Now... onto subs...

[70sMac]

To the folks in The Lounge.....

Yes, I've started a few threads here, but we wish to get back to other projects, so we've recently made several purchases for the proposed A/V room -- and most of them were influenced by posts we received right here, on the AAF, so many thanks to any and all who've helped us along.

Okay, now that we have our physical media players, our new B&W center, a good A/V pre-pro and, just today, our new multichannel (MC) power amp, there's only one hole that needs to be filled: a decent subwoofer.

Bearing in mind that we now have seven channels of Mac amplification, it doesn't seem imperative to purchase an active subwoofer (sub). Although we only recently installed the soundbar and active subwoofer that we purchased with our LG OLED TV -- and have clearly heard the difference they both make -- we're still only looking to set up a 5.1 system, so we have two extra channels of amplification to work with. Are we correct in assuming that one of said extra channels can be designated for use with a passive sub?

In general, thoughts on passive and active subs will, as ever, be greatly appreciated and read with much interest.

[Kal Rubinson]

I am not a fan of passive subs because they need DSP in addition to amps.

[70sMac]

Originally Posted by Kal Rubinson

I am not a fan of passive subs because they need DSP in addition to amps.

Kal..... Please remember that we're talking 'Audio for Dummies' here. Does DSP stand for Digital Signal Processing?

[Kal Rubinson]

Yes.

[Weirdcuba]

It’s not one hole - it’s two, as you need TWO subs.

[Antonmb]

Active subs make things much simpler, as Kal says because of the need for DSP. I missed the post where you identified your pre/pro, but I’m assuming it has a sub output, in which case it’s providing a processed signal to the sub. Also in a home theater setup, the bass can often require large bursts of power for those dramatic special effects, and a good powered sub will be optimized to provide those quick bursts without putting any strain on the main amp. Most of the reasonably priced subs out there are powered anyway.

[70sMac]

Originally Posted by Weirdcuba

It’s not one hole - it’s two, as you need TWO subs.

Yikes!

[70sMac]

Originally Posted by Antonmb

Active subs make things much simpler, as Kal says because of the need for DSP. I missed the post where you identified your pre/pro, but I’m assuming it has a sub output, in which case it’s providing a processed signal to the sub. Also in a home theater setup, the bass can often require large bursts of power for those dramatic special effects, and a good powered sub will be optimized to provide those quick bursts without putting any strain on the main amp. Most of the reasonably priced subs out there are powered anyway.

Antonmb..... Thanks for the reply, sir. The pre-pro we will start out with is a Mac MX121.

Okay, so no need to fear the lightning when it comes to [active] subs...and, if they're easier on
our Mac amps, so much the better.

[crwilli]

Bill, Active Subs will have their own power amplifiers built in.

[Kal Rubinson]

Originally Posted by 70sMac

Antonmb..... Thanks for the reply, sir. The pre-pro we will start out with is a Mac MX121.

Really? I appreciate your allegiance to McIntosh but that is an old device and things evolve faster in the prepro area than they do in preamps, power amps or speakers.

Is that an irrevocable decision? Audyssey XT?