RTi 12s and PSW 1000

[jimmyzen]

I just got a pair of RTi 12s and a PSW1000 sub. I connected the sub by using Y connectors out of my pre amp to the Line In of the PSW 1000. So far that is the only connection method I have tried. It seems that I have to adjust the sub filter and sub volume from source to source. It also needs attention depending on the type/style of audio I am listening to and the overall volume level. I wasn't really expecting a complete "set it and forget it" arrangement, but it seems to require constant fiddling with the sub settings or it produces bass that is not well blended into the audio, sounding punchy as if there is a portion of the low frequency band missing between the sub's output and what the mains produce. I set the filter higher and adjust the volume to correct that. Then a different track can play or I can put in a different CD, for example and it's like the sub isn't even working. I have to crank up the sub's volume. And no, I am not a setting fiddler by nature! When it's "right" it is absolute sheer audio ecstasy that can nearly bring me to tears! :p :p :p Well, maybe not quite to tears... BTW: All the speakers on the 12s are operating, e.g. not bi-amped, subs connected.

My previous sub was a passive unit, 15" down firing, wired with the amps' feeding the sub and the main speakers fed by the sub speaker outs. It was the only available way to connect it. It only needed a notch or two of bass from the preamp at very low volumes.

I want to try the amp wired to sub speaker inputs and the main speakers from sub speakers out arrangement, but it would seem that as it is now is the best way to go. Because running the wires is so labor intensive I'd like some input on this before going through the effort. Opinions/suggestions please?

[XJRGUY]

I have my (2) PSW1000's running of the LFE outputs on my receiver which is acting as pre-amp.

With this setup and my DA777ES doing all the work, I have never had to set the levels other than the first time, no matter the source material.

XJRGUY

[danger boy]

not all CD's have the same bass in the music. but having to fiddle with it every time you listen to something would bug me too.

set the sub level to zero on your receiver. then adjust it on the back of the sub to your liking.. mine pumps out just to much bass to go anything more than 1/4 turn.. anything over that and it just pounds to much.

start with your sub to 1/4 turn or 9 0'clock on the dial. listen to some music or movies, if you can't hear it, then turn it another 1/4 turn. listen to some music of for a couple days like that. then adjust from there either up or down.

[jimmyzen]

not all CD's have the same bass in the music. but having to fiddle with it every time you listen to something would bug me too.

set the sub level to zero on your receiver. then adjust it on the back of the sub to your liking.. mine pumps out just to much bass to go anything more than 1/4 turn.. anything over that and it just pounds to much.

start with your sub to 1/4 turn or 9 0'clock on the dial. listen to some music or movies, if you can't hear it, then turn it another 1/4 turn. listen to some music of for a couple days like that. then adjust from there either up or down.

Thanks for the reply. I know there are differences between mastering on audio pieces and some are better than others. My tastes run from Kronos Quartet to Frank Zappa to Miles Davis to Bob Marley to the Cramps. As I said, I expected a certain amount of fine tuning as I bounce around from musical flavor to flavor. I don't think I should have to reset the sub for 8 out of 10 LPs or CDs of a particular musical style.

A few clarifications: my system is a simple 2 channel stereo with 3 speakers, 2 mains and the sub. The RTi 12s are the main speakers for the system and the PSW 1000 is my sub. I don't have a subwoofer output on my preamp or amps. I installed RCA plug Y connectors (male X 1 female X 2) on the left and right channel outputs of my preamp. One leg of each Y goes to the input of each amplifier via standard patch cord. I have one amp for each channel. The second leg of each Y connects via a standard RCA patch cord, albeit a long one, to the Line In inputs on the subwoofer. I have no connection to the LFE input. My understanding from the manual was that the LFE input used an amp/preamp sub output if so equipped. I also believe that the LFE input bypassed the volume and filter level controls of the sub and utilized a fixed 80 Hz filter.

The two connection methods that seemed to fit my application the best were the connection method I employed as described above and the method in which the amplifier(s) speaker outputs connect to the subwoofer speaker inputs and the main speakers connect to the left and right subwoofer speaker outputs.

I was interested to know if this subwoofer speaker input and output connection method with the combination of speakers I have is better -requires less tweaking- than what my current connection method is. I'm just trying to save myself the furniture moving and rug lifting that would be required for me to run all the wires to try it. The price of wire is pretty high, too (Last week I saw a 100' roll of 16 ga. speaker wire priced for $45.00!). I'd just like some opinions on the viability of a sonic improvement with the alternative connection method first. Or any other suggestion. Thanks again for any and all help!

[jimmyzen]

Nobody had any suggestions on one way vs. the other so 120 feet of 10 GA speaker wire later I wired the amps to the PSW 1000's speaker inputs and wired the RTi 12s from the sub's speaker outputs. I think the sound is much better than my previous configuration of splitting the preamp outputs and running one pair to the Line In inputs of the sub and the other pair to the amp inputs. The overall sound seems to blend together more smoothly without the seeming missing frequency band the Line In method exhibited. I hope this helps somebody...