Adding Subwoofer to 2CH setup (High pass XO)

[aboroth00]

I plan to use a pair of bookshelves coupled with a sealed sub for 2ch crossed at around 60-80hz. The sub is a passive one, so I plan on using an outboard amp, a bridged ATI 1502. The amp doesn't have any volume control or high pass XO as with a typical sub plate amp. Thus, I need some sort of high pass and low pass crossover to use the sub in conjunction with the bookshelves. I was looking into the NHT X2 and the Paradigm X30 as well as the Velodyne SMS-1. I am slightly hesitant to adding more things to the signal chain, but it seems like the only way. Each unit has there pros and cons, especially with the SMS-1's very spartan high-pass crossover (@80hz 6db/slope). I had also looked into the mini-dsp, looks slightly complicated but will this be fruitful for my setup?

Thus my question: is there a better unit for my needs? or should I just scrap this and buy a sub amp and using the high and low pass XO's in those.

[organ]

I would run the bookshelfs full range and let the sub start where the bookshelfs begin to drop off. I wouldn't want to add another crossover in the signal path. This is just IMHO.

[aboroth00]

I was thinking the same thing. I am hesitant to as you said, add something else to the signal path. However, I'm still weighing the benefits in my head. By allowing the bookshelves to play lower, the woofers' excursion would have to be farther, increasing distortion? Also, by letting the bookshelves play to their cut-off point, mine cut off around 40-50hz, i would be unable to EQ the critical range around ~80hz. Ideally, I would like the option to play around with this, but I'll have to pull the trigger on a particular device first. I'm just trying to accomplish better bass in my room with less distortion, so I'm trying to weigh the benefits of adding distortion due to a crossover and distortion generated by the woofers playing lower. Could anyone weigh in on that?

Thanks for the opinion

I would run the bookshelfs full range and let the sub start where the bookshelfs begin to drop off. I wouldn't want to add another crossover in the signal path. This is just IMHO.

[ambiophonics]

How about a mini DSP? Get the advanced 2.1 plugin and tweak to your hearts desire. It's digital but it runs at 24 bit 48khz.

[aboroth00]

The myriad of options is definitely appealing. I was initially concerned with the need of the minidsp(6kohm) for low input impedance and the relatively high? output imedance of 650ohm. Will the signal be attenuated? Will this be okay? I'm actually not too sure on this issue. The A/D, D/A conversion is a little concerning, but I'm probably just being paranoid now.

How about a mini DSP? Get the advanced 2.1 plugin and tweak to your hearts desire. It's digital but it runs at 24 bit 48khz.