lfe inputs and sub output???!!?

[.45aL]

i have a pioneer vsx-815-s amp that has a coax sub-out however the sub I was just given has a left and right LFE imputs aswell as speaker wire imputs (not an option as the amp has no speaker output marked sub) how do I connect my new sub? It's a PSB Alpha sub.

 

[markw]

You can connect the LFE to either of the R/L line level inputs on the sub. It'll work fine.

If you want. you can pick up a cheapo "Y" connector with a female RCA jack on one end and two RCA plugs on the other and send that one LFE input to both channels.

Oh, be nice to yer buddy. That's a nice lil sub.

 

[Nuglets]

i have a pioneer vsx-815-s amp that has a coax sub-out however the sub I was just given has a left and right LFE imputs aswell as speaker wire imputs (not an option as the amp has no speaker output marked sub) how do I connect my new sub? It's a PSB Alpha sub.

Not 100% about what you are asking but I'll take a shot at it. If your sub has left and right LFE inputs and your reciever has a subwoofer pre-out(or LFE out) you will want to connect a "Y" adapter to the output on the reciever with a set of RCA cables going to each of the inputs on the sub. You can also connect it without using the "Y" adapter and have only one RCA cable running to the sub but this will yield less voltage from the pre-outs to the sub.

Your other option is to connect the speaker level input on the subwoofer to the main channel on your reciever and hopefully your sub has a speaker level output to go to your main speakers.

The first option is preferred by most because most reciever's have a bass management system that filter's low frequencies to a subwoofer and the rest to the other speakers. If you use the second option you will have to find a crossover point with a good transition from low to mid-range.

Anyways, I am assuming you are confused about why it has two sets of inputs. The answer is simply to allow for flexibility in a setup for people who prefer one over the other or for people who don't have a subwoofer pre-out on their reciever. You need not use both inputs, it's a one or the other type of deal.

 

[Seth=L]

What exactly does the sub say next to the inputs (RCA inputs)? Does it say LFE next to one, both or none?

If there is one in particular that says LFE or LFE only that means the Subs crossover is not used and it instead uses the receiver's crossover which you can access in the setup of the Pioneer receiver. Generally speaking most people set the receiver's crossover to 80hz releiving your speakers and receiver of the demands of low bass and directing the low bass to the Sub.

 

[j_garcia]

There is no such thing as a speaker level sub output. When you use speaker level, you are feeding the sub with a full range signal and using the sub's x-over.

When feeding it a sub-preout signal, you should use the LFE input (which bypasses the sub's x-over. If it doesn't have a LFE/Bypass input, turn the sub's x-over all the way up.

What Nick said - the pre-out method is preferred.

 

[markw]

My Velodyne has them. I'm sure others may as well.

There is no such thing as a speaker level sub output.

Should I choose to send a speaker level signal to my sub's speaker level inputs, it will "strip out" the bass, amplify that and send it to he subwoofer, and send everything except the bass out of the sub's speaker level outputs to my mains, thereby relieving them of the onus of having to handle the deep bass.

This is a good way to "clean up" the main speakers and allow them to be played louder without distortion.

 

[j_garcia]

The sub has a FIXED speaker level output - when you adjust the x-over on the sub, it does not affect the output to the other speakers. Most subs have a high fixed x-over point from the sub; 120-150Hz often, though some I have seen do use 80Hz. These outputs are generally intended for small satellite speakers. That means you are still at the mercy of that high pass x-over because you will have to adjust the sub's x-over to match whatever the high pass is. If you adjust the x-over lower than the appropriate blending point to the high pass, you will create a dip in your response. This is not the recommended method of connecting a system.

If you have a receiver that has bass management, that is the best choice. If you don't have a system that has bass management, I would still send a full range signal to the speakers as that would allow you to blend the sub to the mains manually giving you the cleanest blend between the two.