Def. Tech Fronts - LFE Question

[Pelican170]

Hey Guys,

I have a buddy who just got a Def. Tech system and he got the 7004's for fronts, but does not have a dedicated sub as he is planning on just using the fronts. My suggestion was to get a sub but for now, would you recommend using the LFE Inputs on the fronts to the receiver or just use the standard wiring which will also do the LFE, or is there a difference really? Any suggestions?

[Rblu-Dblu]

I used the lfe inputs on the towers until I got a sub.

[Lacit170]

Originally Posted by Rblu-Dblu

I used the lfe inputs on the towers until I got a sub.

is there any benefit to using the lfe inputs?

[Rblu-Dblu]

i think it gave more response from the subs

[J.H.]

Yes I have had Def Techs forever now. Great speakers he is going to LOVE them trust me. Using the LFE inputs will send the actual .1 in 5.1 LFE info to the subs directly. It will creat a tighter more disciplined bass. It will be a much deeper bass. I had might like this until I got a Supercube II which is a very nice sub. I'd suggest he get a dedicated sub at some point. A dedicated sub working with the 7004 will make for beautiful overall sound and deep,deep LFE. JC

[Lacit170]

Originally Posted by J.H.

Yes I have had Def Techs forever now. Great speakers he is going to LOVE them trust me. Using the LFE inputs will send the actual .1 in 5.1 LFE info to the subs directly. It will creat a tighter more disciplined bass. It will be a much deeper bass. I had might like this until I got a Supercube II which is a very nice sub. I'd suggest he get a dedicated sub at some point. A dedicated sub working with the 7004 will make for beautiful overall sound and deep,deep LFE. JC

is there anyway to turn the subs down or off on those speakers??

[JENKS]

Originally Posted by Lacit170

is there anyway to turn the subs down or off on those speakers??

If they are like the 7002's that I have, the gain for the subs is on the back of the towers and could be turned all the way down. If you want them off just don't plug in the amplifier power cord.

[JENKS]

Originally Posted by J.H.

Yes I have had Def Techs forever now. Great speakers he is going to LOVE them trust me. Using the LFE inputs will send the actual .1 in 5.1 LFE info to the subs directly. It will creat a tighter more disciplined bass. It will be a much deeper bass. I had might like this until I got a Supercube II which is a very nice sub. I'd suggest he get a dedicated sub at some point. A dedicated sub working with the 7004 will make for beautiful overall sound and deep,deep LFE. JC

I have never used the lfe's, but if it makes that much of a difference I will have to try it.

[J.H.]

Yes of coarse there is a dial on the back of the speaker at the bottom. You can turn it up or down. I have mine on about 25% and it rocks the house. Great speakers.

[JENKS]

Originally Posted by J.H.

Yes of coarse there is a dial on the back of the speaker at the bottom. You can turn it up or down. I have mine on about 25% and it rocks the house. Great speakers.

Which speakers do you have?

[victorvondoom88]

Yes I would recommend using the LFE inputs as well as setting them to large in the receiver options. Hope this helps it's straight from the manual.
From the manual:

Your BP7002/BP7004/BP7006s have a set of speaker level (high level) 5-way binding posts and in addition, each speaker has an LFE input. This input can be used with Dolby Digital* and DTS* 5.1 (6.1, 7.1) decoders to separately feed the discrete “Low Frequency Effects” channel into each subwoofer (which then combines with the low bass present separately in the left or right channel signals).
Unlike a conventional system, where the subwoofer is driven only by an LFE
subwoofer signal, the BP7002/ BP7004/BP7006s are much more sophisticated
and are driven by the left or right channel signal as well as the LFE signal.

Using the LFE Input on Your BP7002/BP7004/BP7006s
With Dolby Digital or DTS, you have the option to use the low level LFE inpu
in addition to the speaker wires. To do this, simply use a “Y” connector (available
from your dealer) out of the LFE output on your receiver or processor to feed two
line level cables, connecting one to the LFE input on your left BP7002/BP7004/
BP7006 and the other to the LFE input on your right speaker. “Tell” your bass
management system that you have “large” left and right front speakers and
“Yes” subwoofer.

Setting low-frequency balance when using separate LFE input:

We suggest that when you are using a separate LFE input, you set the bass level
on your BP7002/BP7004/BP7006s to sound balanced when listening to music in
stereo and use the .1 channel or bass level control in your Dolby Digital channel
balancing procedure on your decoder to raise or lower the bass level for movie
sound effects as you require.
Normally the level control of the left speaker will be set the same as the level
control of the right speaker. However, these controls can also be set differently on
the two speakers in order to allow you to vary the response of left and right
speakers separately to compensate for variations and asymmetrical positioning of
the left and right speakers in your room (i.e., when one is closer to a side wall or
corner, etc.) if this is how you must set them up. This is a very unique and useful
feature which allows you much greater flexibility in loudspeaker placement, as well
as the ability to optimize what could otherwise be difficult placement situations.
Setting Low-Frequency Balance When Using
Separate LFE Input

Adding an separate sub:

Although the built-in subwoofers in your BP7002/BP7004/BP7006s deliver
superb low frequency response and are all that are required for amazing
performance, some listeners go for the ultimate performance and add an additional
powered subwoofer to their system. If you choose to do so, we strongly suggest
using a Definitive PowerField SuperCube, PowerField or ProSub in order to
achieve the highest level of sound quality possible. This should be driven with an
additional RCA low-level cable connected to the LFE output of your receiver or
processor. Your receiver or decoder’s bass management system should still be set
to “Large” left and right main speakers and “Yes” subwoofer.
Using your BP7002/BP7004/BP7006 with
an Additional Subwoofer

[JENKS]

Thanks for the info victor. I have had my speakers set to large since I got them and have had plenty of bass. What will using the LFE's do for me?

