Vandersteen 2wq and Rotel RA-1062: Will that work?

[davetroy]

I have a Rotel RA-1062 integrated amp powering a pair of Vandersteen 2ce Signatures. I'm intrigued by the possibility of adding the 2wq subwoofer (probably pre-owned, if I can find one), but first I'd like to know if that's even a possibility with the 1062. The 1062 has PRE OUTS. Does anybody know if the 1062 has the capability of connecting to the 2wqs? I suspect it doesn't because there's no amp in on the 1062.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Nick250]

I would try the Rotel and see how it works out. you might need an external amp since the Rotel puts most 60 watts each side and the Vandersteens are pretty inefficient at 86db. If you get a powered sub woofer, that takes a huge load of the amp and may make adding a external amp unnecessary. Also, there is no need to match subs with the same speaker family as your other speakers. Subs are speaker independent.

Nick

 

[davetroy]

Okay, but does the Rotel has the inputs required to use the 2wq? From what I've read on the Vandersteen website, most integrated amps don't.

 

[AVRat]

No, it does not!

 

[Dan]

As a 2Wq owner I can tell you that it will not work unless you have amp input or buy an amplifier for the main speakers. My brother has found two good B&K amps on the net for the fine price of $1/watt. 2Wq subs need to ge ttheir input from the amplifier out with a crossover provided between the preamp and amp. The theory as I understand it is that any coloration from the amp will be passed on to the sub as well as the main speakers. There are also several other advantages involving integration with the main speakers. Good hunting.

 

[davetroy]

Thanks, Dan. Again, I suspected as much, although my dealer is trying to find out if it's possible with the Rotel using filters. Supposedly, it depends on whether the impedence is steady from the integrated amp. I don't quite understand it, but he's been pretty reliable so far. If that doesn't work, I'll probably buy a power amp, then the 2wqs, probably one at a time. Then I'll mortgage my house, and I think the 2ces are big enough to sleep in. I can use the 2wqs as a table to eat on.

Do you have one 2wq or two? If you have two, did you ever have just one? Also, what are your main speakers?

 

[Dan]

I do have two subs now although I started with one due to budget issues. The mains are Vandersteen 3a Sigs The pre pro and amp are B&K. The second sub smoothed bass response through the room since I was constrained in location of everything. It also improved the stereo image of bass slightly although imaging with Vandersteen is already superb.

Photos here:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...r/1b64698f.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...r/100_0183.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...r/100_0184.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...r/100_0187.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...r/100_0185.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...r/00315cf0.jpg

In all, I think a lot has to do with the flexibility of your room in placement and acoustics. The point about power and the Vandersteens is well taken since they are inefficient. Adding subs takes the power burden of LFE away from the mains. If you buy a second sub later as I did, don't buy the permanent crossovers from Vandersteen until you have both subs in place. Although highly skeptical, I bought the permanent crossovers for the two. I was surprised at how much improvement I heard although I admit this was highly subjective.

While the 2ce could hold you the 3a sigs are more comfortable to sleep in. It's like going from a queen size to a king sized bed. The 2wq makes a oos end table or pedestal for an "object d art".