Hello, I appreciate any advice on my plans to add an identical subwoofer to my existing single subwoofer-satellite setup. I have decided to hook up the SWs as stereo subs and question the receiver's crossover and speaker settings.
Pioneer Elite VSX-07 5.1 with Front R/L PreOuts
M&K S2Bs Main Speakers
2-M&K V1B Subs
2-M&K Surr-25 Surrounds
Presently, the Pioneer's PreOuts are not used. Mains are connected directly with speaker wire. Single Sub connected to line input from LFE output from the receiver. Low pass filter on Sub is set to highest setting. Crossover on Receiver set to 80Hz. Mains and surrounds are set as "Small"; "Yes" for SW presence.
My thinking for the installation of the second sub as a stereo application is to use the Right Front PreOut connected to the Right Sub; Left Front PreOut connected to the Left Sub. Then, connecting the right and left Mains to their respective subs with speaker wire.
Is this the preferred stereo sub hookup within the limits of my equipment?
If so, what do I do with the Pioneer's crossover settings and each of the Sub's low pass filter settings?
Lastly, do I now set the Mains as "Large" and "No" for the SW settings in the receiver?
Thank you if you can help me unravel these issues.

Connecting the subs to the preamp outputs wil cause you to miss all the content such as movie LFE that is sent to the subwoofer output, not to the main LR outputs. It may also turn off your main amplifiers depending on how the receiver is designed and you would miss everthing above the bass frequencies in that case.

I would think the best way to hook up "stereo" subs would be to connect them to the speaker terminals and connect the main speakers to them. That wouldn't get you the movie LFE, however, or anything that the surround systems steers to the sub output.

Low frequencies aren't very directional so they don't really provide any stereo imaging. I would recommend connecting the subs to the sub output with a Y adapter. You can place the subs apart from one another if you like but it really won't matter much where you put them.

My thinking for the installation of the second sub as a stereo application is to use the Right Front PreOut connected to the Right Sub; Left Front PreOut connected to the Left Sub. Then, connecting the right and left Mains to their respective subs with speaker wire.
Is this the preferred stereo sub hookup within the limits of my equipment?IF you want to high-pass the speakers off of the subs, you MUST use speaker-level cojnections to the subwoofers. The pre-outs do not pass an amplified signal. However, you probably should find out the nature of the high-pass filter that the sub's apply to their speaker-level outputs. Is it fixed? Or does it vary with the subwoofer's crossover setting. Usually a sub's variable "crossover" is really only a variable low-pass filter and usually a fixed high-pass filter is applied to a subwoofer's speaker-level outputs. But I'm not sure about those subs. It is rare, but the "crossover" knob on those subs could represent a truly variable crossover.

Another way to connect the front speakers is to connect them to the receiver's front speaker outputs and run them full-range instead of high-passing them off the subs. If you did this, you could use the receiver's pre-outs to connect the subs, but your front speakers would not be high-passed in this instance.


If so, what do I do with the Pioneer's crossover settings and each of the Sub's low pass filter settings?

Lastly, do I now set the Mains as "Large" and "No" for the SW settings in the receiver?
Yes, you most definitely want to set the mains to LARGE and the subwoofer to NO with this configuration. The LFE channel will be properly rerouted to the front channels and will be reproduced by a combination of the front speakers and the subs. The receiver's crossover setting will then be applied only to those channels that may be set to SMALL. So, if any of your other channels (i.e. surrounds or center) need to be set to SMALL, set the receiver's crossover appropriately for those speakers. The rerouted bass from those channels set to SMALL will be rerouted properly to your front channels when the receiver is set up as having no subwoofer.

Regarding setting the sub's low-pass settings, depending upon how you connect the speakers, to the subs speaker level outputs (high-passed) or to the receiver's speaker outputs (full-range) you will need to adjust the sub's low-pass setting to each speaker's low-end. If high-passing the speakers, this setting should be somewhere near the high-pass filter (if it is fixed) that is applied to the sub's speaker-level outputs. If you decide to run the speakers full-range (connected to the receiver's speaker outputs), then you will adjust the subwoofers' low-pass setting appropriately for the speaker's low-end roll-off. Either way, this adjustment can be done by ear, but can be aided by variable frequency test tones and frequency sweeps.

