A couple of questions on running two subs

[ozzman]

I made a decision with some help from some friends on this forum to Keep my Paradigm dsp-3100 and buy a second one. Now i have one on the left of my plasma and one on the right.I know the new sub needs a little breaking in But here are my questions

1) Should i keep them at the same level.(Does this matter?)
On the right side by my front speaker there is an entrance and i have my right speaker turned up +2.5 more then my left speaker,will this kind of be the same thing with my subs.Turning the right up more then the left sub?

2)I bought a male Y connector that i put in the back of my reciever to have Two running subs.Then bought two female Y connectors to plug in the back of my subs.Before i just had one cable plugged in the "left" on the sub.Now i have Left and the right plugged in.What will this do for me in sound quality,If anything.

I hope this makes sense and iam saying what i want without confusing you guy's

All opinions are welcome Thank you

http://www.paradigm.com/en/paradigm/...-4-17.paradigm

[prerich]

Originally Posted by ozzman

I made a decision with some help from some friends on this forum to Keep my Paradigm dsp-3100 and buy a second one. Now i have one one the left of my plasma and one on the right.I know the new sub needs a little breaking in But here are my questions

1) Should i keep them at the same level.(Does this matter?)
On the right side by my front speaker there is an entrance and i have my right speaker turned up +2.5 more then my left speaker,will this kind of be the same thing with my subs.Turning the right up more then the left sub?

2)I bought a Female Y connector that i put in the back of my reciever to have Two running subs.Then bought two male Y connectors to plug in the back of my subs.Before i just had one cable plugged in the "left" on the sub.Now i have Left and the right plugged in.What will this do for me in sound quality,If anything.

I hope this makes sense and iam saying what i want without confusing you guy's

All opinions are welcome Thank you

http://www.paradigm.com/en/paradigm/...-4-17.paradigm

First of all Ozz......THATS JUST KILLER!!!!! I'M IMPRESSED!!!!!!! Especially since I know you have M-5si's upfront (already capable of subwoofer type bass)!!!

1. The subs are getting the same signal (not a stereo one) so if you can audibally notice that one is softer than the other - by all means turn it up. Get your meter and take indiviual mesurments around the room if you have time. What do you have them crossed-over at? With a Bass producing system like that - I would crossover and nothing higher than 60hz!!!! That's just sick!!!!!

2. It doesn't make a difference if its in the right or left if I'm not mistaken - its a mono signal anyway!!!! Watch your breakables in the house - you can move things with this type of power - trust me, I know!!!!!

My question....Young padawan, such power are you ready? Tempting the darkside is.

[ozzman]

Brother i have them set to 60HZ. And i have the cable in the left and right at the same time(useing Y connector)I heard some where this will produce a little more bass for each sub?

When i hooked up the second sub i set it just like i had the first one set.
Wow,It knocked me on my ass.My ears actually popped when i left the room ( now thats sick ) I had to turn them both down.

I think i have to wait until the new sub is broken in before i start figuring out the levels for the two.What do you think?
You were right, thats a lot of power.Iam happy i went this route brother and thanks again.

Watching Black Hawk Down tonight.Sorry St.Catharines

[Big Daddy]

Congratulations on your new subs.

1. If the subs are identical, it is a good idea to run both of them at the same level. However, the second sub needs a couple of weeks of breaking-in period.

2. Some claim that connecting both Right and Left on a sub improves bass response.

"Attach this cable to an existing subwoofer cable to split the signal into two inputs. Instantly improves your home theater or home audio experience
Many subwoofers have increased clarity and bass response when both inputs are fed with a mono signal."
http://www.bettercables.com/subwoofe...ter-cable.aspx

"Why, oh why do you need a subwoofer Y cable? Most AV receivers come with a single sub output while most powered subwoofers come equipped with left & right inputs. By using a subwoofer Y cable for both the left and right subwoofer input, you can increase the bass output of your subwoofer by about 3dB."
http://www.aperionaudio.com/product/...52,39,155.aspx

3. Placing two subwoofers in a small home theater room requires some experimenting. Read
A Guide to Subwoofers and A Guide to Subwoofers (Part II). They have a few sections on the benefits of two subs and placement of multiple subs.

P.S. When are you going to invite us over for a demonstration?

[Driver_King]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

"Why, oh why do you need a subwoofer Y cable? Most AV receivers come with a single sub output while most powered subwoofers come equipped with left & right inputs. By using a subwoofer Y cable for both the left and right subwoofer input, you can increase the bass output of your subwoofer by about 3dB."
http://www.aperionaudio.com/product/...52,39,155.aspx

So using an adapter yields better results? I thought using either or would be the same as using both.

[ozzman]

Thanks Big Daddy for taking the time to answer and throw out some threads for me.

Much appreciated, OZZMAN

[ozzman]

Any Suggestion would be helpful....Iam running Mirage M-5si

1)Running fronts large crossover 60hz?

2)running fronts small crossover for the two subs 80hz?

3)Running the speakers small crossover 60hz?

4) (need a refresher) running them SMALL can i still cross them over at 60hz,will i still get bass to cover over 60hz on my fronts?(I hope thats not a silly question)

All other speakers are set to small


http://reviews.cnet.com/separate-spe...-col;main-full

http://www.audioreview.com/cat/speak...0_2743crx.aspx

http://www.epinions.com/elec_Home_Sp...ay_~full_specs

[CasualKiller]

Originally Posted by Driver_King

So using an adapter yields better results? I thought using either or would be the same as using both.

False information, the reason for the 2 plugs is so you can daisy chain multiple subs, connecting with a "Y" adapter does nothing for volume levels or enhancing the audio etc.
Think of it as one input, one output.

