Will diverting low frequency signals to sub improve speaker sound

[sjbraun]

I just purchased my first subwoofer, a HSU STF-2. I'm happy with the sound of the sub. My receiver is a two channel HK 3480 that drives Kef 103.2 loudspeakers. The HK does not have bass management, but it does have two sub outputs.
As I understand it, the sub outs send a full range signal to the sub and a full signal to the speakers. I'm curious to know if diverting the low bass signals from from the Kefs will improve their sound?

I think I can achieve this two ways,
Run the speaker out to the high level inputs. connect the speakers to the output from the sub. If I then set the crossover on the sub to 80, am I correct in assuming this will send only signals above 80 to the speakers?

My other option is to buy a high pass filter from HSU for $100. The high pass filter will do what I want, but it will require a custom rca cable that will sum left/right signals to mono. HSU can make the cable for $30.

Any thoughts? Will diverting the low bass signals really make a difference in how the KEFs reproduce mid and high frequencies?

Thanks

Steve

 

[mike c]

yes, separating the bass signals from the speakers will improve sound in theory.

unfortunately, the HSU sub doesn't have highpassed speaker level outs (at least AFAIK)

if you set the HSU sub to 80, it will only lowpass the sub, but not highpass the speakers.

 

[gixxerific]

yes they will sound better. If you pass the lows to the sub than your Kef's will not be trying to reproduce those frequencies, leaving them more room to do what they do best.

 

[sjbraun]

STF-2 connections

Mike,

Will this approach work?

Run the speaker out to the high level inputs. connect the speakers to the output from the sub. If I then set the crossover on the sub to 80, am I correct in assuming this will send only signals above 80 to the speakers?

Or will I need to pony up the $$ for the HSU high pass crossover and cable.

The HSU sub has an RCA sub in port, high level inputs (from amplifier) and outputs to speakers, though HSU recommends using these only if a reciever lacks a sub out.

Thanks

 

[lsiberian]

I just purchased my first subwoofer, a HSU STF-2. I'm happy with the sound of the sub. My receiver is a two channel HK 3480 that drives Kef 103.2 loudspeakers. The HK does not have bass management, but it does have two sub outputs.
As I understand it, the sub outs send a full range signal to the sub and a full signal to the speakers. I'm curious to know if diverting the low bass signals from from the Kefs will improve their sound?

I think I can achieve this two ways,
Run the speaker out to the high level inputs. connect the speakers to the output from the sub. If I then set the crossover on the sub to 80, am I correct in assuming this will send only signals above 80 to the speakers?

My other option is to buy a high pass filter from HSU for $100. The high pass filter will do what I want, but it will require a custom rca cable that will sum left/right signals to mono. HSU can make the cable for $30.

Any thoughts? Will diverting the low bass signals really make a difference in how the KEFs reproduce mid and high frequencies?

Thanks

Steve

does your receiver have a sub volume. If I max mine out on the receiver it sounds way better.

 

[TLS Guy]

I just purchased my first subwoofer, a HSU STF-2. I'm happy with the sound of the sub. My receiver is a two channel HK 3480 that drives Kef 103.2 loudspeakers. The HK does not have bass management, but it does have two sub outputs.
As I understand it, the sub outs send a full range signal to the sub and a full signal to the speakers. I'm curious to know if diverting the low bass signals from from the Kefs will improve their sound?

I think I can achieve this two ways,
Run the speaker out to the high level inputs. connect the speakers to the output from the sub. If I then set the crossover on the sub to 80, am I correct in assuming this will send only signals above 80 to the speakers?

My other option is to buy a high pass filter from HSU for $100. The high pass filter will do what I want, but it will require a custom rca cable that will sum left/right signals to mono. HSU can make the cable for $30.

Any thoughts? Will diverting the low bass signals really make a difference in how the KEFs reproduce mid and high frequencies?