Connecting the subs to the preamp outputs wil cause you to miss all the content such as movie LFE that is sent to the subwoofer output, not to the main LR outputs.Not if he sets his receiver up as having NO SUB. Set up as having NO SUB, the LFE channel will be properly rerouted at the proper level to his front L/R channels, which would mean to both his front L/R pre-outs as well as to his speaker outputs. This is a fundamental function and is how all processors operate. However, as I told him, if he wants to high-pass the speakers off of the subwoofer's speaker level outputs, he'll need to connect his subwoofers to his receiver via speaker-level connections, too.


It may also turn off your main amplifiers depending on how the receiver is designed and you would miss everthing above the bass frequencies in that case.Yes, a few receivers operate this way, but, again, this would only be a concern if he ran his front speakers full-range off the receiver's speaker level outputs and DID utilize the pre-outs for his sub. But he wants to high-pass his speakers off the sub, which, as I said will require a speaker-level connection to and from his subwoofers. The pre-outs become a moot point in this instance, as he won't be using them anyway.


I would think the best way to hook up "stereo" subs would be to connect them to the speaker terminals and connect the main speakers to them. That wouldn't get you the movie LFE, however, or anything that the surround systems steers to the sub output.As I pointed out, yes, of course this WILL get him his LFE if he sets the receiver up as having NO SUB.


Low frequencies aren't very directional so they don't really provide any stereo imaging. I would recommend connecting the subs to the sub output with a Y adapter. You can place the subs apart from one another if you like but it really won't matter much where you put them.This is definitely one way to go, which would essentially be the same way he is connecting everything now, but with the addition of the extra sub.

But "stereo subs" is a controversial subject here. Yes, the dogma is that low-frequencies don't have much directionality and that there isn't really that much stereo in the low-frequencies in recordings, anyway. But this subject has created quite a bit of spirited discussion, quite often, here, in the past. I would recommend a forum search regarding this topic. A good argument CAN be made in favor of running "stereo subs".

Appreciate your thoughts. Unfortunately, I am suffering paralysis by analysis. Having read innumerable posts and articles regarding multiple subs (mono hookup) vs stereo subs and their respective sonic pros and cons, I will probably have to do what many experts on the forum suggest: try the different hookups and listen. What is troubling to me is that, on theoretical grounds alone, there is not a clear, audiophile preference.

The hookup for stereo subs I mentioned in this post (using receiver's PreOuts) was Option 1 in M&Ks owner's manual. Using speaker level wiring from receiver to subs to mains are Option 2. I have no recollection if audio processing via the receiver (ie bass management, crossover settings) were commonplace way back then, so I don't really know what M&Ks manual would say today.

Your comments about missing a movie's LFE by avoiding the receiver's sub output is the first I've read about this and greatly concerns me. If I'm not mistaken, I have read on this forum that a Dolby Digital processor amplifies the LFE by 10db, but wouldn't all the low frequencies of an audio source still be passed on to the sub(s), whether the sub out is used or not?

The argument of using 2 subs for a stereo vs mono "effect" is interesting and obviously affects how the subs and satellites are connected to the receiver.

Assuming that I will "prefer" a stereo sub hookup over dual mono subs, will I really lose LFE information and impact if I avoid the sub out line connection?

Am I correct that the receiver should be set with no SW, the mains set as Large, and the Center and Surrounds set as Small?

Thanks again.

Sorry guys, I was writing my reply without knowing that others have chimed in. You may have already answered my questions. I am going to read your new posts and learn.

EDIT:Sorry guys, I was writing my reply without knowing that others have chimed in. You may have already answered my questions. I am going to read your new posts and learn.
Sorry, I posted a reply before you posted this disclaimer. :D




The hookup for stereo subs I mentioned in this post (using receiver's PreOuts) was Option 1 in M&Ks owner's manual. Using speaker level wiring from receiver to subs to mains are Option 2. I have no recollection if audio processing via the receiver (ie bass management, crossover settings) were commonplace way back then, so I don't really know what M&Ks manual would say today.If you use Option#1, you must use the receiver's speaker outputs to connect the speakers, which means running your front speakers full-range. The receiver's pre-outs pass no power, so connecting a speaker to a sub's speaker-level output would be absolutely useless if the subwoofer was connected via it's pre-amp level input.


