Subwoofer connection advice - integration consideration with current setup

[record_spot]

On the back of my earlier post from last week re: the AVI DM5s I picked up, I alluded in that to working around connecting my subwoofer (Wharfedale SW150 - their venerable entry level model that's been going for years and is very good for my needs) into my setup.

I'd originally connected the sub up to my Denon DVD-3930 universal player, but that seemed to have difficulty getting the signal to the right hand speaker. Each of the DM5s has an RCA phono lead connecting to the passive switching box's output, into which go my various sources. Occasionally with that player, the right channel dropped out. Panicking, I thought the DM5s had an issue, but this is not the case. I pulled my Sony CDP-911E back into service and none of the issues are present here so there's no problem with the speakers and it sounds excellent into the bargain, however, there's no option for the subwoofer here from the CDP to the DM5s via the switching box.

I brought the Cambridge 752BD in, and that works up to a point for music, but depending on where a Blu-ray disc is being played, then it's a different story oddly. I'm not too bothered about this, but at the same time, I don't want lose out having used a sub with the ADM 9RSS which had a direct subwoofer input on the rear panel. I don't want to go back to the ADM 9s as I prefer the sound of the DM5s. Better clarity for my aging ears and wonderful at low volumes. And I think they look better. About the same cabinet size as the Tannoy DC4s I had a decade ago and I loved those.

I'm now thinking that the passive switching box is the limiting factor here, so I'm looking for opinions on my options - is there anything that has a direct subwoofer input that is a more traditional amp? I doubt it, but my old Onkyo TX8050 did a decade ago (a networked stereo receiver that caused quite the ripple at the time). There's also my other old favourite, the Onkyo TX-NR818 and its' more high end ilk. I used the pre-outs on that with a pair of Acoustic Energy AE22 actives and I've no worries on returning to a similar route.

My gear summary is:-

- Turntable and phono stage
- Various CD players
- Blu-Ray player
- DAC (which hosts the streamer and the TV)
- AVI DM5 actives (no preamp, no DAC, no subwoofer input, current cause of all my hifi woes)

So, any suggestions then folks? I'm good for caution on buying used and the inherent risks with slightly older tech too, all okay there. Won't be going down the Dolby Atmos route anytime soon, and no need for a 4K player either, so the present setup should do for a while yet.

In other words, and if you'll pardon me borrowing from a TV show from a few years back - how do you solve a problem like a subwoofer?!

 

[Deliriumbassist]

Sold a fair few of those SW150s and TXNR8050s back in the before times, in the long, long ago.

What you could do is something like the MiniDSP 2x4HD. This is an active crossover which you would place in the signal path before the AVIs. It has enough outputs to add a subwoofer coming out of it, plus you have the ability to fine tune the integration between the sub and speakers (and alleviate the AVIs of the very lowest frequencies, which would help open them up even more).

miniDSP 2x4 HD

MiniDSP 2x4 HD, a USB DAC+DSP in a low cost package powered by a powerful Sharc 400MHz floating point DSP. The upgraded on-board 400 MHz Analog Devices SHARC processor also ena-bles substantial processing upgrades previously available only on more ex-pensive platforms, such as 96 kHz internal...

www.minidsp.com

2.1 Sub integration + REW

miniDSP is a leading manufacturer of Digital Audio Signal Processors for the HomeTheater, Hifi, headphone and Automotive market. Join our large community of Audiophiles, Engineers and DIYers using our innovative products.

www.minidsp.com

It's a small bit of work to setup, but when it's done, it's done.

 

[gasolin]

preamp ?

 

[record_spot]

preamp ?

I'd be using the preouts on any amp if it was AV or similar. Processors I've seen tend to be older.

 

[record_spot]

Sold a fair few of those SW150s and TXNR8050s back in the before times, in the long, long ago.

What you could do is something like the MiniDSP 2x4HD. This is an active crossover which you would place in the signal path before the AVIs. It has enough outputs to add a subwoofer coming out of it, plus you have the ability to fine tune the integration between the sub and speakers (and alleviate the AVIs of the very lowest frequencies, which would help open them up even more).

miniDSP 2x4 HD

MiniDSP 2x4 HD, a USB DAC+DSP in a low cost package powered by a powerful Sharc 400MHz floating point DSP. The upgraded on-board 400 MHz Analog Devices SHARC processor also ena-bles substantial processing upgrades previously available only on more ex-pensive platforms, such as 96 kHz internal...

www.minidsp.com

2.1 Sub integration + REW

miniDSP is a leading manufacturer of Digital Audio Signal Processors for the HomeTheater, Hifi, headphone and Automotive market. Join our large community of Audiophiles, Engineers and DIYers using our innovative products.

www.minidsp.com

It's a small bit of work to setup, but when it's done, it's done.

Thanks for these, I'll have a look. 👍

 

[record_spot]

Just played the first Follakzoid CD from 2019 and on the current playback, I might not need to get a new bit of kit*.

I had to turn down the passive pre to make sure things weren't awry, but, no, they weren't. The DM5s might be tiny speakers, but by heck do they have enough at decent volumes to deliver a great listening experience.

(*This is of course nonsense.)