I currently am using a single subwoofer a Wharfedale SW150 it’s very musical has good timing dynamics etc and works well with my tube amp. I have had the fortune of getting hold of another pair for very cheap and wanted to go down the road of having stereo subs.
The question I have is related to wiring. Each sub has high level speaker output left and right channel.
Do I:
A) connect 1 subwoofer using only the right channel to right amp speaker terminals and the other left channel to left amp speaker terminals. On each subwoofer there will be a leftover left and right high level output
B) hook up both the left and right channels of each sub to each channel on the amp. All high level outputs on each sub occupied
Option A is easiest as if means I can just take one of the existing sets of cables from the single sub
You are going to need a complete second set of speaker cables preferably with the opposite connection of what you are using to your main speakers on the amp end. Then connect left channel positive and negative from the amp to the left sub and right channel positive and negative to the right sub. They can be cheap cables from BJC, Amazon or any other source for the subs. For ease if you are using spades on the amp end on the mains use bananas on the amp end for the subs. I have tried both cheap and expensive cables for sub connection and never heard a difference. But yes you only need both a singular positive and negative on each sub. Some sub amps have one set of terminals marked as the preferred “mono” connection but many don’t.
Singular positive and negative then thats fine. I’ll disconnect the right speaker level wire from my existing sub and connect it to the new sub that will be my right subwoofer
Depending on the internal layout of the sub amp it might give you a slight increase in output or might do nothing. Not worth all the extra wire if it works with one set to each side. All of mine are hooked up with single pair to each sub.
I am about to buy a subwoofer to improve my system. After searching abouth this, it is recommended to use two subwoofers in a room, but for budget purpouses, i am going to start with a single one and sooner than later get the second one.
My amp is a Cambridge Audio which has 01 Sub Out (RCA) and 04 pairs of speaker outputs (02 for Speaker A and 02 for Speaker B).
I am in Peru, so we have some limited choices for SWs. I´ve found some with just Line In (like the PSB Alpha S10) and other with Line In + Hi Level In (like the Gallo Accoustics TR-3D). Different prices but not a big difference (unless it is multiply by two ).
I know from reading previous post and Paul’s videos (thank you, Sir), that i can use the Speaker B Outputs from my Amp to feed 01 or 02 subwoofers.
Left + Right outputs to SW01 or
Left output to SW01 and Right output to SW02
But my biggest concern is if i decide to get 02 PSB Alpha S10s, can i feed them through my single AMP Sub Out with a Y-splitter so a single RCA will go to each SW? Will this get a good sound or is it preferred to invest a little more and get the High Level In?
Each subwoofer manufacturer CAN offer different ways to connect. They vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. The manual that comes with your subwoofer will state the various options you have. Follow the manual instead of advice from people here.
With just one proper output from your amp two subs won’t make a huge difference as you would like a left and right output for two subs. Perhaps the subs you select will offer a way to connect to the left and right speaker outputs instead of the one sub output.
As Al said follow instructions from the sub. If you can get a sub with both line level and speaker level that would be best as you can start with line and move up. Sounds like your pre may have a dedicated sub out so see what the low level does too. does it have an internal xover?
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