Home cinema active subs

[dan]

If any of you out there are into dvd's and home cinema setups, then can you answer this?:confused:

Most Dolby digital amps have a single phono sub woofer out !
however all the subs ive looked at in richer sounds have 2 inputs!

The guy said thats just how they are! but i think there's more to it.

Why do they go and make an amp with a single sub out as a standard, then go and make the active subs with 2 inputs (left and right)
Anyone?:p

[Jeff]

Dolby Digital amps only send one signal to the sub, not divided into left and right. I think they have 2 in's on many subs for added flexibility and probably to be prepared for future changes in sound formats (seems a new one gets dreamt up every 5 minutes).

What I did with my sub was to buy a Y connector which turns the single co-ax from the amp into 2 connectors you plug into both inputs on the back of the sub. Connector cost about £3 or £4 in Tandy (who I think have since gone out of business??). Try typing 'beyond hi-fi' into a search engine (e.g. Google) as they have every connector under the sun at good prices.

Jeff.

[Jezz_S13]

I just connected one side up on my Kef jobbie, sounds okay, I may try bridging it to see what happens.

[sideways tony]

I JUST PRISED A PAIR OF PHONO'S APART AND CONECTED ONE TO MY PROCESSOR AND THE OTHER TO MY HIFI AMP SO I CAN LISTEN TO EVERYTHING WITH THE SUB. SPENT £500 ON THE REL Q150 SO MUCH BASS FOR SOMETHING SO SMALL......................

[dan]

cheers boys
I have a splitter.

I bought a jbl sub but when i got it home it said in the instructions "you cannot connect this sub to the sub out phono on an amp!
So i took it back.

:D

[Daniel san]

The output from a Dolby dig amp is mono, so only requires one phono output socket.

Most subs have a left and a right input for use in a stereo (ie, just front left and right) set ups, should you wish to use it like that, rather than home cinema.

Most subs will have a "mono" notice next to the LEFT channel input on the sub, although some do have it on the right (very few though).

The "mono" input will automatically split the signal INSIDE the subwoofers amplifier and thus feed the right channel with the same signal.

So if you've got a Y splitter and hooked up another cable to feed both left and right inputs on the sub, sorry, but you're wasting your time and cash.:(

Clear now? That'll be £20:D

[Jeff]

[So if you've got a Y splitter and hooked up another cable to feed both left and right inputs on the sub, sorry, but you're wasting your time and cash.:([/QUOTE]

Don't doubt you're right Dan, but I originally had the sub hooked up having figured out I got sound just connecting one input, but having the splitter spare, I tried this and it sounded alot better with more ooomph?? Could this be becuase my sub is:

a) Old
b) Cheap
c) All three

Although it is possible I'm just imagining it's better?

[Andy Dee]

Sub base is non-directional, so dosent require stereo reproduction. As is stated before having RCA left and right is for ppl that want to run the Sub from plain HiFi amp, which hasnt had the sub signals merged. Dolby surround the Sub has been merged into a single output.

That REL stuff is well cool, i looked into getting a Rel strata a while back, but couldnt afford it :(

[Daniel san]

Jeff, sorry if it sounded harsh mate, it weren't meant that way.

What sub have you got?
Is the left terminal input labelled up as "mono"?

If it's labelled as mono, then you're imagining it mate:)

[Diddn]

My Amp actually has 2 sub outputs, even though both carry the same mono signal.
This allows to run double sub systems without the need of a Y splitter.
Running 2 subs gives MONSTER bass, however also produces very unhappy neighbours!!
I run both sub outputs into the stereo input of a second amp. Then the stereo output (which are actually identical signals) of the second amp is fed into my dual Voice coil Sub.

[dan]

Any recommendations of what sub I should buy?
I dont want to spend over £150!
:D

[Jeff]

No offence taken Dan, my hearing is known to be suspect and all my kit is hooked up in a fairly erratic manner ;)

My sub is made by Airdale (Micky Mouse division of Whaferdale). It was cheap but it still puts out plenty of bottom end - great for films.

Try

http://www.richersounds.com/cgi-bin/search.cgi?load=frame

it's where I bought mine and is good if you're looking around the £150 mark, although there are tons of places on the web now and Empire Direct are also pretty good.

[Daniel san]

Cheers Jeff, but I'm not looking for one. I use a Miller & Kreisel V-125 active subwoofer. £950 I think last time I looked. Just won the Home Cinema Choice magazine award for best sub:D Had it for over 3 years now. Class piece of kit.

[Funb0b]

Originally posted by Dan_BlitzedS14
Cheers Jeff, but I'm not looking for one. I use a Miller & Kreisel V-125 active subwoofer. £950 I think last time I looked. Just won the Home Cinema Choice magazine award for best sub:D Had it for over 3 years now. Class piece of kit.

Me to :D