Your comments about missing a movie's LFE by avoiding the receiver's sub output is the first I've read about this and greatly concerns me.I told you, the LFE channel will be rerouted to the fornt channels at the proper level if you set the receiver up as having NO SUB. This is a fundamental and basic capability that ALL AV receivers and pre/pros must have. This is mandated by Dolby.


If I'm not mistaken, I have read on this forum that a Dolby Digital processor amplifies the LFE by 10db,....Well.............. not exactly. The LFE channel provides an extra 10dB of headroom that is encoded by the engineer properly so as to to be decoded and reproduced properly on the consumer end. The 10dB "increase" is built-in to processors. If you set your receiver up as having NO SUB, the LFE channel will be rerouted at the proper level to your front channels.


....................but wouldn't all the low frequencies of an audio source still be passed on to the sub(s), whether the sub out is used or not?As I said, if you set the receiver up as having NO SUB, the LFE channel is rerouted at the appropriate level to the receiver's front channels.


The argument of using 2 subs for a stereo vs mono "effect" is interesting and obviously affects how the subs and satellites are connected to the receiver.Yes.................


Assuming that I will "prefer" a stereo sub hookup over dual mono subs, will I really lose LFE information and impact if I avoid the sub out line connection?NO! Once more, you will NOT lose your LFE channel.


Am I correct that the receiver should be set with no SW, the mains set as Large, and the Center and Surrounds set as Small?Yes, you would set the receiver up as having NO SUB. Most receivers will default the front speakers to LARGE in this situation, but if yours doesn't, set the front speakers to LARGE.

To what size you set the center and surround speakers is your decision. If you have normally been running them as SMALL, then leave them as such. The receiver's crossover setting is what will be applied to the SMALL speakers, so set it appropriately.


Now, one thing you should be aware of if you use Option#2 is that the LFE channel reproduction will no longer be restricted solely to your sub, but will now be reproduced by a combination of the subs and the front speakers. Depending upon the subs' high-pass filter setting, some of the LFE channel, when its content is of a high enough frequency, will obviously also be reproduced by the front speakers in this setup. This is not in any way whatsoever an issue (and some would even consider it a possible benefit), but IS a consequence of rerouting the LFE to the front channels. By that same token, the low-frequency bass (not LFE) of the front channels and any speakers set to SMALL will also be reproduced by a combination of the subwoofers and the front speakers.

In other words, the mixture of LFE, front channel bass, and SMALL speaker bass below the receiver's crossover setting, that your receiver creates, will be spread appropriately across the front speakers and the subs. No problems at all with any of this, but you should be aware of how a system setup like this behaves.

Sivadselim, I really appreciate your knowledge on this. I'm getting closer to getting it!!! If you'll indulge me just a bit more, I'm going to pass on a few sentences from my owner's manual that hopefully will help you help me in maximizing my system's potential.

"THE FILTER ADJUSTMENT: An electronic filter curcuit rolls off the response of your subwoofer above 125 Hz at a rate of 24 db per octave. If you wish to fine-tune the sound of your sytem, this frequency can be adjusted. THERE IS NO NEED FOR YOU TO MAKE ANY AJUSTMENT TO USE YOUR SUBWOOFER. It is shipped from the factory ready for use. We provide the ability to make this adjustment for audiophiles who wish to make subtle alterations to the sound of their systems. It is particularly useful when using the subwoofer with main speakers other than M&K." "Because M&K Satellite speakers are designed to operate full range when used with subwoofers, the subwoofer has no crossover ciurcuit for the Satellite speakers used with it. Few Satellites have the requisite power handling capability at low frequencies to operate safely with full range capabilities. Therefore, we have available a crossover kit for use with other maufacturers' loudspeakers. Remember, without the crossover kit, any Satellite speaker connected to an M&K subwoofer is fed a full range signal."

Hopefully, this helps you (me?) figure out what exactly my subs' capabilities are and what their "Filters" do. I have already ascertained by your replies that I will not use the Preouts of my receiver but rather the speaker wire connections. I think my last question would then be, what should the approximate starting point for the subs' filter settings be? I would assume, but do not yet know, that if I set my receiver's settings as mains Large and subwoofer No, that I will not see an option for setting the crossover value. If that is not correct, how would one decide what to do with this setting?
Thanks.

