Nait XS and a subwoofer
Posted by: Charles44 on 21 October 2015
I am thinking of adding a subwoofer to my system to improve the bass, and notice in the amplifier manual that there is on the amp rear a subwoofer out point. What connection is advised for this ?
You need an appropriate lead with a pair of phono plugs.
make sure your subwoofer accepts high level speaker inputs.
It is preferred ( but not necessary ) to connect the Naim XS back panel speaker terminals to the subwoofer high level inputs so the subwoofer gets exactly the same signals at the same time as the speaker does.
If you go the high level route then make sure you connect from the terminals on the speakers not the ones on the amp.
Using the low level inputs connected via a pair of phono-phono cables works perfectly well and is simple (this is how mine is connected).
Use the high level input if you have to, but in that case do make sure you connect it to the speakers as Richard says.
Using the low level inputs connected via a pair of phono-phono cables works perfectly well and is simple (this is how mine is connected).
Use the high level input if you have to, but in that case do make sure you connect it to the speakers as Richard says.
Excuse my ignorance but I presume this is either low or high level on the subwoofer.
The low level output comes from the pair of phono plugs on the back of the Nait. The high level output comes from the terminals on the back of the speakers.
This is is the reason I bought PMC 23s rather than 21s: the 21s just didn't have the bass extension I wanted. I do wonder whether buying some 23s might be the easiest option.
The low level output comes from the pair of phono plugs on the back of the Nait. The high level output comes from the terminals on the back of the speakers.
This is is the reason I bought PMC 23s rather than 21s: the 21s just didn't have the bass extension I wanted. I do wonder whether buying some 23s might be the easiest option.
HH, the reason for using a sub is to be able to position it independently of the main speakers to get a much more even 'in room' LF response that can be obtained st the location of the main speakers (which have to be positioned for symmetry and for a good mid frequency response, usually making them quite badly compromised for evenness of the LF response).
One useful thing is to get hold of a copy of REW (it's shareware), and use the included room simulator to see the difference between just using the main speakers for the low bass, and having a sub that you can move around.
I did this and it showed me a completely different position for the sub - one that really worked well, but not one I'd ever have thought of trying without seeing the simulation.
Using the low level inputs connected via a pair of phono-phono cables works perfectly well and is simple (this is how mine is connected).
Use the high level input if you have to, but in that case do make sure you connect it to the speakers as Richard says.
Excuse my ignorance but I presume this is either low or high level on the subwoofer.
Don't worry, the only stupid questions are the ones you don't ask!
Yes, they are usually labelled like that on the back of the sub.
HH is right about the connections: The phono connectors are the low level (connect these to the 'sub out' phono connectors on the AMP). The binding posts with 4mm sockets (similar to the connectors on the back of speakers) are the high level inputs (connect these to the back of the speakers). Only use one of these sets at a time though; i.e. use to phonos or the binding posts, but not both.
Low level is called that because the signals are at low voltage - pre-amp output level (also known as line level), so up to 0.7V.
High level is called that because the signals are at higher voltage - speaker drive voltage level, so up to 20V and sometimes more.