New home, new speakers!

[PENG]

Thanks for the advice, Peng.

I am not very familiar with the nomenclature, but I presume that means a serial circuit of
2 channel amp -> sub -> fronts
(without crossover)

My 2 channel pre-amp can give two outputs, would that cause any degradation/difference in sound quality if I just make a circuit like this?

fronts
receiver <
sub

Some subwoofers, such as the SVS ones, do provide RCA type low level inputs and outputs as well as high level speaker inputs and speaker outputs. In that case you also have the following option:

Preamp outputs (i.e. RCA style preouts) L&R to subwoofer low level inputs L&R and then from subwoofer low level outputs L&R to amp lower level inputs L&R.

The option I mentioned before is as follow:

Amp speaker outputs (binding posts) to subwoofer high level inputs (binding posts) L&R, and then from subwoofer high level outputs (binding posts) L&R to your main front L&R speakers. If you want more detailed explanation with connection diagrams, you can download the instruction manuals of subs that offer high level input/output binding posts and/or low level RCA input jacks. If you wish I can find one for you and post a link to it but it will be later today or tomorrow. Polk Audio subs such as the older PSW series, e.g. PSW404 offers all the connection options I mentioned so you can try to download the manual and see if connection diagrams are included.

By the way you talked about preamp and then receiver so I am not sure if you are using a receiver or a separate preamp and amp system. Just to be clear, when people say receiver I assume they refer to one that has the tuner, preamp, amp all in one box.

 

[WmAx]

If you have a seperate pre-amp and power amp, I recommend getting a proper active crossover to insert between them and PROPERLY split the spectrum to the sub(s) and mains. The Behringer CX-2310 is a superbly built unit - very high quality parts and design - and it costs under $100. I kid you not, despite the cost, it uses 1 percent tolerance film resistors, film caps, high grade alps switches and potentiometers, an over-sized toroidal transformer based power supply, etc. I highly recommend this. It has infinitely variable xover frequency, and 4th order L-R crossover slopes. It will allow you to find a more optimal/ideal crossover point from your mains to sub(s) as compared to using the built in one on the subwoofer. Basic adapters are needed to connect to the professional audio crossover. If you want far more control over your system as well as room correction - the DCX2496 is the unit of choice, but it costs 3x more than the unit listed above.

-Chris

 

[Isabella.S]

Some subwoofers, such as the SVS ones, do provide RCA type low level inputs and outputs as well as high level speaker inputs and speaker outputs. In that case you also have the following option:

Preamp outputs (i.e. RCA style preouts) L&R to subwoofer low level inputs L&R and then from subwoofer low level outputs L&R to amp lower level inputs L&R.

The option I mentioned before is as follow:

Amp speaker outputs (binding posts) to subwoofer high level inputs (binding posts) L&R, and then from subwoofer high level outputs (binding posts) L&R to your main front L&R speakers. If you want more detailed explanation with connection diagrams, you can download the instruction manuals of subs that offer high level input/output binding posts and/or low level RCA input jacks. If you wish I can find one for you and post a link to it but it will be later today or tomorrow. Polk Audio subs such as the older PSW series, e.g. PSW404 offers all the connection options I mentioned so you can try to download the manual and see if connection diagrams are included.

By the way you talked about preamp and then receiver so I am not sure if you are using a receiver or a separate preamp and amp system. Just to be clear, when people say receiver I assume they refer to one that has the tuner, preamp, amp all in one box.

Sorry for the confusion . I have a pre-amp (Behringer Xenyx 1002FX) and an amp (Behringer EP2500). For fronts I have two Behringer 2030P.

I think I am going to get the SVS PB10 NSD as well as an active crossover.
How should I connect them? What are the pros and cons of the options you mentioned?

FYI, my pre-amp / mixer has several output channels (mains, control room, tape-out etc)
Here's a picture of it:
http://cachepe.zzounds.com/media/quality,85/brand,zzounds/1002_big-4aab3b4439815b07e634fce4438b8aaa.jpg

Thanks!

- I.S.