OT: Need a little help with adding subwoofers

[LICORNE]

Like valhalex said Altecs are very efficient. You don't want a muddy bass resonance.Even Bass instruments have overtones up to 3 KHZ.
Here is a picture with perfect integration.This picture is from Melaudia Forum.

[VolvoHeretic]

Thanks for the replies guys, it gives me a lot to think about. These Alpines have 85 db sensitivity at one watt/one meter with 300 watts RMS of which at the moment I don't have the power. I don't know how to calculate Alpines to the Altecs as far as the number needed and don't necessarily need to use those speakers for the next pair. I want to do distributed bass and add as many subs as necessary. I also don't know what the best slopes would be for subs, nor the best crossover frequency. Really, I don't know anything. Too bad this is going to cost a lot of coin.

Also, I am chomping at the bit to hook up my refurbished Crown DC300A and newly acquired Soundcraftsman preamp. I still have to drive 50 miles down to the lake cabin to get the patch cords to hook them up.

Edit; I have looked at the Art crossover and it is also in the running.

[Old Guy]

I want to do distributed bass and add as many subs as necessary.

Use ONE good one. Sound at those freqs is essentially omnidirectional. Spreading them out will cause phase issues.

[VolvoHeretic]

Use ONE good one. Sound at those freqs is essentially omnidirectional. Spreading them out will cause phase issues.

What are you saying Old Great one? Distributed Bass is a lie?

[Old Guy]

I have qualms about it. Bass below 100 Hz is pretty omnidirectional. That said, a point source should be more efficient. Many do not use a low enough xover for subs. Lastly, not one to jump on the latest bandwagon.

[hemicuda]

I personally use a Samson S3 - 3 way electronic crossover. It's very nice and sounds great. Got everything you need to do up to 3 way stereo setups or 4/5 way mono. Has a CD Horn button, individual mutes for woof, mid and tweeter on each channel, and has a built in limiter. You can even use a mono or stereo sub, etc. The sub or woofer crossover point is adjustable from 35 hz and up. The unit is built well and has a great warranty also. It uses XLR on for inputs and outputs so you need adapters to run RCA cables. But it's all worth it. I'd say the Alpine subs will sound fine but will need power so they can keep up with the Altecs. A rating of 85dB for 1 watts is inefficient. I wouldn't use any of the crossovers you mentioned personally. I absolutely HATE Behringer equipment. Tried it with a few different pieces and they all sucked compared to better brands. Yes they have a lot of features, lights, bells and whistles but don't sound too great IMHO. Every piece I've had has failed within a short time; way too short. They just don't seem to last long term. I really take care of my equipment and baby it too. I've heard others have good luck with them and like the sound but each to his own. Anyways, good luck and have fun. That's what it's all about.

BTW - you can get a Samson 2 way crossover that's the same for less money. It's of course the S2 model.

[VolvoHeretic]

Thanks Old Great one and Hemi. Just got the wires to hook up the Crown and Soundcraftsmen and freaked out when one of the subs channels was dead. Ripped out all of the wiring, wired and rewired until everything was in knots and finally hooked up the Sony Discman to the Radio Shack switching thingy to the EQ to the pre-amp to the Crown and all is good. It must be the wiring inside the sub box as both subs work, just not at the same time.

Amazing how the Crown sounds compared to the Radio Shack Sherwood amp, it's as if the Sherwood is missing everything below 40hz and above 12,000hz. I don't even have the Piezo's or bass tone boost cranked Tomorrow, hopefully I will get everything sorted out and be able to run the Alpines full range and see what the sensitivity difference between the two is.

Makes me want to re-cone the A7-500s and relive the old day glory.

Listening to Weather Report, "Black Market".

[alancohen]

Like valhalex said Altecs are very efficient. You don't want a muddy bass resonance.Even Bass instruments have overtones up to 3 KHZ.
Here is a picture with perfect integration.This picture is from Melaudia Forum.

Obviously, he is not using his TT much.

[analog addict]

I use a pair of JBL 4685 subwoofers powered by a Hafler DH-500 run through the subwoofer channel of an ART 311 active crossover. This works really well for me. Some folks call the 4685 a "one note wonder", but if that one note is from 25-45 Hz, isn't that the idea? Anyway, you can get the ART for little over $100, and all I'm using is the subwoofer channel, split via a Y connector to both input channels of the Hafler, then run to the two subs....

ART CX311 Stereo 2-Way Crossover with Sub Out 245-862

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...,d.eWU&cad=rja

[VolvoHeretic]

Thanks for the replys. I will give up the quest for an auto audio Xover after looking for hours on the net. Still need hours of research for the pro ones. I have been told that the Crown DC300A puts out up to 300wrms @ 4ohms which is the rating of the Alpines.

I am going to get the patch cords for the Crown tonight and am going to hook up the alpines full range just to see how they do in a .8 cu. ft./ ea. sealed box. If these don't work out, I can use them under my Peavey T300's or maybe the CV Sentry IV's

Here is the latest attemp at using WinISD pro. I used what I think was a 80hz 4th order low band pass, but you never know. I changed it to 50hz which looked better, but I don't have a screen shot yet.