I was just wondering whether the crossover in the cheap sub is likely holding back the MG12s somewhat, since I currently have my speaker cables running from my amp to the sub, and then from the sub to the MG12s.
This weekend I plan to try and run separate cables (1) from my amp to the sub and (2) from my amp to the MG12s. We'll see if that has a noticeable effect on the sound (for better or for worse).
Best regards,
Adam
Adam,
We haven't played with subs and Maggies, but we've definitely encountered this connundrum alot.
For our Orca Subs, our solution is the "Y cables" which is prettymuch a continuous piece of wire that is simply tapped in the middle via banana plugs which are plugged into the sub amp's high level inputs. Its a solder connection at that middle banana plug so it really doesn't hurt the conductivity of the entire speaker cable.
For our Dungeness Subs, we prefer to use the "good speaker wire" going from the stereo amp ->fullranges and then cheap wire going from fullranges' binding posts to sub amp's high level inputs. The draw from the high level inputs of a sub amp is typically so minimal that it does not necessitate really good speaker wire to make that connection. Also, the integrated amp in the Dungeness is a littler one than we use in the Orca Sub, and it has spring clip terminals - impossible to use a banana plug.
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On another note, we never wire the system through the high level in/out section of the sub amps as the binding posts and internal wiring in most sub amps tends to be pretty cheezy. Also, you are adding unnecessary mechanical connections to the signal path of the amp->fullrange, which you are nearly guaranteed to hear. Sometimes it engages a high pass filter (usually a cheap electrolytic capacitor) for the fullranges and this also usually doesn't sound very good.
Overall, we prefer the speaker level inputs versus RCA inputs because the bass reproduction characteristics of the power tube is allowed to come through to both the full range and sub drivers - so that the system's bass balance remains proportional even if you are switching power amps for instance from a bass heavy 300B to a bass shy 45.
With the RCA hookups, you'll tend to need to retune your sub's settings when you swap in different power amps for your fullranges. Just a twitch on the gain knob most often, but it does get a little bit annoying when running double subs for instance.
There are other benefits to the speaker level inputs that are more about the overall subjective sound quality... harder to put into words. So I'll leave it there.
Cheers!
-Clark
