DC-1 with Dual Subs

[brand]

So I'm planning to get a second sub for the bedroom setup and I'm not quite sure how I would go about connecting the subs. Right know I'm using the balanced outputs for the UPA-1s and a 2/2 cinch cable to connect the sub.

I do own 2/1 "sub" cables, will I be able to use them? One of the subs needs a 40 ft cable so I'd be nice if I could and not have to rebuy.

So how do I connect two SVS SB2000s to a DC-1 using the unbalanced outputs? Specifically how do I do it while making sure both subs get the "full signal" (i don't know how else to describe it^^)

[vcautokid]

The easiest way is to come out the RCA line outs left and right. One line going to each Subwoofer. The signal coming out of the DC-1 is always full bandpass. There is no bass management in the DC-1. So unless you have the required RCA cables presently of the correct lengths, you will need to purchase the appropriate length for each Subwoofer coming from the DC-1 RCA line outputs. Simply adjust the Subwoofer roll off to correspond to the natural roloff of the speakers that are listened too currently. Setup Subwoofer levels to match your speaker levels. Some fine tuning. You are all set.

[brand]

Jul 7, 2016 14:42:30 GMT -5 vcautokid said:

The easiest way is to come out the RCA line outs left and right. One line going to each Subwoofer. The signal coming out of the DC-1 is always full bandpass. There is no bass management in the DC-1. So unless you have the required RCA cables presently of the correct lengths, you will need to purchase the appropriate length for each Subwoofer coming from the DC-1 RCA line outputs. Simply adjust the Subwoofer roll off to correspond to the natural roloff of the speakers that are listened too currently. Setup Subwoofer levels to match your speaker levels. Some fine tuning. You are all set.

So 1 Y-Cable for each sub is all I need then? My worry was with certain tracks where certain sounds are only mixed to either the left or right channel, is that not an issue?

[unsound]

Jul 7, 2016 17:16:15 GMT -5 brand said:

Jul 7, 2016 14:42:30 GMT -5 vcautokid said:

The easiest way is to come out the RCA line outs left and right. One line going to each Subwoofer. The signal coming out of the DC-1 is always full bandpass. There is no bass management in the DC-1. So unless you have the required RCA cables presently of the correct lengths, you will need to purchase the appropriate length for each Subwoofer coming from the DC-1 RCA line outputs. Simply adjust the Subwoofer roll off to correspond to the natural roloff of the speakers that are listened too currently. Setup Subwoofer levels to match your speaker levels. Some fine tuning. You are all set.

So 1 Y-Cable for each sub is all I need then? My worry was with certain tracks where certain sounds are only mixed to either the left or right channel, is that not an issue?

I would think it would be as DC-1 uses 2 separate DACs for left and right from what I remember. So, if you really want the "summed" output to each sub, you'll have to feed each sub with an L and R signal. So, 2 Y-splitters from the DC-1.

[garbulky]

Jul 7, 2016 17:16:15 GMT -5 brand said:

Jul 7, 2016 14:42:30 GMT -5 vcautokid said:

The easiest way is to come out the RCA line outs left and right. One line going to each Subwoofer. The signal coming out of the DC-1 is always full bandpass. There is no bass management in the DC-1. So unless you have the required RCA cables presently of the correct lengths, you will need to purchase the appropriate length for each Subwoofer coming from the DC-1 RCA line outputs. Simply adjust the Subwoofer roll off to correspond to the natural roloff of the speakers that are listened too currently. Setup Subwoofer levels to match your speaker levels. Some fine tuning. You are all set.

So 1 Y-Cable for each sub is all I need then? My worry was with certain tracks where certain sounds are only mixed to either the left or right channel, is that not an issue?

Not an issue imo. Think of duals subs as simply being the bass cone of stereo full range speakers. If stereo full range speakers don't have an issue then neither will you.
Now movies with their 0.1 channel etc is a different story. But the DC-1 will not decode the .1 channel in blu ray.

[novisnick]

point of information,

I have the choice of running subs from the DC-1 or my C220, I've opted for the C220 for a couple of reasons. First the C220 has two full range outputs, besides the main which are each defeatable. So, I can add one two or no subs to whatever music I'm listening to.

