what cable do you use for your sub and does it matter?

[mustang-gt-2002]

for my front two 12" infinity subwoofers I have cheap RCA cables. the back two are yamaha 8" subwoofers and they are on the surround sound monster cable speaker wire. do subwoofer cables matter?

[fronn]

I actually use some nice Component cables I had that are separated for my coax/rca needs. It's probably the cheapest way to get them (as you get 3!).

Subs are probably some of the most forgiving as far as the cable quality goes, iirc (the frequencies sent to Subs are less susceptible to tainting than those sent to normal speakers).

[allstar780]

any solid-core cable should do the trick... there are sub cables out there but im not sure if they offer any enhancement over, say, regular stereo RCA cables

[Krafticus]

I saw this thread, and that made we wonder.

The cable I have in the back of the receiver to the sub has single connector on each end. I see some say RCA cables, and I would assume dual connectors on each end.

Is there a benefit to either cable running to the sub? I have a Klipsch RW-8 and a Denon 3805, and haven't been too impressed with the bass.

[allstar780]

the RW-8 doesnt have very impressive bass at all... it's okay for the price but its nothing special really...

but your reciever only has one sub output anyways, some "sub" cables are a Y and they take that single output and split it to dual to fill both plugs on the back of your sub, or to run to 2 subs... there is no benefit as far as i know in running the Y, as it is the exact same source running to the exact same sub

[DavePS3]

Absolutely does not matter. You can even use RG59 with F to RCA adaptors but whichever way you go, make sure you use a female to twin RCA Y adaptor if your sub has both RCA inputs. You'll hear the difference going into both inputs.

[Krafticus]

Originally Posted by allstar780

the RW-8 doesnt have very impressive bass at all... it's okay for the price but its nothing special really...

but your reciever only has one sub output anyways, some "sub" cables are a Y and they take that single output and split it to dual to fill both plugs on the back of your sub, or to run to 2 subs... there is no benefit as far as i know in running the Y, as it is the exact same source running to the exact same sub

Thank you very much, that helps very much. I hope to upgrade someday, but the TV and Receiver need to happen first.

Thank you again.

Mark

[Beta Man]

As far as "does it matter" I'd say "no" I used an old RCA cable before picking up a cheap cable on Monoprice, and notice no difference.....

Side by side, Def-tech reference series (14") connected with $3.00 RCA cable, was no different when I connected it with the Gold-ended Sub-cable....


So I say save your money!

[Driver_King]

It shouldn't really matter. If you're doing long runs, like any wire, there will be some signal lost.

[fronn]

Originally Posted by DavePS3

Absolutely does not matter. You can even use RG59 with F to RCA adaptors but whichever way you go, make sure you use a female to twin RCA Y adaptor if your sub has both RCA inputs. You'll hear the difference going into both inputs.

It'll only be a gain difference, as far as I know. Quality won't be improved, merely volume as the applied voltage is doubled. If you don't have a cable on hand, I wouldn't recommend going to get one. 6db or so gain? -- you can do the same by just cranking the gain knob on the amp or in the bass management of your receiver.

[kingofgrills]

Subwoofer cables, which are analog, absolutely do matter. I used to use a cheapie subwoofer cable in my old setup, and my old sub had a bit of boominess to it that always irked me. I then bought a subwoofer cable from bluejeanscable, and the boominess went away. The subs lower end was noticeably deeper as well. I swapped it back out and played the same track to make sure we weren't hearing things, and the muddled boominess returned.

With digital cables, such as HDMI, digital optical, or digital coaxial, I'm sure a cheap place like monoprice is fine. However with analog cables it is possible for poor insulation or other factors to influence the signal and therefore influence the sound. Don't get me wrong - swapping a cable for the sake of swapping it probably won't improve anything unless something is already wrong to begin with.

If you're interested in a sub cable, check out www.bluejeanscable.com . They're very reasonably priced, and they make excellent cables.

[Elvis Is Alive]

Originally Posted by fronn

It'll only be a gain difference, as far as I know. Quality won't be improved, merely volume as the applied voltage is doubled. If you don't have a cable on hand, I wouldn't recommend going to get one. 6db or so gain? -- you can do the same by just cranking the gain knob on the amp or in the bass management of your receiver.

I use the y splitter with my sub because it helps my sub amp turn on at lower volume levels due to increase in gain.

[crackinhedz]

6ft subwoofer cable

...and be done with it.

[hagar852]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

6ft subwoofer cable

...and be done with it.

+1

But I baught the 12ft one.

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by hagar852

But I baught the 12ft one.

[CAB]

6m Nordost Blue Heaven XLR. It's all about Balance(d).

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by CAB

6m Nordost Blue Heaven XLR. It's all about Balance(d).

[fronn]

Originally Posted by KingLeerUK

Using only the Left line-level input will yield the same performance as feeding both the L/R inputs.

I think you may need to test it for yourself. Left line input is almost always acts as the trigger for the auto mode (as you said), but feeding both inputs does give a gain increase, at least on some amps.

I have an amp sitting at home in my room that does that.

[richteer]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

Some subs have balanced line-level inputs, so if your preamp has balanced outputs, using a balanced cable makes sense.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by richteer

Some subs have balanced line-level inputs, so if your preamp has balanced outputs, using a balanced cable makes sense.

gotcha.... thanks!