How To?

[speakerman39]

Folks, just recently got a set of JBL 305's during a Black Friday sale. I absolutely love them. The best $198 I ever spent. However, I do find myself wanting a little more low end. As such, I plan to order me one of the Emotiva BasX S8 subs once it is shipping. As such, my question is how do I connect my computer to the BasX sub?

I have my JBL 305's connected to my Behringer UMC22 DAC via usb out on my desktop. They are connected via TRS cables. So, how do I integrate the S8 sub? Here is link for the sub:

http://emotiva.com/products/subwoofers/basx-s8

What is the best way to connect the S8? Hope to get to keep my balanced outputs on the DAC. Is there a way to do so? Also, is there a way to turn on my JBL 305's w/o doing so behind the speakers each and every time? Is there a better way that is not too expensive? Thanks once again!

Cheers,

Phil

 

[shadyJ]

The only way to keep a balanced cable connection from the DAC to the JBLs to to use a balanced splitter. You will want two of these: male TRS 1/4" to split into TRS connections. One end of the splitter you send to the speakers, the other ends you need 1/4" to RCA cables to go to the subwoofer, like this.

You will want to measure the JBL 305 response at your listening position to see where to set the subwoofer low-pass filter. You can set the low-pass by ear as well, but looking at measurements will give you a better idea of what is going on.

 

[speakerman39]

The only way to keep a balanced cable connection from the DAC to the JBLs to to use a balanced splitter. You will want two of these: male TRS 1/4" to split into TRS connections. One end of the splitter you send to the speakers, the other ends you need 1/4" to RCA cables to go to the subwoofer, like this.

You will want to measure the JBL 305 response at your listening position to see where to set the subwoofer low-pass filter. You can set the low-pass by ear as well, but looking at measurements will give you a better idea of what is going on.

Thanks once again Shady. Will get these ordered soon. Do you know of any other little sub that I could use for my JBL 305's in the same, or nearly the same, price range? Just curious is all.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[shadyJ]

Nothing in that price range will be great shakes. Little inexpensive subs will have high resonant frequencies. You might as well go for the Emotiva.

 

[speakerman39]

Nothing in that price range will be great shakes. Little inexpensive subs will have high resonant frequencies. You might as well go for the Emotiva.

That is what I plan to do given the price! Thanks!

Cheers,

Phil

 

[WaynePflughaupt]

I can’t find confirmation anywhere that the UMC22 outputs are indeed balanced.

If they are, you will only maintain a balanced signal if the destination of both sides of the TRS splitter are balanced. If one side is not, then the whole signal becomes unbalanced. The Emotiva sub does not have balanced inputs, so you would have to use a converter such as a direct box to maintain the balanced signal between the UMC22 and 305s (again, assuming the UMC has balanced outputs to begin with).

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[speakerman39]

I can’t find confirmation anywhere that the UMC22 outputs are indeed balanced.

If they are, you will only maintain a balanced signal if the destination of both sides of the TRS splitter are balanced. If one side is not, then the whole signal becomes unbalanced. The Emotiva sub does not have balanced inputs, so you would have to use a converter such as a direct box to maintain the balanced signal between the UMC22 and 305s (again, assuming the UMC has balanced outputs to begin with).

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

Wayne as far as I know the UMC22 has balanced TRS outputs. It works very well w/my JBL 305's. The problem that I am running into is to connect a sub of some sorts. That is why I am looking at the new Emotiva BasX S8. The question is, however, was is the best way to connect it to my DAC. Hope that I can keep it fully balanced. Have any links/recommendations for a direct box?

Cheers,

Phil

 

[shadyJ]

Wayne is right, losing balance at one termination will undo the whole thing. The UMC22 does have 1/4" TRS output so it is balanced. The thing is, a balanced connection isn't going to be better, unless you are doing real long runs. They are made for studios and live sound applications, where long cable runs can pick up electrical noise. Balanced cables can help cancel out the noise. For a desktop system, there won't be any serious advantage. I wouldn't even bother with a direct box.

 

[speakerman39]

Wayne is right, losing balance at one termination will undo the whole thing. The UMC22 does have 1/4" TRS output so it is balanced. The thing is, a balanced connection isn't going to be better, unless you are doing real long runs. They are made for studios and live sound applications, where long cable runs can pick up electrical noise. Balanced cables can help cancel out the noise. For a desktop system, there won't be any serious advantage. I wouldn't even bother with a direct box.

So, just use the cables/adapters that you linked previously? That has been my plan. Hope to be ordering very soon. Thanks!

Cheers,

Phil

 

[KEW]

So, just use the cables/adapters that you linked previously? That has been my plan. Hope to be ordering very soon. Thanks!

Cheers,

Phil

Yep, that is what you want!
Balanced rarely makes sense for home audio unless you have your sub in the far corner in a large room.
Did Emo give an estimate on when the S8's would become available?

 

[speakerman39]

Yep, that is what you want!
Balanced rarely makes sense for home audio unless you have your sub in the far corner in a large room.
Did Emo give an estimate on when the S8's would become available?

No, the guy that I talked to told me he was not even sure if it will be available this month. Went on to say it just might be early 2017. Same for the Airmotiv S15. Might give them a call again tomorrow and ask for an update. Very anxious to know myself...........LOL!!!!

Cheers,

Phil