[J.H.]

Originally Posted by JENKS

Which speakers do you have?

I have 7002's,BPVX for surrounds and CLR2000 for center channel and the Supercube II. Sound is fantastic. Its gorgeous with music [DTS CD,DVD-AUDIO and DPLII] and incredible with movies. Blu-ray DTS-HDMA and Dolby TrueHD really brings out something special with these speakers. I also have a pair of Mythos ONES for the bedroom. JC

[JENKS]

Originally Posted by J.H.

I have 7002's,BPVX for surrounds and CLR2000 for center channel and the Supercube II. Sound is fantastic. Its gorgeous with music [DTS CD,DVD-AUDIO and DPLII] and incredible with movies. Blu-ray DTS-HDMA and Dolby TrueHD really brings out something special with these speakers. I also have a pair of Mythos ONES for the bedroom. JC

Cool since you noticed such a big difference I am going to have to give the lfe's a try. Thanks for the info!

[J.H.]

I think it was a big difference and its just 2 cables and a Y connector I think its called? Its the right way to go if you don't have a dedicated Sub. Give it a try. JC

[victorvondoom88]

Originally Posted by JENKS

Thanks for the info victor. I have had my speakers set to large since I got them and have had plenty of bass. What will using the LFE's do for me?

Well right now you are just getting 5.0 if you hook up the LFE input and set your settings to Large and Yes to subwoofer you will be getting the full 5.1 soundtrack.
The .1 channels is a discrete low frequency channel right now you aren't getting the full effect of that channel if you are getting the info from that channel at all.

[Big Daddy]

You have to distinguish between the LFE (.1) bass and the bass that goes to the other speakers. Theoretically, all 5 channels receive full range signals. What comes out of the subwoofer is the LFE (.1) channel (put there by sound engineers) plus the redirected bass below the high pass filters (crossovers) from the speakers that are set to SMALL.

It is also important to remember that the LFE (.1) channel has signals up to 120Hz. That is why the Low Pass Filter (LPF) of the LFE channel should be set to 120Hz in the receiver's menu.

Unfortunately, receivers do bass management differently, depending on the age of the receiver and/or the manufacturer. In general, we can make the following conclusions.

Case 1.
Set all speakers to LARGE
Subwoofer: NO

There will be not any sound through the LFE channel. The LFE (.1) bass will be redirected to the front speakers.

Case 2.
Set all speakers to LARGE
Subwoofer: YES (if the receiver allows this)

The subwoofer receives the LFE (.1) information. All other speakers receive their full range frequencies.

Case 3.
Set the front speakers to LARGE. All other speakers to SMALL.
Subwoofer: NO

The front speakers receive the redirected LFE (.1) channel plus the redirected bass from the other speakers.

Case 4.
Set front speakers to LARGE. All other speakers to SMALL.
Subwoofer: YES

The front speakers receive their full range signals. The subwoofer receives the LFE (.1) channel plus the redirected bass below the high pass filters (crossovers) of the speakers that are set to SMALL.

Case 5.
Set the front and all other speakers to SMALL.

In this case, the subwoofer has to be set to YES. Most, if not all, receivers will set it to YES by default.

The speakers receive the signals above the high pass filters (crossovers). The subwoofer receives the LFE (.1) channel plus the redirected bass from all the speakers, including the front speakers.

[JENKS]

Originally Posted by victorvondoom88

Well right now you are just getting 5.0 if you hook up the LFE input and set your settings to Large and Yes to subwoofer you will be getting the full 5.1 soundtrack.
The .1 channels is a discrete low frequency channel right now you aren't getting the full effect of that channel if you are getting the info from that channel at all.

I see.

[JENKS]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

You have to distinguish between the LFE (.1) bass and the bass that goes to the other speakers. Theoretically, all 5 channels receive full range signals. What comes out of the subwoofer is the LFE (.1) channel (put there by sound engineers) plus the redirected bass below the high pass filters (crossovers) from the speakers that are set to SMALL.

It is also important to remember that the LFE (.1) channel has signals up to 120Hz. That is why the Low Pass Filter (LPF) of the LFE channel should be set to 120Hz in the receiver's menu.

Unfortunately, receivers do bass management differently, depending on the age of the receiver and/or the manufacturer. In general, we can make the following conclusions.

Case 1.
Set all speakers to LARGE
Subwoofer: NO

There will be not any sound through the LFE channel. The LFE (.1) bass will be redirected to the front speakers.

Case 2.
Set all speakers to LARGE
Subwoofer: YES (if the receiver allows this)

The subwoofer receives the LFE (.1) information. All other speakers receive their full range frequencies.

Case 3.
Set the front speakers to LARGE. All other speakers to SMALL.
Subwoofer: NO

The front speakers receive the redirected LFE (.1) channel plus the redirected bass from the other speakers.

Case 4.
Set front speakers to LARGE. All other speakers to SMALL.
Subwoofer: YES

The front speakers receive their full range signals. The subwoofer receives the LFE (.1) channel plus the redirected bass below the high pass filters (crossovers) of the speakers that are set to SMALL.

Case 5.
Set the front and all other speakers to SMALL.

In this case, the subwoofer has to be set to YES. Most, if not all, receivers will set it to YES by default.

The speakers receive the signals above the high pass filters (crossovers). The subwoofer receives the LFE (.1) channel plus the redirected bass from all the speakers, including the front speakers.

So big daddy I see you have a denon 4308 I have the 3808. I should set all speakers to large and subwoofer to yes as victor stated?

[JENKS]

What kind of y cable, and regular cables do you guys recommend?