Connecting a subwoofer for HiFi only

[aob9]

I have recently purchased a new Wharfedale SW150 sub for my stereo setup to add some depth to my BA A26 speakers connected to my Denon PMA 720 amp. This is my first time using a "proper" sub. I intend to use this for music only. Despite all of my research I have only made myself more confused as to how I should connect this up.

Option 1. RCA "pre-out" from the amp to the line level input on the SW150. The issue I see with this is that every time I adjust the volume on my Denon I will have to get behind the sub to do the same thing. Am I correct about this? If so, it's not an option for me.

Option 2. Speaker level "out" from my "B" speaker outputs to the speaker level "in" on the sub. Theoretically, when I adjust the volume on my main setup this should follow through on the sub. This way I can set the sub up once and let it be. This will also free up the "pre-out" on the amp to feed my headphone amp ( Beresford Capella).

There seems to be some opinion that option two will give me less quality music. Even the SW150 manual suggest the Speaker level input should only be used when no other option is available. Info is limited as most of the cenversation around subs is based on movie soundtracks.

I would be really grateful for some opinions and clarity on this.

 

[davedotco]

Option 1 is the correct way forward.

The pre-outs on the PMA are controlled by the volume so every thing should stay in sync, volume wise.

Connect both pre-outs to the inputs of the sub, set the cutoff to 60hz, the phase to 0 degrees, and the volume to zero. Play some bass heavy music and gradually increase the volume until you can just hear the bass coming from the sub, then turn the volume on the sub down one whole 'notch'.

Use that as a starting point and experiment from there.

 

[aob9]

That is a a huge help. I wasn't aware the pre-out on the amp was variable. Thanks for the help.