Renaissance audio

[soundwave628]

I saw a local craigslist ad for a phantom subwoofer by renaissance audio out of brookline, ma. anyone ever heard of them? seems too good to be true wondering if its worth getting if it works.

[soundwave628]

so I'm meeting the guy tuesday to look at a used one of these

http://www.renaudio.com/homeaudio/Phantom.htm

I'm not sure how many years old it is, he says it works but he has nothing to hook it up to to listen to it, but the amp gets power. If this works for $200 I think it will be a great deal and match my epik legend nicely

[theJman]

The sub has a bit of a home-made look to it, to be honest. But the manufacturer lists it as $1800 MSRP, so if you're getting a working unit for $200 that's quite a savings. Depending how old it is, and how it works, that could potentially be a good deal.

[soundwave628]

I read a little of the website and I guess renaissance used to be part of morel audio which was partners with dynaudio so I have high hopes.

[Tom V.]

I didn't see a picture of the amp but if it has speaker level inputs I would try to bring along SOMETHING that you can test the sub with. Any old 2 channel receiver for example. Just hook up the left or right channel. At least you'll know if the amp turns on and if the active driver works. Also, take a close look at the surrounds on both the driver and the PR. If something sits for years those may degrade a bit. If you like DIYing stuff it might be worth $200 even if it doesn't work though.

Tom V.

[soundwave628]

so just leave the LPF on max and play something through it? that wont be bad for it playing it like a normal speaker? that is more feasible for me than bring my avr receiver. I have a small older onkyo 2channel setup with my PC with a cable that ends in a 3.5mm so I could just bring that and my ipod.

[Tom V.]

Originally Posted by soundwave628

so just leave the LPF on max and play something through it? that wont be bad for it playing it like a normal speaker? that is more feasible for me than bring my avr receiver. I have a small older onkyo 2channel setup with my PC with a cable that ends in a 3.5mm so I could just bring that and my ipod.

As long as the subwoofer amp has speaker level inputs. You probably should hook up both channels(left and right) as some older two channel receiver may not like just having one channel connected.

I just googled diagram for this and here's an easy to follow link----goto page 4.


http://www.jbl.com/resources/Brands/...120V)%20OM.pdf

Tom V.

[soundwave628]

so I got it, it worked fine. the box has some chips but it's built really well and is super thick so they weren't a problem. I have it under a coffee table to the left of my couch with the active driver firing into the couch. I did this because the Legend is up front to the right, will this be a problem with it kinda firing into my couch?
I have to fool with it more during the week but I did play the phase on each sub a little, one way sounds louder but almost more bloated, the other the bass isn't as strong.

[Tom V.]

Originally Posted by soundwave628

so I got it, it worked fine. the box has some chips but it's built really well and is super thick so they weren't a problem. I have it under a coffee table to the left of my couch with the active driver firing into the couch. I did this because the Legend is up front to the right, will this be a problem with it kinda firing into my couch?
I have to fool with it more during the week but I did play the phase on each sub a little, one way sounds louder but almost more bloated, the other the bass isn't as strong.

Keep 3-4 inches between the driver and the couch and you should be fine. With two subs, set the phase on the primary subwoofer with the secondary subwoofer off. Once you have the phase on the primary subwoofer optimized...turn on the second sub and adjust only its phase control for max bass levels(don't change the phase setting on the first sub). If the bass levels seem too loud now simply lower the gain level(s) on the subwoofers a bit.

Tom V.

[soundwave628]

great thanks, I still need to run my advanced MCACC(which I know doesn't do much for bass) but I never really played with it enough in the beginning anyways. I'm really psyched I got this thing for $200 lol its a monster and already seems to be adding a good amount just from the few scenes of transformers 3 I played before work. I wish I had more placement options but I think this will work out ok and with it being under the end table it hides the knicks and things. Also I ordered some Y-splitters from monoprice which I never got around to doing before, but until they arrive do you think the right or left input is better to use? I didn't notice any difference but just curious.

[Tom V.]

Usually the left and right inputs simply *sum* together inside the amplifier so you won't notice a difference using either. Sometimes one(usually the Left) is labeled LFE and it MAY bypass the internal crossover and/or phase controls(on the subwoofer amp). Given the age of the sub I doubt that would be the case though.

Tom V.