Sivadselim, I really appreciate your knowledge on this. I'm getting closer to getting it!!! If you'll indulge me just a bit more, I'm going to pass on a few sentences from my owner's manual that hopefully will help you help me in maximizing my system's potential.

"THE FILTER ADJUSTMENT: An electronic filter curcuit rolls off the response of your subwoofer above 125 Hz at a rate of 24 db per octave. If you wish to fine-tune the sound of your sytem, this frequency can be adjusted. THERE IS NO NEED FOR YOU TO MAKE ANY AJUSTMENT TO USE YOUR SUBWOOFER. It is shipped from the factory ready for use. We provide the ability to make this adjustment for audiophiles who wish to make subtle alterations to the sound of their systems. It is particularly useful when using the subwoofer with main speakers other than M&K." "Because M&K Satellite speakers are designed to operate full range when used with subwoofers, the subwoofer has no crossover ciurcuit for the Satellite speakers used with it. Few Satellites have the requisite power handling capability at low frequencies to operate safely with full range capabilities. Therefore, we have available a crossover kit for use with other maufacturers' loudspeakers. Remember, without the crossover kit, any Satellite speaker connected to an M&K subwoofer is fed a full range signal."

Hopefully, this helps you (me?) figure out what exactly my subs' capabilities are and what their "Filters" do. I have already ascertained by your replies that I will not use the Preouts of my receiver but rather the speaker wire connections. I think my last question would then be, what should the approximate starting point for the subs' filter settings be?
Thanks.
Can you provide me a link to the manual(s) for your subwoofer and speakers?

Do your subs have speaker-level outputs? I assume you are using the same satellites described here, correct? And is this how, according to the manual, how you are specifically supposed to connect the "satellites" with these subs? But you have NOT been using the subwoofer's speaker level outputs, but have instead, up until now, been connecting the satellites directly to the receiver's front speaker outputs. Is this connection method also described in your manual?

Based upon this description you posted from your manual, the sub's speaker level outputs are emphatically and very clearly stated to be unfiltered, meaning they pass a full-range signal on to ANY speakers that are connected to the sub's speaker level outputs. And based upon this description, a steep 125Hz low-pass filter is applied to your sub's own output, which apparently is the appropriate frequency for your satellites. It says your satellites are designed to operate full-range with the subwoofers, but with a 125Hz low-pass on the subwoofer, I'm wondering if the satellites have a built-in high-pass filter, too? They point out that if you want to use another manufacturer's speakers, that they offer a crossover kit.

Either way, though, it is irrelevant. Your satellites, if you are using the same ones described here, are clearly designed to be connected to the sub's speaker-level outputs and the sub's filter setting, although it can be changed, is, out-of-the-box, ready to be used with the satellites. Apparently you can change the filter setting if you prefer, and you would have to determine if you wish to do this. However, based upon their description, the 125Hz filter is already the proper filter for your satellites (provided you are using the satellites they are describing).

Now, one thing that would be a concern is whether the sub is specifically designed to operate with ONLY BOTH the R and L channel speaker-level inputs being utilized or whether they can also operate properly with only a SINGLE R or L channel speaker level input being utilized. Your manual may elaborate upon this.


I would assume, but do not yet know, that if I set my receiver's settings as mains Large and subwoofer No, that I will not see an option for setting the crossover value. If that is not correct, how would one decide what to do with this setting?The receiver should still offer you the ability to set its crossover if any of your other speakers (i.e. center and/or surround) are set to SMALL. As I pointed out earlier, you should set the receiver's crossover setting(s) appropriately for these speakers' low-end capabilities.


So, provided the subs can operate properly with only one of their speaker-level channels being utilized, I would just simply connect your receiver's L and R speaker level outputs to the appropriate input (L or R) of you subs, connect the sub's appropriate (L or R) speaker-level output to your satellites, set the receiver as having NO SUB with LARGE front speakers, adjust the receiver's crossover setting for your SMALL speakers, and let her rip.

http://web.archive.org/web/20061118062343/www.mksound.com/archives.htm

Again, my satellites are the S-2B and the sub is the V1-B. This link provides the exact manual for my S-2Bs but not the exact electronic version of my V1-B's manual (it is more generic including it with many other subs starting with MX-70, 80, 90, etc.).

