass through your sub first and then onto your front speakers? If so, I won't recommend that.....depending on the size of the sub and your fronts you could really mess up some of your hardware....Subs require a ton of juice and that's why most have their own built in amps.....for passive subs you have to use a seperate amplifier to provide the wattage it requires.....you did not state any specifics or specs on your equipment...so it makes it hard to evaluate your circumstances.

Give us a little more info...

 

[agarwalro]

I apologize. I missed the fact that the second sub is a passive one. The "Y" splitter is still the way to go.

One side will go to the powered sub and the other will have to be run to an amp (monoblock), from the amp, the speaker level terminals can be used to power the passive sub.

 

[georgep]

Are you wanting to know if you can use the amplifiers built into your receiver for the front outputs to pass through your sub first and then onto your front speakers? QUOTE]


No. I know the sub can operate this way and it was designed to operate this way - it is an Anthony Gallo MPC subwoofer (the same component found on the Gallo Reference 3), and it is designed to be hooked up in this manner.

The real question is whether the 3805 limits fulll range frequencies passing to the fronts if the LFE channel is being used. I do not think the 3805 limits the frequencies, but I am not 100% sure and would appreciate comments from other 3805 users who may know or who are running full frequenct fronts along side the LFE.

Thanks.

 

[zildjian]

The real question is whether the 3805 limits fulll range frequencies passing to the fronts if the LFE channel is being used. I do not think the 3805 limits the frequencies, but I am not 100% sure and would appreciate comments from other 3805 users who may know or who are running full frequenct fronts along side the LFE.

I don't have the 3805, but the 3806 does allow you to run the main L&R channels full range in addition to running the LFE output. Just depends on if you select that in the setup menu. I'd turn on my 3806 and give you exactly what the menu says, but we're in the middle of a storm here in KY, and I unplug all my major electronics during thunderstorms (yes, despite having a power conditioner too... don't want to chance it). If you have the mains channels set to "small" and the subwoofer selected to "yes", then the receiver will limit the frequencies output to the mains to just those above whatever crossover frequency is specified in the setup menu, but you CAN set it up to have both a sub and give full range to the mains.
I am not familiar with your particular sub, but I hope what I said above helps some. If not, let us know and maybe we can figure something out!
Brad

 

[Lsimon]

While I'm not familiar with the 3805, I presume it works the way I've seen other receivers and pre/pro's. That is that if the fronts are set to "large" they will get the full range including bass normally assigned to those channels. If you indicate you have a sub-woofer, then the LFE will go to the sub. If you indicate no sub, and large fronts, then the LFE will be channeled to the fronts in addition to the other "front" bass frequencies.

This is the simple story, and I believe that all AV receivers and pre/pro's work this way. Where they depart is other options available to customize this setting more, including the cut off frequencies at which different bass might be cut off from, or channeled to, a given speaker.

 

[j_garcia]

No. I know the sub can operate this way and it was designed to operate this way - it is an Anthony Gallo MPC subwoofer (the same component found on the Gallo Reference 3), and it is designed to be hooked up in this manner.

You can hook it up this way, but it may not be the ideal situation because then the receiver has to handle powering the sub as well as the mains. I'd prefer to use an external amp in this type of config, and it will then be powering both the sub and the mains.