B&W PV1 Subwoofer

[Maverick6161]

Does anyone know the best way to wire up the PV1 to a Pioneer Receiver. The instructions are a bit light on. Manual says run a coaxial cable (not supplied) from subwoofer (LFE out) to the line in socket on the sub. The only cable that was supplied is like a telephone/modem cable which plugs into the sub and the other end has four thin wires to connect the receiver. The only way to do this is to wire these together with the speaker cables ie: two wires connected to the same terminal. This set up is described as "2-channel audio" in the manual......please help.

[Scooby Blu]

Originally Posted by Maverick6161

Does anyone know the best way to wire up the PV1 to a Pioneer Receiver. The instructions are a bit light on. Manual says run a coaxial cable (not supplied) from subwoofer (LFE out) to the line in socket on the sub. The only cable that was supplied is like a telephone/modem cable which plugs into the sub and the other end has four thin wires to connect the receiver. The only way to do this is to wire these together with the speaker cables ie: two wires connected to the same terminal. This set up is described as "2-channel audio" in the manual......please help.

I have a B&W sub as well. Great choice ! There is a specific cable you need I don't know exactly what it's called but its a sub cable I got mine from http://www.audioquest.com/ Very nice cables indeed.

[Maverick6161]

Hi Scooby.

I take it that you wired the sub up using a single coaxial cable - sub out on receiver to line in on the sub. Did you also get the cable I referred to? You would think the guys at the hif fi shop would have advised me hey??? Will need to call them but have more faith in the guys in this forum for proper tech advice.

[Beta Man]

you really just need a single RCA type to go from the sub to receiver, but get one made for a sub specifically, as it will be higher quality.

[Scooby Blu]

Originally Posted by Maverick6161

Hi Scooby.

I take it that you wired the sub up using a single coaxial cable - sub out on receiver to line in on the sub. Did you also get the cable I referred to? You would think the guys at the hif fi shop would have advised me hey??? Will need to call them but have more faith in the guys in this forum for proper tech advice.

Well................. , I had Them wire it up for me for 75 an hour. I am a complete idiot on hooking my stuff up. Plus, to have it hooked up right is priceless. I "let" a family member "help" once and it was hooked up completly wrong ! Never again ! My main focus is watching blu rays ! Not getting to wrapped up in the tech side. That's why I love this forum I find folks that know more that me

[crackinhedz]

connect an RCA cable from Subwoofer Out on the Receiver, into (#1) Line In on the Sub.

Figure 4 in the manual

[crackinhedz]

You can use just about any single RCA cable for now, until you get a higher quality cable.

[Xmicro_Blu-ray]

DO not want to Hijack the thread, but you guys seem to know the B&W stuff well, so forgive the highjack.

Hey guys, I have the 601 series B&W Home theater speakers with the Pioneer Elite 94txh. I only have 2 fronts, the larger of the 2 available center channel speakers, and the diapole surroundson both side walls. What do you guys recommend for a separate subwoofer. I have self powered subs in my fronts, which I use, but they do not go SUPER LOW.

Questions:

1 - How much would I benefit from surrounds in the rear center (7:1)?

2 - Do I need another separate sub to get the lower lows?

3 - Which sub do you recommend from B&W? How Much?

Thanks in Advance :

[Maverick6161]

X

Have a look on the B&W website for their range of subs, and google B&W MT30 which is the theatre pack including the PV1. The PV1 is meant to be the ducks nuts and has won many awards with rave reviews. I'm still experimenting with mine for to get the best results. I have started with a relatively cheap amp/receiver being the Pioneer VSX917 which I don't think does the speakers/sub justice. I am keen to hear from anyone else with the MT30 system for recommendations/comments on the best receivers and how much difference would a better one make?