Yes, my satellites were purchased and have been used as matched with my subwoofer (still sounding great IMO for over 20 years) from M&K and have been an admirer of their products up until their facility was closed over a year ago. Each satellite has 6 adjustable settings for treble character and 6 for midrange character as well as additional connections if biamping is desired.

You are correct, my subs do have speaker level inputs or outputs, but have not been in use since Stereo receivers were replaced by Prologic and subsequently, Dolby Digital 5.1I have been using the receiver's Sub out to connect the Sub, the sub's "low pass filter" set to maximum setting at 125 hz, speaker wire connection from the receiver to the 5 satellites, receiver crossover at 80, all speakers set to small.

Thanks again for your time, I really am appreciative.

http://web.archive.org/web/20061118062343/www.mksound.com/archives.htm

Again, my satellites are the S-2B and the sub is the V1-B. This link provides the exact manual for my S-2Bs but not the exact electronic version of my V1-B's manual (it is more generic including it with many other subs starting with MX-70, 80, 90, etc.).

Yes, my satellites were purchased and have been used as matched with my subwoofer (still sounding great IMO for over 20 years) from M&K and have been an admirer of their products up until their facility was closed over a year ago. Each satellite has 6 adjustable settings for treble character and 6 for midrange character as well as additional connections if biamping is desired.

You are correct, my subs do have speaker level inputs or outputs, but have not been in use since Stereo receivers were replaced by Prologic and subsequently, Dolby Digital 5.1I have been using the receiver's Sub out to connect the Sub, the sub's "low pass filter" set to maximum setting at 125 hz, speaker wire connection from the receiver to the 5 satellites, receiver crossover at 80, all speakers set to small.

Thanks again for your time, I really am appreciative.
As I said, the only caveat would be whether the subs operate properly with only a single channel's worth of speaker-level OR pre-amp level input. I would think they would, but being so old, you never know. I haven't looked at the manual(s) yet.


Another question I would have is regarding SACD/DVD-A playback. Do you currently (or in the future plan to) utilize these formats and if so, how is your hirez player connected to your receiver? Does your receiver have HDMI input(s) and if so, which version. If you have no interest in SACD/DVD-A, my concerns here are moot.

OK, the subwoofer's manual clearly states that only one pair of speaker level OR pre-amp level inputs can be used per sub if a stereo sub setup is desired, so you are set to go, there.


And, as the manual points out, since the speaker level outputs are not filtered, there is no real advantage to connecting the satellites to the subwoofer's speaker level outputs. So, you actually have 3 ways you can set up your stereo sub setup. In each of these examples, you would still set your receiver up as having NO SUB with the front channels set to LARGE, and any speakers you desire to be so, set to SMALL with the appropriate crossover setting for them in the receiver.

So:

1.) Provided using your receiver's pre-outs doesn't shut down the corresponding amps in your receiver (and it shouldn't, but you should check), connect each sub individually to the receiver's R or L front channel pre-outs. Connect the satellites directly to the receiver's front R/L speaker channel outputs.

2.) Connect each subwoofer via a speaker level connection to the receiver's appropriate speaker-level output and connect each front satellite to the subwoofer via the appropriate speaker level output of the subwoofer. (Of course, it doesn't really matter which of the subwoofer's inputs and outputs (R or L) you use in this case, but you may want to use the "correct" one.

3.) Connect the subwoofers to the appropriate speaker-level output of the receiver and ALSO connect the satellites directly to the receiver's speaker-level outputs. (Yes, you CAN do this.) If your receiver has A/B front channel outputs and they are in-parallel (as most are), as pointed out in the subwoofer's manual, they could also be used to achieve this connection scheme.


Method #1 is the best way to connect everything unless you have some specific wiring requirements that would better fit Method #2 or#3. As the subwoofer manual points out, connecting the satellites directly to the subwoofer offers no difference or advantage over direct connection to the receiver except a potential wiring convenience. But pre-amp level connections to your subwoofers (Method#1) would be preferable.


