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Sub high or low level input

Mat C

Mat C

pfm Member
Hi, in my previous post I mentioned I am about to upgrade from stand mounted speakers to floor standing speakers, and there are many advice to add a sub instead.

I now use Luxman CL-38u and MQ-88u. The preamp has 2 output, one connected to the power amp.

I had not played subwoofer for a decade since changed from 5.1 to stereo, and realize nowadays sub has high level input. I wonder for music would high level input be better than low level input? What is the advantage or difference?

Thank you.
 
I’ve found that high level sounds better, allowing your active (presumably) subwoofer to decide level and crossover rather than a subwoofer output from amplifier deciding.

Gary
 
H20GNA said:
I’ve found that high level sounds better, allowing your active (presumably) subwoofer to decide level and crossover rather than a subwoofer output from amplifier deciding.
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As far as I know, the Luxman CL-38u preamp doesn't have a subwoofer output. What about using his second set of pre-outs into a sub, compared with using the speaker terminal outputs ? I think that's what the OP is asking.
 
The difference between the line level and speaker level inputs was night and day for me. The sub immediately fell into place with the system with speaker level. You probably don't need anything special in terms of cable either.
 
ampedup said:
As far as I know, the Luxman CL-38u preamp doesn't have a subwoofer output. What about using his second set of pre-outs into a sub, compared with using the speaker terminal outputs ? I think that's what the OP is asking.
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Pre outs work fine into a sub with built in amp.

The general view seems to be High Level for music systems and Pre/LFE out for AV/movie systems. I have tended to use High Level with my Stand-mounts + RELs and Pre/LFE out for my AV surround speaker packages. REL have guides on how to connect High Level - different types of amps need different connections e.g. Class D
https://rel.net/uk/blog/2017-12-27/how-to/connect-rel-class-d-gear/
 
Most subwoofer high level inputs merely put the input through an attenuator then pass the signal to exactly the same circuit as the low level input.

Consequently, the differences between the two should be relatively minimal especially if the low level inputs are fed by a normal, unfiltered, preamp output.
 
Beobloke said:
Most subwoofer high level inputs merely put the input through an attenuator then pass the signal to exactly the same circuit as the low level input.

Consequently, the differences between the two should be relatively minimal especially if the low level inputs are fed by a normal, unfiltered, preamp output.
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I've read (somewhere...) that taking the speaker level connection is 'truer' to the sound of the amp than taking a line output from the pre. This does make some sense and was certainly my experience but YMMV etc.
 
My biggest concern with high-level inputs is the fact that the signal gets "amplified" twice. Any distortion coming from the power amp would be amplified further by the amp in the sub.
 
To be honest, I tried both with my REL. I have stick with the high level though the difference was certainly not night and day. I may try it again as the Yamaha set up is useful.
 
I suspect that the merits of line v's speaker level inputs are very much system dependant so the only answer is to try it for yourself. As I said, in my case it gave a significant improvement in integration and a friend who has the same sub (but different source components) also reported the same favourable results.
 
It's advisable to check if your amplifier employs a 'floating balanced' topology before connecting it to the high level input on the sub, if it does then you may end up releasing some magic smoke.

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Skip forward to 4min 12secs:
 
I still don't get this rationale, I don't buy the fact that you are listening to a speaker signal driving the input then stepped down is better than taking it from normal line level is anything to do with 'sound signature' the sub has different drivers a separate and different power amplifier and usually a different location anyway.... It might sound better or not connected this way but it isn't anything to do with matching the sound of your 'system'

Logic would say, take the same pre output at the same time and feed it into similar power amplifiers wouldn't it .....? not going through two rather than one power amps having the signal designed to drive a speaker reduced to drive a power amp
 
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