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Best way to hook up a sub?

Okay, so I just found a sub tonight (svs sb 12 plus) that has xlr inputs and outputs. Question is what is the best way to incorporate a sub in my system. I can run xlr's into my amp and use the remaining rca's into the sub, but I think I will get a hum if I do this (another ground loop?), and I would rather use xlr's because I just think they sound better. What about an xlr splitter? If I do use a splitter, does a cheap splitter offset the advantage's of high quality Xlr's? If not, would it be better to split the signal at the pre amp, or just run xlr's into the sub from the pre amp, and then from the sub into the amp, as this is possible with this sub?
128x128b_limo
highend64
135 posts
 
Yes room treatment like bass traps would definitely help alot but that would not remove the one-note bass. When you place the sub in between, did you adjust the phase knob?
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b_limo OP
829 posts
 
I did adjust the phase knob when I had it between the speakers but it didn't make much difference. I too was thinking that the corner placement might produce a muddy sound, but it really wasn't, from what I could tell. It's easy enough for me to center it between my speakers so I'll do some more a/b testing tommorrow (girl friend is coming over this afternoon). If I had two subs, wouldn't I be putting them in the front corners anyways though? A corner location is where the svs manual that came with the sub says it sounds best too. When It, positioned between the speakers I turn the volume to about 2 o clock vs 10 o clock for the corner position.
highend64
135 posts
 
I never experience having two subs so I could not tell you. I have my sub in between the speakers which gives me the best blend and bass. I would keep trying with positioning to find the best blend and sound.
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b_limo OP
829 posts
 
Corner placement just blows the center placement away in my particular application. Way more output, way lower bass and not muddy. I think Im going to look into buying another sub for the left side, that way the bass is coming from both areas.
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b_limo OP
829 posts
 
Alright, I moved my sub back to the center of my front wall to give it another try, and yes, it does sound better there. I placed my sub on 4" cinder blocks to try to decouple it from the floor, turned the crossover down to 40hz and turned the gain up. Waaay cleaner and better sounding. You guys were right, I was wrong :-)
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