Thanks

Steve

Those speakers will be fine without cutting out the bass. They are sealed and roll off 12 db per octave below 60 Hz, so set you sun crossover to 60 Hz, and you will have a perfect splice. If you start crossing over from the sub you will have fourth order roll off on the KEFs and second order on the sub. That will be a much poorer splice. I believe those speakers have overload protection in the crossover also.

Those speakers were manufactured before the brand was adulterated by Far Eastern owners from Hong Kong in 1992.

 

[WmAx]

I just purchased my first subwoofer, a HSU STF-2. I'm happy with the sound of the sub. My receiver is a two channel HK 3480 that drives Kef 103.2 loudspeakers. The HK does not have bass management, but it does have two sub outputs.
As I understand it, the sub outs send a full range signal to the sub and a full signal to the speakers. I'm curious to know if diverting the low bass signals from from the Kefs will improve their sound?

I think I can achieve this two ways,
Run the speaker out to the high level inputs. connect the speakers to the output from the sub. If I then set the crossover on the sub to 80, am I correct in assuming this will send only signals above 80 to the speakers?

My other option is to buy a high pass filter from HSU for $100. The high pass filter will do what I want, but it will require a custom rca cable that will sum left/right signals to mono. HSU can make the cable for $30.

Any thoughts? Will diverting the low bass signals really make a difference in how the KEFs reproduce mid and high frequencies?

Thanks

Steve

You are in luck. It appears this receiver has a pre-out and amp in on the back, with a jumper connecting them.

You can remove these jumpers and insert a Behringer CX2310 active crossover and properly divert the appropriate frequencies to each speaker and sub set if the receiver does not have sufficient built in active crossover. CX2310 has highly variable frequency settings. This is a simplified(but high quality) analog unit. If you want more capability and more ideal crossover function(better/ideal matching asymmetrical opposing slopes for low pass and high pass, for example, as TLS Guy correctly stated of your situation), use the Behringer DCX2496 DSP crossover, which will allow for incredible flexibility, such a being able to customize the bass signature of your subs, compensate the baffle step correction for accurate lower midrange, provide bass room correction and other sophisticated features. The DCX is scalable, and will be suited to any level of sound system of any quality at any price range and always provide sophisticated functionality that can improve virtually any set up.

-Chris

 

[mike c]

Mike,

Will this approach work?

Run the speaker out to the high level inputs. connect the speakers to the output from the sub. If I then set the crossover on the sub to 80, am I correct in assuming this will send only signals above 80 to the speakers?

Or will I need to pony up the $$ for the HSU high pass crossover and cable.

The HSU sub has an RCA sub in port, high level inputs (from amplifier) and outputs to speakers, though HSU recommends using these only if a reciever lacks a sub out.

Thanks

if i remember correctly HSU doesn't have high pass outputs whether it's speaker level or high level.

though there's a reason i mentioned that 'in theory' it will improve your speakers, i don't think it's worth it to spend for the external crossover at this level of budget.

but if you really want an external crossover, i'd second wmax's more flexible unit suggestion than the HSU crossover.

 

[WmAx]

if i remember correctly HSU doesn't have high pass outputs whether it's speaker level or high level.

though there's a reason i mentioned that 'in theory' it will improve your speakers, i don't think it's worth it to spend for the external crossover at this level of budget.

but if you really want an external crossover, i'd second wmax's more flexible unit suggestion than the HSU crossover.

In addition, if that receiver can not provide both high pass and low pass filters, so that both speakers (mains and sub(s)) are appropriately filtered, the response will never be ideal and you will always be limited by the LF limits of the mains, which will start to distort at a certain point due to running the woofers at a high rate of excursion, while the subwoofers are operating within their linear limits. Even the low cost 2310 crossover I specified will correct this issue, though I like to see the DCX2496 being used, as it has far more function/features.

-Chris

 

[sjbraun]

Thanks everyone

Okay, since I'm getting happier with the overall sound of my system since the addition of the HSU sub, I guess I'll leave everything as is.

Steve