Preferred Subwoofer Connection

[newprometheus]

I have the Emotive UMC-1 pre-amp/processor, a couple of Elan amplifiers, and a Martin Logan Abyss subwoofer.

Would you expect better or worse performance from the sub if I connected it from the UMC-1 via a 20 ft. high-quality analog subwoofer interconnect (e.g. AudioQuest Sub-1), OR via a pair of 20 ft. speaker cables from my amplifier to the speaker terminals on the sub?

Thank you!

[briank]

Is your sub powered?

Oops, never mind, I see you mentioned the model above and it has a 300 watt amp.

www.martinlogan.com/products/abyss

I stand by my previous recommendation of using a 20ft sub cable plugged into the LFE.
I'm sure other will respond as well with same recommendation.

[newprometheus]

Yes, the Abyss is a powered sub.

[Pauly]

It's powered. Just use a high quality sub cable. Emo, monoprice, Blue Jeans, Zebra Cables, they all make affordable but well made cables.

[newprometheus]

Yes, but just to clarify, it also has speaker terminal binding posts.

[Pauly]

Jan 9, 2013 13:07:20 GMT -5 newprometheus said:

Yes, but just to clarify, it also has speaker terminal binding posts.

Yeah, but I'd still just use the sub cable and let your UMC take care of the crossover work. Does the ML have a crossover in/out switch? If so, then make sure the internal crossover is disabled when using a sub cable to the lfe input. That way you don't have the sub's crossover working in conjunction with the UMC's, which would cause some problems.

[newprometheus]

Jan 9, 2013 13:15:04 GMT -5 Pauly said:

Jan 9, 2013 13:07:20 GMT -5 newprometheus said:

Yes, but just to clarify, it also has speaker terminal binding posts.

Yeah, but I'd still just use the sub cable and let your UMC take care of the crossover work. Does the ML have a crossover in/out switch? If so, then make sure the internal crossover is disabled when using a sub cable to the lfe input. That way you don't have the sub's crossover working in conjunction with the UMC's, which would cause some problems.

I guess what I'm trying to get at is: why would you just use the sub cable rather than the speaker cable? The convenience of just running a single cable? Or do you think that doing so will outperform using the speaker terminals?

Other considerations:
1) The enhanced bass feature in the UMC-1 is currently broken, which means that I can't run my front mains in full range and also utilize the sub if it is connected via a sub cable. However, I can do it if I hook up the sub via the speaker terminals. I want to run my front mains in full range and utilize the sub.

2) I have a two small holes at either end of my floor where I currently route my sub cable through. My plan is to also route my surround channels speaker cable through those same holes. Will running an analog sub cable alongside two pairs of surround channel speaker cable through the bottleneck of those holes cause RFI issues (or some such)? And if so, wouldn't these problems be avoided by running speaker cable to my sub instead?

Thank you!

[Pauly]

Well, using the sub cable is just easier, and it's usually recommended because the AVRs and processors normally do a better job with handling the crossover compared to using the built-in crossover in the sub. However, considering that you want to run your speakers full range with your sub, and since the UMC won't allow you to do that, then maybe it would be better for you to just use speaker cables and use the built-in crossover in the sub. There's nothing wrong with doing that, and you can get it to sound just as good.

I wouldn't worry too much about RFI and stuff when you run your cables through the wall. Just make sure they are well built cables with good shielding. I guess "in-wall" rated would help as well.

[djoel]

I prefer the one with the Y end attachment cable to the L/R Line In's just to avoid any nasty hums. Or if I have the choice in my Sub XLR's.

Just saying.

Dan