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Hi,Can anyone tell me whether when connecting satellites directly to a sub using the speaker level hook-up the crossover cuts the lower frequencies to the satellite speakers?
I'm using a used Paradigm PDR-12 subwoofer (so no manual). My amp doesn't have a LF output to the sub so I'm using the speaker level connection. I guess I can either connect the satellites directly to the amp and also connect the sub to the amp in parallel, or, I can connect the sub to the amp and then connect the satellites to the sub. It's the second configuration I'm wondering about. The crossover ranges between 50hz and 150hz and I'm wondering if connecting the satellites directly to the sub will prevent the signal or frequencies below the crossover point from being sent to the satellites. If not is this something an external crossover would do? I'd like to relieve the satellites from having to handle the lower frequencies that can be handled by the sub; however, I'm not sure whether that's happening.
Any insight would be appreciated.
Thanks.
Steve W.
Follow Ups:
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- http://www.paradigm.com/Website/SiteParadigmProduct/PReviews/Paradigm/ETown/etPDR12.pdf (Open in New Window)
Hi,Since there are no speaker level outputs should I assume that the crossover adjustment merely sets the ceiling on the sub's output and doesn't otherwise effect output; i.e., the satellites? Seems to be the obvious deduction.
Thanks for your help.
Yes it does xover through those connects as well as the low level
connect
Hi,Thanks for responding. I dawned on me last night though that since there is only one pair of line level connectors/terminals--which means the speaker cables from the amp to the sub come in contact with the cables connecting the satellites to the sub--the practical effect is that there is an unfiltered signal travelling from the cables leading from the amp to the cables leading to the satellites. I dont see how the signal to the satellites could be filtered.
On the other hand, if I connected the sub to the amp via an LFE connection and then connected the satellites to the sub, there would be the potential for the lower frequencies not to be passed along to the satellites. I don't have an LFE output on my amp so that is not an option.
It seems to me that connecting all the speaker cables to the one set of terminals on the sub results in the creation of a signal path straight from the amp to the satellites and, therefore, no filtered signal to the satellites.
Am I wrong about this?
Hi Steve,Looking at the Paradigm website, there is no info on whether the Speaker level Satellite output is filtered.
It mentions the "Subwoofer cut-off frequency" as Variable 50hz to 150hz. It appears that it does NOT filter the speaker level satellite output.
There R several ways one could check. One is with a DVM as djk suggested, another is to connect your main speakers thru the sub and turn down the sub all the way. If U still get the same low frequency info from your main speakers vs. when they R connected directly to your amp, then the sub is not filtering the satellites.
U could also pull the amp from the rear panel and have a look-see.
U could send an e-mail to their Technical Support at the following address: techsup@paradigm.com
I could not find a phone number for Paradigm anywhere so I guess a call is out.
Cheers,
You can use your ohm meter to find out for sure.Measure for continuity from the sub input to the sat output terminals. If you have continuity then there is no filter.
If you have no continuity then I recommend opening up the sub and adding a 10uF film cap across the electrolytic used for the crossover.
Alternately you can just run an external filter and use good parts.
Hi,Thanks for responding. I have a Radio Shack Multimeter--I'm guessing that measures ohm's. I have no electrical training. The only input/output on the sub is the LFE and the speaker level connection. The speaker level connection serves as both input and output for the speaker cables--I suppose that answers the question--since both the cables from the amp to the sub and then from the sub to the speakers are touching, the signal to the speakers must be coming from the amp, at the very least the connections are not isolated and therefore the signal to the speaker cant possibly be filtered. Does this make sense?
Thanks
Sounds like there is no crossover there.Very simple to add one, see diagram. You notice there is only a 150uF cap between the in and out terminals on the sub. An electrolytic is usually used here for size and price reasons. This is OK, but add a small value film cap in parallel as I suggested earlier.
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