Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Stereo Researching Sub Purchase - Connections

Tom, I guess wasn't too clear. I believe those Paradigm DSP's and Polk's do have speaker level in and filtered speaker out on the sub.

Adrian - did not know they were dc'd as they are still on the Paradigm site. My local dealer still has a few in stock as I just checked a couple of weeks ago for a stereo setup for my in-laws.

Cheers,

I don't think that any of those have filtered speaker level outputs.

I just checked a random manual from Polk (model PSW111) and they show both the speaker level input with filtered outputs as a setup option. It is also shown in the Paradigm manuals for their subs. That's why I believe they have them included on their subs even though i don't have one to physically confirm.

Obviously there are probably many subs that have them, but those 2 brands came to mind from memory when I was 1st researching & building my HT systems.

Whilst browsing the hot 'Multiple Subs' thread in the HT Section, I read with interest the many reviews of Axiom subs.

This one: http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0306/axiom_ep500.htm explains the connection method that the reviewer was trying to accomplish with his unorthodox speaker system, ie wanting to use the sub as a crossover. Essentially I want to do the same thing by using a sub as a crossover to my satellites using Speaker Level Ins & Outs.

This article correctly names this as Speaker Level High Pass Out rather than the Filtered Out term that I've been using.

Tom
Comox, BC

That is a 2006 article and the EP500 amp has been changed a few times since then, you might want to ask Axiom.

I included that article because the reviewer articulated the whole subject of filtering the lows from the satellites better than I did.

I just checked the specs on the entire Axiom sub line & none of them list a 'High Level Out' capability. This is common elsewhere as well. Obviously it is a design philosophy where Axiom does not believe that filtering out the lows to satellites is desireable nor necessary. With all of the blind testing that they do, they probably discovered this a long time ago.

Perhaps we have been fed a line over the past 20 years as to the high desireabilty of this method of connection. I don't know; however, I wish that someone with the technical expertise in this field would provide me/us some definitive information.

Tom
Comox, BC

No, Dan; the PSW111 doesn't have a high-pass filter on the speaker level outputs. If you're referring to what they term connection "Option #2", this is simply the usual full-range pass through to main speakers when they're connected in that fashion. This is often misunderstood to mean that subs with speaker-level outputs have an internal crossover which is adjusted by using the frequency dial on the back of the sub(which often is labeled "crossover"). That control is only for a low-pass filter on the sub itself and has no effect on the main speakers, even when they're connected through the sub; there is no "crossover". In the past some of the Polk subs did have a separate fixed-frequency high-pass filter on the speaker level outputs, but this had nothing to do with the frequency control on the sub.

Tom, sure that's what Axiom and most other sub manufacturers do. It isn't that they don't believe in filtering out the lows to satellites, but the precise way to do this is with variable crossovers present in modern multi-channel receivers. The relatively crude fixed frequency high- pass filter that was present on a fair amount of subs in the past and a very few currently, is certainly better than forcing full-range signals into the mains, but should never be used when a receiver with proper bass management is available.

OK, thanks JohnK, I did misinterpret the setup option believing they were filtered speaker outs from the sub and not a straight pass through - I am now slightly wiser.

I dug out my subs' manuals to refresh my memeory in what I have now.

Audio System - vintage Velo Servo F1000 (connected using Speaker Level Ins & Outs: High Pass Fixed - 85Hz 6dB slope. I have the Low Pass set at 80Hz to blend with the AX2s;

HT System - new twin Velo DLS-3750Rs (connected from Denon 2X Sub Outs to sub LFEs In): High Pass Selectable - 80Hz or 100 Hz 6 dB slope; and

New Velo EQ-Max line - High Pass Fixed 80 Hz.

These features do not appear in all of their other product lines however.

So with my legacy type system, the EQ-Max may be a good option, although no decisions have been made yet....

Tom
Comox, BC