[Maverick6161]

Crack & Scooby

After talking to guy at the hi fi store today and re-reading the manual (always pays to do this) apparantly you can wire the sub up both ways (refer figure 4 and figure 5 in the PV1 manual). I have now wired the sub with an RCA cable and used telephone type cable (as per figure 5) wiring into the front speaker terminals. The manual recommends this for 2 channel stereo and sounds much better when playing music as the front speakers and sub are more in phase. I think my system is let down by my receiver but (refer previous post).....I think a better quality receiver would give a much richer and smoother sound especially for music...sounds too bright/harsh at the moment but still playing with the settings.

[btf1980]

Xmicro, I am a B&W guy through and through, but if you are shopping for subs, I would expand my view beyond B&W. I had the PV1 and it is a decent small sub, but there are many other offerings that outperform it at much lower prices. At $1,600 it's not the most expensive, but for what the PV1 is, it is overpriced. I replaced my PV1 with a REL T2 sub, and it is amazing how well the REL has performed and has outperformed the PV1 in every area, yet it's half the price. It's a very musical sub. I think REL pretty much has the best all around subs these days in terms of range, dynamics and price to performance ratio. I gauge the worthiness of a sub by how well it performs with music. Any sub can sound good with explosions and thuds, that's easy, but many faulter and sound muddy with music.

Rel T series subs

http://www.sumikoaudio.net/rel/idx_t.htm

[Xmicro_Blu-ray]

Originally Posted by btf1980

Xmicro, I am a B&W guy through and through, but if you are shopping for subs, I would expand my view beyond B&W. I had the PV1 and it is a decent small sub, but there are many other offerings that outperform it at much lower prices. At $1,600 it's not the most expensive, but for what the PV1 is, it is overpriced. I replaced my PV1 with a REL T2 sub, and it is amazing how well the REL has performed and has outperformed the PV1 in every area, yet it's half the price. It's a very musical sub. I think REL pretty much has the best all around subs these days in terms of range, dynamics and price to performance ratio. I gauge the worthiness of a sub by how well it performs with music. Any sub can sound good with explosions and thuds, that's easy, but many faulter and sound muddy with music.

Rel T series subs

http://www.sumikoaudio.net/rel/idx_t.htm

Thanks btf, that is very interesting. I too LOVE B&W and the 600 series was a steal, and I am 8 years out and they sound awesome comparing to todays technology. I was leaning toward the B&W ASW610. It is probably more evenly rated to the rest of the speakers. Although a SUB really cannot over perform is set up properly. I am heading over to a local Hi-Fi shop now and will check out the one you suggested also, thanks for an insightful write up.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by Xmicro_Blu-ray

Thanks btf, that is very interesting. I too LOVE B&W and the 600 series was a steal, and I am 8 years out and they sound awesome comparing to todays technology. I was leaning toward the B&W ASW610. It is probably more evenly rated to the rest of the speakers. Although a SUB really cannot over perform is set up properly. I am heading over to a local Hi-Fi shop now and will check out the one you suggested also, thanks for an insightful write up.

I agree.... I have 5 speakers from the 700 series, and the Dipole surrounds, but I can't justify any of the B&W subs for the money..... not saying they cost too much, just saying that for what they DO cost, there are better ones out there. B&W subs are more suited for music than HT.

What was your budget???? I'd think a 2nd series Super-Cube from Def-Tech, or a Velodyne would compliment the size of the 601's quite well.

(my sub is a little too much for my liking, and I'm working on getting a replacement)

Good luck!

[Xmicro_Blu-ray]

I wound up getting the ASW610 by B&W for about $600. A bit pricey, but it sounds so balanced ,as I knew it would. B&W is know for their series balance. This SUB is not TOO MUCH, very adjustable and fits right in with the rest of the speakers. Nice tight low sound without any distortion, which you so often here. I also picked up a set of 686 speakers for the rear surround (7:1). Now I am complete. I will run a full balance on my Pioneer, with the microphone, and get everything in line, plus a few tweeks. I tell you , there is no reason to go to a theater any more ...... EVER!!