LFE Connection, Advantage or Disadvantage?? !!

[Vigor]

A few words about the LFE connection.
It is two weeks that I’m testing my subs Velodyne DSP12 listening to music live concert DTS –Eric Clapton, Eagles, Steely Dan and more, trying to figure out the different sound between the two connections, Option # 1) One RCA going form the Amp to the LFE in only, at the back of the sub, Option # 2) One RCA going from the Amp to a Splitter and to the LINE IN and LFE at the same time. Some people say that it is the same, but it’s not!
It is clear that with Option # 2 we gaining more power more information and the sound are tighter. The subs sound much better, I did call Velodyne and SVS head office and ask the question and the two of them said “it is up to your ears" Velodyne said that he is always using option # 2 with the Splitter. I’m recommending to everyone to try it.

 

[Newfiestang50]

A few words about the LFE connection.
It is two weeks that I’m testing my subs Velodyne DSP12 listening to music live concert DTS –Eric Clapton, Eagles, Steely Dan and more, trying to figure out the different sound between the two connections, Option # 1) One RCA going form the Amp to the LFE in only, at the back of the sub, Option # 2) One RCA going from the Amp to a Splitter and to the LINE IN and LFE at the same time. Some people say that it is the same, but it’s not!
It is clear that with Option # 2 we gaining more power more information and the sound are tighter. The subs sound much better, I did call Velodyne and SVS head office and ask the question and the two of them said “it is up to your ears" Velodyne said that he is always using option # 2 with the Splitter. I’m recommending to everyone to try it.

That is interesting, the only thing that i dont understand is that in option number 2 it would seem that you are only going to get one channel of bass if you are only using a single splitter from your receiver. I think you should be using a splitter for both L & R channels of your receiver connected then to a RCA cable to your sub, then a 2 into one splitter to go into the LFE on your sub in order to get full sterio bass. I had this setup connected before i purchased my RXV 2600 but found my bass much better from the sub connected to the dedicated LFE out of the receiver, everyones setup is a little different i guess.

 

[Vigor]

That is interesting, the only thing that i dont understand is that in option number 2 it would seem that you are only going to get one channel of bass if you are only using a single splitter from your receiver. I think you should be using a splitter for both L & R channels of your receiver connected then to a RCA cable to your sub, then a 2 into one splitter to go into the LFE on your sub in order to get full sterio bass. I had this setup connected before i purchased my RXV 2600 but found my bass much better from the sub connected to the dedicated LFE out of the receiver, everyones setup is a little different i guess.

I guess that in your Amp you have 2 output to the subs if you have a dedicated LFE out from the receiver you have to go to the LFE input in the subs, what I was talking is to splitt the regular subs output from the amp and to connect it to the LFE in & to the input, in the subs.

 

[Newfiestang50]

Ok, my sub just has the L & R line in, there is no "LFE IN" as such, B&W manual indicates to use the left line in when using a LFE signal. Do you think it would be better for me to split my LFE from my receiver into the 2 L & R signals and connect to the L & R line in on my sub??

 

[Vigor]

Ok, my sub just has the L & R line in, there is no "LFE IN" as such, B&W manual indicates to use the left line in when using a LFE signal. Do you think it would be better for me to split my LFE from my receiver into the 2 L & R signals and connect to the L & R line in on my sub??

Absolutely, you will feel a great different try it you will be surprise.

 

[MDS]

If you split the subwoofer out of the receiver and connect to both the left and right inputs on the sub, you will achieve a slight boost in the volume and nothing more.

On subs that have inputs labeled 'line-in' and 'lfe', the difference is usually that the lfe connection disables the sub's internal xover and the line-in connection does not.

 

[Sheep]

If you split the subwoofer out of the receiver and connect to both the left and right inputs on the sub, you will achieve a slight boost in the volume and nothing more.

On subs that have inputs labeled 'line-in' and 'lfe', the difference is usually that the lfe connection disables the sub's internal xover and the line-in connection does not.

MDS is right, but backwards. The LFE - in uses the crossover, while the INPUT uses the receiver/prepro Xover.

I have the DPS-12 too, and you can read about this in my review. The crossover knob also has a defeat function when it is turned all the way up.

SheepStar

 

[MDS]

Sheep,
Can you verify that for that particular Velodyne sub? Because that would be backwards from other subs I've seen. The LFE in is the input that bypasses the sub's internal xover.

 

[Sheep]

Sheep,
Can you verify that for that particular Velodyne sub? Because that would be backwards from other subs I've seen. The LFE in is the input that bypasses the sub's internal xover.

Yep, cause I remember playing around with the Xover knob and it changed the sound.

In my experience with athena, the AS-P400's line in wouldn't even let me adjust the volume on the unit, you had to do it through the pre/pro.


.......couple minutes later........

OK, the xover, and Volume are adjustable, with both of the inputs. I think they are there just to boost the volume..Hm, guess I have some editing to do on my review.

SheepStar

 

[Vigor]

If you split the subwoofer out of the receiver and connect to both the left and right inputs on the sub, you will achieve a slight boost in the volume and nothing more.

On subs that have inputs labeled 'line-in' and 'lfe', the difference is usually that the lfe connection disables the sub's internal xover and the line-in connection does not.

MDS Thank you for this information it is the first time I had a good & logical explanation, but why Velodyne has the Low Pass Crossover knob 40Hz - 180Hz this knob purpose is to bypass the sub's internal xover
"LOW-PASS CROSSOVER
Use this knob to select the high-frequency range at which you
wish to cut off the signal to the subwoofer. When the knob is
turned all the way to the left, the Subwoofer Direct feature is
invoked and the subwoofer plays all frequencies up to 200 Hz
On a conversation I had with Velodyne Virginia (customer suport) the guy advised me to use - 'line-in' and 'lfe' in order to achieve the best results.

 

[JES14]

I use a splitter on the rec. LFE output to 2 subs and split each of those to the 2 inputs on each sub. I found this gives a LITTLE more oomph then 1 connection in. I have tried both ways.
Although I notice on the new HSU there is only 1 input.