Also, i can controll each subs crossover at the plate amp and I can feed each sub from two different sources,,,,,,just DON'T so it at the same time!!!! 

From the DC-1 I couldn't do all that.

thanks brand for this thread, not sure I would have thought of doing this without you.   Y'all got me to thinking.

any thoughts about my configuration? Any questions? Anything I could do better?
Always looking for more with less! 

[unsound]

Jul 7, 2016 19:26:54 GMT -5 garbulky said:

Jul 7, 2016 17:16:15 GMT -5 brand said:

So 1 Y-Cable for each sub is all I need then? My worry was with certain tracks where certain sounds are only mixed to either the left or right channel, is that not an issue?

Not an issue imo. Think of duals subs as simply being the bass cone of stereo full range speakers. If stereo full range speakers don't have an issue then neither will you.
Now movies with their 0.1 channel etc is a different story. But the DC-1 will not decode the .1 channel in blu ray.

If you're not EQing the subs, then it's fine. However, if you do plan to EQ the subs, your best results will be to feed them the same signal and EQ as 1 sub, IMO. Assuming you're crossing over at 80 Hz or below, there is no benefit to feeding L to 1 sub and R to another. There, however, is a drawback because you'll need to EQ them separately and that won't give you the best results when both L and R have the same content in the Subs' frequency range.

[brand]

Jul 7, 2016 19:05:05 GMT -5 unsound said:

Jul 7, 2016 17:16:15 GMT -5 brand said:

So 1 Y-Cable for each sub is all I need then? My worry was with certain tracks where certain sounds are only mixed to either the left or right channel, is that not an issue?

I would think it would be as DC-1 uses 2 separate DACs for left and right from what I remember. So, if you really want the "summed" output to each sub, you'll have to feed each sub with an L and R signal. So, 2 Y-splitters from the DC-1.

Sorry couldn't answer before. So I'd be using 2 y-splitters and 2 y-cables? Like this:



My last question would be (if I use 2 y-splitters) does it then make a difference if i run y-cables to the subs or do i need to use 2x2 cinch cables? I always thought it didn't matter but now I'm not sure.

[garbulky]

You could. But what I wold do is take the XLR to the amps. The RCA to the subs but not summed. I would do it where the left RCA goes to the one sube the right goes to the other....even if you stack the subs in a corner on top of each other - which sounded surprisingly good when B'zilla did.

[unsound]

Jul 11, 2016 18:53:48 GMT -5 brand said:

Jul 7, 2016 19:05:05 GMT -5 unsound said:

I would think it would be as DC-1 uses 2 separate DACs for left and right from what I remember. So, if you really want the "summed" output to each sub, you'll have to feed each sub with an L and R signal. So, 2 Y-splitters from the DC-1.

Sorry couldn't answer before. So I'd be using 2 y-splitters and 2 y-cables? Like this:



My last question would be (if I use 2 y-splitters) does it then make a difference if i run y-cables to the subs or do i need to use 2x2 cinch cables? I always thought it didn't matter but now I'm not sure.

Yes, that's what I was suggesting. You would just run the y-cables to the subs.
As mentioned before, the method indicated by garbulky is also fine if you aren't EQing the subs. If you are EQing them, it's best to get the same content to both subs and EQ them as 1 combined sub.

Edit: I should mention that you would set the phase on the subs individually (to get max combined SPL at listening position) before you EQ them as 1 combined sub.

[garbulky]

I have no experience with eq, so if this is something you are planning on doing you should probably not listen to me!

[AudioHTIT]

I don't quite see how you would get EQ into a system as simple as a DAC driving the amps and subs directly (nor would you need it).

[KeithL]

WARNING !!!!

While it's perfectly OK to use a y-splitter to send one output to two destination devices....
It is NOT OK to use a "reverse y-cable" to combine two sources to a single destination.
By doing so you are SHORTING the two outputs together - which is not at all a good idea.
This could cause excessive distortion, reduce your separation, or even cause permanent damage to your source device or devices.... )
(Note that some devices won't mind at all, and many won't be damaged, but you can't count on it.... it might work OK with the DC-1, but I can't promise it, and I don't advise taking the chance.)
If you're trying to combine two sources to the same input, then you really should use a cable that's intended for that purpose - with built-in mixing resistors.