One thing you should really consider, though, is whether you now want your front satellites running full-range as opposed to the way you have been running them as SMALL with an 80Hz crossover setting. The only way you can set up stereo subs is to run them full-range, as LARGE. M&K is very clear that the satellites are capable of full-range reproduction. Doubtful you could find the "crossover kit" they describe, new, but it may be possible to find one used. If you want to run stereo subs with your equipment but you REALLY wanted to cross the front speakers, it could be done another way, but not so easily.

Your other option, should you NOT want to run the speakers as LARGE, is to forgo the stereo sub setup. With most subwoofers, the speaker level outputs are high-passed ~80-120Hz and crossing the front speakers with a stereo subwoofer setup is not an issue.


I could NOT find the description of the subwoofer's filter setting that you provided a few posts up, but instead found a little bit different description (see page 11, #6) in the subwoofer manual you linked me to.

"The back panel control labelled "FILTER" sets the upper rolloff point of the Subwoofer, eliminating mid-bass and midrange signals that are being reproduced by your Satellite speakers. The control is a means of "fine-tuning" the transition between your Subwoofer and Satellite speakers, and it provides a rolloff of 18 dB/octave up to 125 Hz, where the filter shifts to 36 dB/octave. In most systems, including M&K Satellites, 85 Hz gives the best blend. If you don't want to experiment, set the control at 85 Hz.

The goal is to get a balanced acoustic output in your room. This is not necessarily the same as flat electrical output. Rooms typically reinforce bass frequencies around 100 Hz, so by leaving an electrical gap, you may actually get a smooth acoustical response where it matters, in the room.

Think of this control as a "mid-bass" fine tuning adjustment that you set to achieve the best transition between the Satellite speakers and the Subwoofer. When you hear a smooth sound overall, well balanced between the deep bass and the rest of the audible spectrum, the control is set properly."

Perhaps this difference is due to what you say - that the manual posted online is only a "generic" version. In any event, the filter setting you use should be determined experimentally either "by ear", by measurement, or both.



(As an aside, I wonder WTH the satellite's "Special Input" is for. The manual only says not to use them, but never says anything else about them.)

First of all, I am in awe of your follow-through, detail, and commitment to help me. You remind me of myself in matters with which I am an expert. Your explanations are very clear, but I still have questions:
I understand the wiring options #1 and #2 that you describe. You correctly predicted my surprise that option #3 is usable. I won't question why, but since you say that method 1 is the best way to connect everything, that is what I will go with. If that shuts down my power amps, I'll use method 2 or 3.

I don't remember if I've ever run my satellites full-range, but I'm going to give it a go. I often see M&K crossovers on ebay, but maybe that'll be for another thread someday.

To answer some of your questions, I honestly am not anticipating getting into SACD/DVD-A sources. My receiver only handles optical and coaxial digital audio signals so no HDMI ins or outs and no lossless digital signal processing. I'm praying that my receiver will someday emit smoke but it keeps working and sounding very good to me.

The description of my subs' filter comes directly from my paper owner's manual that is applicable to just 5 of their subs, V1B, V2B, V3B, VX-4, and Vx-7. This manual does not exist in any archive that I've found. I'm sorry I don't know enough to understand your concern over the discrepancy between the 2 manuals.

I am a bit confused over the statement you made, "Your other option, should you NOT want to run the speakers as LARGE, is to forgo the stereo sub setup. With most subwoofers, the speaker level outputs are high-passed ~80-120Hz and crossing the front speakers with a stereo subwoofer setup is not an issue. Does this mean you would advocate keeping everything as is, maybe running 2 subs off the same Sub out signal? (If not, I really didn't mean to get into a discussion of mono vs stereo subs).

Lastly, those Special Inputs you noted on the back of my Satellites are identical black and red speaker binding posts to the ones that are actually used for speaker connection. There is a labeling back there that states: Connect amplifier to only one red and only one black terminal.

You correctly predicted my surprise that option #3 is usable.Please see the bottom of Page#6 and Page#7 in the subwoofer manual that you posted a link to. Exactly what I posted as Method#3 is very clearly stated there. :)


To answer some of your questions, I honestly am not anticipating getting into SACD/DVD-A sources. My receiver only handles optical and coaxial digital audio signals so no HDMI ins or outs and no lossless digital signal processing.My concern was in regards to whether you used your receiver's multichannel analog inputs (if it has them) to connect a hirez player. If so, I was going to point out that unless your receiver could bass manage its multichannel analog inputs (most can't), you would lose your LFE channel form SACDs and DVD-As as players will not, as receivers do, reroute the LFE channel properly to their front R/L analog outputs.


