Quote:
Originally Posted by rdgrimes /forum/post/18181392
This is not accurate. Sub amps that are designed to have input to 2 channels will essentially be running at 1/2 power with only one channel used. That's not the same as simply turning it down, not by a long shot.
If the sub is intended to have 2 channels connected, use them. The result is about 3db gain.
I don't know where rdgrimes got his idea of a sub amp running at half power while having only one input used, but there is a little truth to be had in the remark. If you would like to get into further depth, it really depends on the design of the amp and subwoofer such as dual voice coils multiple woofers which MIGHT necessitate both inputs being used.
However, most subs the L+R inputs are there to be used for stereo inputs, lets say your receiver doesn't have a Sub out or LFE out and you need to plug in the L+R outputs of your receiver to the sub to get the subwoofer to work for both your L+R channels. But if you feed a mono signal such as a subwoofer signal to the sub, the sub will get the signal and play it not "half power" but to the gain you set it at. If you send a mono signal to both the L+R inputs, thus "more" signal, you get a louder playback and increased gain.
Of course, if you already have a Y splitter, might as well use it, won't hurt. If you don't, I wouldn't worry about going out there and buying a Y splitter as your subwoofer doesn't need both inputs being used.