Placement of the sub makes a huge difference, at least that is what I've found with all these years of trying different scenarios. As I mentioned above, my 600 is now up front dead center between my m80's. If I use the receivers 26.6ft distance for the sub, the only way I get any impressive low results up front is when I have the 80's set to large. However, with the EP600 at 13-14ft distance, I can put the 80's on small with an 80hz crossover.
Now switching back/forth from Stereo 2 CH and Direct mode, it sounds the same, no difference. With the 26.6ft setting, Stereo mode sounded so weak with hardly any bass, and Direct mode was the only way to get any useful LFE.
Also, I have my subs all daisy chained and there is NO signal loss over distances, and there should not be. It is the EP amps that cause this, many have had this issue as Jason has hinted. I'm using a combination of 15ft, 25ft, and a 50ft cables from Monoprice and Bluejeans.