I'm sorry I don't know enough to understand your concern over the discrepancy between the 2 manuals.I'm not concerned. At all. If your manual specifically states, as opposed to the manual you linked me to online, that 125Hz is the best filter setting for your subwoofer/satellite combo, then I would start with that setting. However, be aware that you CAN still experiment with this setting.


I am a bit confused over the statement you made, "Your other option, should you NOT want to run the speakers as LARGE, is to forgo the stereo sub setup. With most subwoofers, the speaker level outputs are high-passed ~80-120Hz and crossing the front speakers with a stereo subwoofer setup is not an issue. Does this mean you would advocate keeping everything as is, maybe running 2 subs off the same Sub out signal? (If not, I really didn't mean to get into a discussion of mono vs stereo subs).No, I was just giving you your ONLY option should you want to high-pass the speakers. If I were you, I would be tempted to utilize stereo subs, too. I just think it is unfortunate, in your very special case, that you can't utilize stereo subs AND high-pass the front speakers.


Lastly, those Special Inputs you noted on the back of my Satellites are identical black and red speaker binding posts to the ones that are actually used for speaker connection. There is a labeling back there that states: Connect amplifier to only one red and only one black terminal.Yeah, the manual you linked me to clearly and emphatically states NOT to use the "Special Inputs". Then they are never mentioned again. Does your particular manual for your satellites differ from the online one you posted a link to, as well? If so, maybe it mentions what these inputs are for. No worries. It's irrelevant. I was just curious about them, that's all.

The manual I have for the Satellites are identical to the one you've seen online. I do not remember ever seeing or asking what the special inputs were for. Over the years, I've assumed that they were there for biamplification purposes. I'll leave 'em alone...I've read lengthy posts that you've been involved with re: biamping and I got dizzy. Best wishes and a final thank you.

Best wishes and a final thank you.
Good luck! Enjoy your setup! Either way you go, stereo subs or not, I would think that it is going to sound great.

As a follow-up to the my original post, and thread conclusion, I am highly satisfied with a second sub introduced into my home theater room, wired and configured as stereo subwoofers.

I used Sivad's first method of using left and right line outputs from the Mains' Pre outs connecting to their respective (left and right) subwoofers. I then connected the left main satellite to the Front Left speaker level output and the right main satellite to the Front Right speaker level output. The Center and 2 Surrounds all connected to speaker level output terminals.
The 2, identical subwoofers were placed along the front wall, on either side of the 73 inch RPTV, near the left and right corners and adjacent to their respective, corresponding main speakers. The Satellite/Sub complex distance from the opposite side Satellite/Sub complex measures the same distance as the center of the tv screen to the head location in the prime viewing area.
Subwoofers' low passes were set to max 125Hz, Main speakers were set to LARGE, Center Small, Surrounds Small, Subwoofer NO, crossover set to 80 Hz..

Too tired to check phasing, or to use my SPL to calibrate and determine room acoustics, I just decided to watch Van Helsing DVD and just appreciate the experience. I had a smile for nearly 2 hours as my setup has breathed new life into the room. Must be dumb luck that the phasing was excellent as judged by ear. The main source material played much louder at lower volume settings and the bilateral bass most definitely was being spread throughout the room with a much more visceral response than before. My satellites handled the full range well and I feel that the subs were definitely processing bass in addition to LFE. Having stereo subs seemingly made my satellites sound bigger and fuller with great localization. I've read that below a certain frequency, one cannot localize low frequency bass, but what I feel I experience is a fuller, more immersive expericence of sound. Thank you.

I have found an M&K High Pass filter 80 hz, 2 channel version to possible purchase.
With my setup, would I be able to further maximize my stereo subwoofer performance?
Upon reading the connections of this high pass filter, however, it would first take a connection from my receiver's pre outs, but then I must make a connection back to its main ins, from the HP filter. My receiver does not have main ins, so is this not doable? thank you.