Question on using Marantz receiver pre-out

[wgscott]

I've got a Marantz NR-1402 5.1 receiver, which I currently have set up with five orb speakers and a Rel subwoofer.

I would like to use the L and R pre-outs with two small Velodyne microvee subs to supplement the L and R channels. However, no signal seems to come out the L and R pre-out jacks.

I suspect I am missing something obvious, but how do I get this to work while keeping my current left and right speakers in my 5.1 array?

 

[fuzz092888]

First, I'm not sure the Marantz will output a signal from the internal amp and through the pre-out at the same time. In either case, even if it does, you wouldn't use the L and R pre-outs. That would try to output a full frequency signal to your subwoofers (or at least whatever signal you had before you set the crossover). If you want to add two subs, you have to use the single SW pre-out and get a Y adapter.

For only $0.32 each when QTY 50+ purchased - RCA Jack to 2 RCA Jack Splitter Adaptor - Gold Plated | RCA <--> RCA Adapters

 

[markw]

I'm unclear as to exactly what you're saying.

If you're saying that no signal is making it to the mains, then Fuzz may be on to something.

But, if you're saying that the mains are working fine but nothing comes out of those two new subwoofers, keep this in mind: If those speakers are set to "small" (and they most likely are) then all the lows that a subwoofer would normally reproduce have been stripped out of the signal and sent to the LFE, or "subwoofer" output.

Orbs are nice, small speakers, with the emphasis on "small". You simply need larger mains, simple as that.

 

[wgscott]

Let me try to explain it this way:

I want to use the two microvees as a stereo pair, essentially to fill in lower-frequency midrange.

The "proper" way to do what I want is to use the Left and Right speaker-level input on each of the subs, respectively, and connect those to the receiver L and R speaker binding posts. Then I should use the speaker-level out on the sub to go from the sub to each of the L and R speakers. Then each sub + orb speaker pair in essence mimics a full-range speaker, with the sub providing an internal active crossover at (I think) 80Hz, providing I program the receiver to treat these as "large". It appears I am nonetheless obligated to use a receiver crossover no lower than 40 Hz, so each of the subs will only be used in the 40 to 80 Hz range. (My other sub does LFE+L/R down to 23Hz, so the 40 Hz crossover isn't a deal-breaker.)

Basically, it doesn't sound great, because the (fixed!) 80Hz crossover frequency is too low for what I want to do. (If it was my only sub, I completely understand why it shouldn't go higher than 80 Hz, but since I want to use these as pure-left and pure-right channel, it would have been nice to be able to crank this crossover up to about 120 to 150Hz, to better fill in the lower mid-range). The lower-level inputs on the sub, however, have an adjustable crossover that goes way up to 200 Hz, so I had hoped to use that instead, while leaving the orb L and R speakers directly attached to the L and R binding posts on my receiver.

If I split this off from the receiver's LFE out, I won't get the stereo separation I want for the higher-frequency bass.

I think in order to get the L/R pre-outs to work, I need to tell it I want to configure the system as a 7.1, with two sets of front speakers.

 

[wgscott]

.
Orbs are nice, small speakers, with the emphasis on "small". You simply need larger mains, simple as that.

Sorry, I forgot to mention that I am married.

 

[markw]

I was able to get some useful info on the Minivees from the Velodyne sitr. Orb, OTOH, shoiws pretty pictures and prices but nothng of real use in getting an answer tp your situation.

In theory, a SUB woofer should only be responsible for the lowest octaves, say below 80 hz. Above that, we're dealing with the bass, mid bass and upper bass until the mid range kicks in, around 300 hz or so some.

With that Rel sub, methinks you're not lacking in the sub area. But, as you seem to understand, you seem to be lacking in that nether-land (bass, upper and mid bass) between the traditional sub frequencies and where the tiny Orbs kick in at it's lowest end, whatever that may be.

I don't know about the Orbs but, looking at the manual for the Minivees on the Velodyne site, if you use the speaker-level inputs and outputs on the Minivee and set your speakers to "large" and subwoofer to "no" or "off" in the Marantz. As per the specs, the Minivee will send everything above 120 hz to your Orbs and everything below that to the sub.

The Minivee is only rated up to 120 hz anyway. IOW, Minivees are not made for filling in lower midranges. They barely make it up out of the bass/mid bass range.

Assuming that's in the Orb's range, I'd go that route. Good luck.

 

[wgscott]

Thanks. It's the Microvee, BTW.

The Orbs + Rel to my ears always sound better than Orbs + Rel + stereo microvee, regardless of what combination I've tried.

I think you are right, that the only really good way to do what I want is with a full-sized set of L/R speakers. (I have a separate pair of B&W CM7 speakers for 2-channel audio.)

One other note: The microvees I purchased from Amazon. Apparently they are selling an old (Aug 2009), obsolete version, with only 60% of the power of what Amazon and Velodyne now list for specs.

I'll prolly send them back.