2 inputs or one

[browndk26]

Does having 2 inputs on a sub make it better than a sub with 1 input?

[Johk]

Originally Posted by browndk26

Does having 2 inputs on a sub make it better than a sub with 1 input?

It depends if your receiver has an LFE pre-out or not.

If your sub has an LFE pre-out you basically connect the pre-out to one of the inputs. You can use the two inputs with a Y-adapter/cable but in that case you're feeding the sub with the same signal twice.

If your sub has no LFE pre-out but has Left and Right pre-outs you can connect these to the two inputs on the sub, set the speakers to Large and adjust the sub crossover has needed.

So all in all having two inputs on your sub is good but it's not a must have if your receiver has a LFE pre-out.

[Fors*]

There is a reported 3-6 db increase in output if you use a Y-splitter with the L/R pre-outs....but this doesn't provide any add'l headroom however.

[BluBrown]

I have an opposite question of sorts....I have an Onkyo 607 with 2 sub pre-outs and my Energy S10.3 sub has only one input. Would there be any advantage to putting a Y splitter on the receiver and running both outs into one sub? Is this even possible? Would it damage my sub if I tried it? Thanks! Don't wanna take over the thread, I just thought it'd be a good place to ask.

[beefytwinkie]

Originally Posted by forsberg21

There is a reported 3-6 db increase in output if you use a Y-splitter with the L/R pre-outs....but this doesn't provide any add'l headroom however.

What is "headroom"? Common sense tells me it has something to do with playing the sub louder without blowing/clipping the driver but I'm not sure.

[Johk]

Originally Posted by BluBrown

I have an opposite question of sorts....I have an Onkyo 607 with 2 sub pre-outs and my Energy S10.3 sub has only one input. Would there be any advantage to putting a Y splitter on the receiver and running both outs into one sub? Is this even possible? Would it damage my sub if I tried it? Thanks! Don't wanna take over the thread, I just thought it'd be a good place to ask.

I believe that for the 607 the sub pre-outs are both use the same settings therefore they are basically an integrated y-splitter. So using another Y-splitter would be a bit pointless.

If the sub pre-outs are managed individually, with separate level and phase adjustment (I don't know exactly which receiver has that), it would be designed for use with two subwoofers (or more) allowing to perhaps automatically set the levels and phase for the individual subs.

[Stickman032]

I use a Y-Adapter cause I was told it Turns on the Auto-On Quicker and it does.

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by beefytwinkie

What is "headroom"? Common sense tells me it has something to do with playing the sub louder without blowing/clipping the driver but I'm not sure.

Yep, that is pretty much it.

[BluBrown]

Originally Posted by Johk

I believe that for the 607 the sub pre-outs are both use the same settings therefore they are basically an integrated y-splitter. So using another Y-splitter would be a bit pointless.

That's kinda what I figured but just thought I'd ask in case someone knew something that I don't since I am by no means an expert when it comes to audio. Thanks

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by Johk

It depends if your receiver has an LFE pre-out or not.

If your sub has an LFE pre-out you basically connect the pre-out to one of the inputs. You can use the two inputs with a Y-adapter/cable but in that case you're feeding the sub with the same signal twice.

If your sub has no LFE pre-out but has Left and Right pre-outs you can connect these to the two inputs on the sub, set the speakers to Large and adjust the sub crossover has needed.

So all in all having two inputs on your sub is good but it's not a must have if your receiver has a LFE pre-out.

I want to add to John's excellent post.

If your subwoofer has only two inputs (left and right) and you decide to connect a sub cable from the LFE output of the receiver to the left channel or to both of them with a Y cable, you must manually turn the crossover dial on the back of the sub all the way up to the maximum point and let the receiver take care of the crossovers.

If the subwoofer has a dedicated LFE input and you connect a sub cable from the receiver's LFE output to it, this setup will automatically bypass the internal crossover of the subwoofer.