[ozzman]

I been screwing around with my setup and i find the best way(For sound) is to set my fronts to small and cross the sub at 80HZ.

Big difference useing two subs up front.My sound for Music and Movies sound more even and complete.I recommend to anyone that has only one sub and is thinking about getting Two,To go for it.
For some reason it always felt like i was missing something and i think i found it in a second sub.

Now my Subs only go down to 24hz and i sacerficed the low HZ out of one sub for the tight clean,Powerful bass of two Paradigm DSP-3100. And price was right (550 Canadian no tax for each sub).

I've Been Listening to the subs for a couple of days straight now and iam very happy with my decision. Iam only useing about 35% of the volume on both subs.
Knowing i can turn them up and shake the walls is a good feeling but useing that 35% volume give me a nice even sound stage I have to tell you Boy's i love it

[obiwopkenobi62]

I run dual subs and love it.

[aramis109]

Originally Posted by CasualKiller

False information, the reason for the 2 plugs is so you can daisy chain multiple subs, connecting with a "Y" adapter does nothing for volume levels or enhancing the audio etc.
Think of it as one input, one output.

Sorry, but I disagree. I have a y-adapter and after reading here that you don't need it I unplugged it for a few days. I watched The Godfather, a few other flicks and noticed my bass response wasn't as much as normal. I figured that was just because it was an older movie that wasn't mixed as aggressively. Then I remembered the cable. Plugged it back in and I personally did experience a difference right away.

Best thing is to try it for yourself. Some may, some may not. I found that it did.

Also, just wondering with two subs- would you need to run one out of phase? Wondering if you had played with that at all- I've never messed with a two-sub setup, but was curious if they'd cancel each other out a bit. Killer sub though!

[ozzman]

Both Subs are set to 0 phase .if i had a sub facing my front speakers somewhere in the back i would probably set the sub phase at 180.

A paradigm representative was at the audio shop when i purchased the second sub i told him how i was setting my subs up (in the front) and he told me set them at 0,and thats what i did and they sound great

About using a Y connector on the back of the sub i remember the Paradigm representative telling me it would increase my bass by +3db just like Big Daddy said

[CasualKiller]

NVMD, going to dig out my splitter and test before I post.

[ozzman]

Casual Killer
Iam not saying your wrong.You could be right.But talking to the Paradigm representative he told me different. Now i would expect him to tell me the truth because he wants me to use the sub's correctly and get the most out of his product.
Him being a representative for Paradigm i tend too believe him

[CasualKiller]

So after some extensive reading it all boils down to this:

Some claim that using the Y splitter doubles the LFE signal and does produce a 3 db increase. This is from the Y splitter increasing the voltage to the inputs.

So I was wrong, it can make a difference.

However reading further on the same effect can achieved by simply turning up the subs volume from your receiver, saving you xxx amount of dollars on the splitter.

Here's a quote from some great reading material located on:

http://www.avforums.com/forums/subwo...ter-cable.html

If you take ONE RCA cable and plug it in and measure the output you get a 0dB reference. If you take a Y cord and plug in the 2nd input you get 6dB more. That's VOLTAGE. (that also is 4 x the power)
When you change ANY signal 3dB, (you are adjusting a volume control or gain control) that doubles or halves the power... going from 1 watt to 2 watts is 3dB; going from 10,000 watts to 20,000 watts is 3dB.

So just to clarify it comes down to personal preference, you can either use a splitter or adjust your subs volume level in your receivers menu for the same result.

[TENSE]

i dont think you are ready to handle such power yet my friend!

[ozzman]

CasualKiller,
I was told to always use the volume on the sub,Never start turning up the volume for your sub on the reciever .Drawing more power form the AVR.It makes sense too me because of the subs being powered with there own amplifiers.

Tense,
Iam ready willing and able for such power my friend.I just don't think my wife is.LOL

[prerich]

Originally Posted by ozzman

CasualKiller,
I was told to always use the volume on the sub,Never start turning up the volume on the reciever .Drawing more power form the AVR.It makes sense too me because of the subs being powered with there own amplifiers.

Tense,
Iam ready willing and able for such power my friend.I just don't think my wife is.LOL

Glad to hear it has been successful for you kind sir. Yes, your phase should be at 0 if the subs are located near or in the same "field" as your mains. Have you noticed how smooth the bass response is with 2 subs instead of just 1? Just fabulous!!!!

[ozzman]

You know i noticed how smooth the bass response is.

It's a beautiful thing.I feel like i just gave my system steel balls.The Bass surrounds me(equally) or i could even say right at me,in my face kind of bass.(Love It)

I could tell you my systems done, but you and I know there's one more speaker that has to be replaced too have a complete system to my satisfaction( MC-SI).I know i'll get it when iam suppose too

But to date my system sounds amazing.Iam very pleased my friend .You know Prerich after i talked to you there was no turning back,Thanks again,Your the man, Brother

The quote of the day"I FEEL LIKE I GAVE MY SYSTEM STEEL BALLS"

[Homer_Skins]

Hi gang,

I run 3 subs and dig it. As for the Y-Splitter. I was told run the mono signal into both the left and right because subs have that auto shutdown feature and sometimes the signal coming in is too low to immediately auto-power on the sub.

As for turning up your volume on your sub either from the AVR or the volume control on the sub. I was also told that it is better to use the AVR because that is just a 'line level' signal and so when you up the level you are not truly sucking the watts like the other non-powered speakers. Make sense?

As for crossover frequencies. I have my subs at 80Hz and the fronts are set to large because they are big.

Skins