Vandersteen 2WQ

+1 John! I can attest that what JohnnyR @ Audioconnection is saying is spot on, IME. I am now borrowing a different amplifier for my rig, and with the Ohm Walsh 2000s, I am once again getting a seemless blend between subs and mains. Yet, and this is key, the connection scheme of the 2Wqs allows me to hear quite clearly the differences between my amp and the borrowed amps. I can hear the differences in the frequencies covered by the 2Wqs as well as the frequencies covered by my Ohms. The 2Wq is a pretty unique product, and a heckuva value, IMHO.

I apologize if I'm highjacking the thread a little bit, but I've been looking at the 2WQ and this thread seems to be a good place to ask my questions.
1) Are the 2WQ meant to simply extend the bass response beyond the frequency of the main speaker, or also fix the in-room bass response - address the bass response in the room and make it "better" (tighter, more defined)? Reading the 2WQ's manual on the Vandersteen website, it seems that they are supposed to actually improve the bass response beyond simply making it deeper despite room/speaker placement limitations.

2) How do you connect the subwoofers to your existing equipment? The diagram in the manual is very confusing to me. You connect your line preamp to a crossover, crossover to the main amp, and then perform some weird cable crossover between the speakers and the subs? How does the amp know what frequencies to send where?

3) High pass filters. Only the "higher" frequencies go through to the main speaker, while the low frequencies go to the subwoofer, right? Does that mean that if I have a rumble problem with my turntable my main speakers will no longer exhibit woofer pumping?

Thank you for any clarification and again I apologize for taking the thread off topic.

((( Are the 2WQ meant to simply extend the bass response beyond the frequency of the main speaker,))) Yes
(((also fix the in-room bass response))) Yes
(((address the bass response in the room and make it "better" (tighter, more defined)?))) Yes
((( Reading the 2WQ's manual on the Vandersteen website, it seems that they are supposed to actually improve the bass response beyond simply making it deeper despite room/speaker placement limitations))))
A Vandersteen 2 WQ or pair of 2WQs allow bass to enter into the room more evenly. This will even out the in room Bass response.
When you even out the bass response the whole frequincy responce just blends better.

((How do you connect the subwoofers to your existing equipment))

Simple the 2WQ gets its input at speaker level.
This has its advantages as the sub amp will
now take on the same character as your main speaker amp.

((((High pass filters. Only the "higher" frequencies go through to the main speaker, while the low frequencies go to the subwoofer, right?))))

Think of a high pass as the device that takes the load off of the main Amp/speaker by allowing less of the lowest bass into the main amp.
This lowers the distortion by four times dramatically improving dynamics clarity and transparency of the whole system.
Isolation of a turntable away from moving surfaces is
always best.
JohnnyR
Vandersteen dealer

@ Actusreus...
the setup has the main speakers and the sub receiving the same signal. this signal is high passed, ie, the low frequencies are gradually rolled (80 hz, 6 db per octave) between the preamp and the poweramp. the main amp and the main speakers are therefore relieved of the lowest octaves. the amp in the vandy sub then boosts the signal to recover what the high pass filter removed - it's incredibly effective and the most seamless integration i've ever attained with a sub (velodyne, jl audio, vandersteen) and mains (wilson, revel).

Thanks guys. My listening area is rather small (11x12x9 but open on one side and somewhat enlarged by another 3x7 area plus a walk-in closet and bathroom). Taming the bass is obviously a challenge and the idea of a subwoofer seems counter intuitive since I'm already trying to control what my big monitors put out. Hence my question whether adding a pair of 2WQ would actually help in my situation, or make it worse?