Alternately, I would strongly suggest you look at one of these.....
It provides an actual crossover, and a pair of summed outputs for each sub, and it's passive (and so shouldn't add any noise or distortion).

www.hlabs.com/products/crossovers/index_files/Page384.htm
(you want the 2W1 model)

It has both the high-pass and low-pass filters in it - so it is an actual crossover.
You can set each to a variety of different frequencies.
It also provides SUMMED sub outputs - and so does everything you're doing with all those Y-cables (but it's doing it safely and properly).

Also note that you CAN use one of these to connect the two subs - even if you use the balanced outputs for your mains.
However, then you won't be getting the benefit of the high-pass filter on your mains.

(If each of your subs has TWO RCA inputs, which some do, then you're fine. In that case, the mixing resistors are inside the sub, and using a pair of Y-cables to SPLIT the signal so you have a left and right signal to send to each sub is just fine. It's only dangerous to COMBINE signals using a Y-cable.)

Jul 11, 2016 23:07:01 GMT -5 unsound said:

Jul 11, 2016 18:53:48 GMT -5 brand said:

Sorry couldn't answer before. So I'd be using 2 y-splitters and 2 y-cables? Like this:



My last question would be (if I use 2 y-splitters) does it then make a difference if i run y-cables to the subs or do i need to use 2x2 cinch cables? I always thought it didn't matter but now I'm not sure.

Yes, that's what I was suggesting. You would just run the y-cables to the subs.
As mentioned before, the method indicated by garbulky is also fine if you aren't EQing the subs. If you are EQing them, it's best to get the same content to both subs and EQ them as 1 combined sub.

Edit: I should mention that you would set the phase on the subs individually (to get max combined SPL at listening position) before you EQ them as 1 combined sub.

[unsound]

Jul 12, 2016 9:52:29 GMT -5 KeithL said:

WARNING !!!!

While it's perfectly OK to use a y-splitter to send one output to two destination devices....
It is NOT OK to use a "reverse y-cable" to combine two sources to a single destination.
By doing so you are SHORTING the two outputs together - which is not at all a good idea.
This could cause excessive distortion, reduce your separation, or even cause permanent damage to your source device or devices.... )
(Note that some devices won't mind at all, and many won't be damaged, but you can't count on it.... it might work OK with the DC-1, but I can't promise it, and I don't advise taking the chance.)
If you're trying to combine two sources to the same input, then you really should use a cable that's intended for that purpose - with built-in mixing resistors.

Alternately, I would strongly suggest you look at one of these.....
It provides an actual crossover, and a pair of summed outputs for each sub, and it's passive (and so shouldn't add any noise or distortion).

www.hlabs.com/products/crossovers/index_files/Page384.htm
(you want the 2W1 model)

It has both the high-pass and low-pass filters in it - so it is an actual crossover.
You can set each to a variety of different frequencies.
It also provides SUMMED sub outputs - and so does everything you're doing with all those Y-cables (but it's doing it safely and properly).

Also note that you CAN use one of these to connect the two subs - even if you use the balanced outputs for your mains.
However, then you won't be getting the benefit of the high-pass filter on your mains.

(If each of your subs has TWO RCA inputs, which some do, then you're fine. In that case, the mixing resistors are inside the sub, and using a pair of Y-cables to SPLIT the signal so you have a left and right signal to send to each sub is just fine. It's only dangerous to COMBINE signals using a Y-cable.)

That's a good point, Keith. However, the subs that the OP is using do have 2 RCA (L,R) inputs so that shouldn't be a problem here. They also have an LPF which will serve some of the purpose, although probably not as well as the crossover you pointed out.

Edit: Just looked at the crossover mentioned by Keith. It's pretty cool and inexpensive.

[brand]

Thanks for all the answers. I'm still not entirely sure how I could safely use the 40 ft y-cable that i have but I think I never will be

As for KeithL crossover, I see the benefit of a summed output for each sub but can I also use it without setting a crossover? The SVS Subs provide a crossover themselves. As for the mains I just let them go however low they can and set the crossover for the sub accordingly up to this point.