I have decided to buy the BK xls200 subwoofer but I have a few questions

Atari2600

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After long Reading of recomendation and reviews I have decided to buy the BK xls200 subwoofer

i just want to say first of all that I am a bit of a noob!

I have a few questions and just alittle confused
the amp/reciever I will be getting will be a yamaha 765 And 90% of the time will used purley for movies and the 10% will be used for music cd,mp3, but to be perfectly honest I am NOT bothered how the sub will sound or perform for this
now normally I would connect a sub to an amp by a sub cable that has RCA connectors , now this bk xls200 sub has also have a high level input now I'm getting and Reading mix comments on wether to connect the sub with the high level connector along with the RCA connector

I read some review that it's better to connect it with the high level and the low level as you would get better bass response (i.e) if a film that had bass that should have been in the lfe and wasn't mixed in there then the high level connector would have picked it up so I would be still hearing the bass that should have been there (some thing along these lines!!)
but then I have been reading posts that the high level is really designed for amp that don't have a sub out connection so there's really no point in using the high level if you have got a sub out on your amp

the high level cable that will be supplied will not be long enough for me so can I just extend the cable by using Some wire connector blocks or some thing? Or is best to buy a longer length cable?

As this sub is so versatile it has so many knobs on there how easy is this sub to set up?

In my opinion I am spending alot of money in creating my home cinema and want to get the best sound and get it right the first time round, I want to get as close to how the directors of the movie was meant to be with what I have got.

Thanks for Reading I will be waiting for all your thoughts and opinions pls
 
but to be perfectly honest I am NOT bothered how the sub will sound or perform for this

So you go to the length of asking all these questions? :D

The easiest answer is to try it and see what you think.

Some say the high level gives you better integration for music, because of the differing roll-off in the crossover.

But, imo, an RCA connection is perfectly good as long as it's set up properly.

if a film that had bass that should have been in the lfe and wasn't mixed in there then the high level connector would have picked it up so I would be still hearing the bass that should have been there (some thing along these lines!!)

As long as the setup is good, it shouldn't matter whether the bass is coming from the sub or the speakers at these higher bass frequencies, as long as both are capable, so this imo, is tosh.
But I'm sure others might disagree.

can I just extend the cable by using Some wire connector blocks or some thing?

While it's not the prettiest way of doing it, that would work fine, imo.

As this sub is so versatile it has so many knobs on there how easy is this sub to set up?

It's easier if you use the low level.

You set the sub's crossover to max or off, set the volume to halfway, leave phase at 0, set the amp's crossover to 80hz and you're all set to run the setup.
With high level, you have to adjust the sub's crossover to best integrate.
 
Totally agree with Badger, go with the RCA. As far as music is concerned my XLS was a bit of shock, it's stunning.

I was in exactly the same boat a few weeks back, followed the intructions that came with the XLS200 ( 3 or 4 steps i think..) and the advice of the guys on here and turned it on. An amazing transformation.
 
From my experience with REL subs (check the forums for similarities) I would say use the speaker input, but set all your speakers to 'large' via the amp, that way the sub only reinforces the front speakers (the ones you take the high level input from) & leaves the LFE output untouched as far as the amp is concerned.
Works well enough for me.
 
I would say use the speaker input, but set all your speakers to 'large' via the amp

Interesting.

So you throw power at the speakers when it could be better utilised?

Each to their own, I guess :)
 
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Interesting.

So you throw power at the speakers when it could be better utilised?

Each to their own, I guess :)

That's what I am saying, but I'm kind of assuming integration would be better than on & off, especially when running a smallish front with a big sub (big is relative). If the front speakers have a decent roll off, or X-over at their given frequency response, then the amp would not be using it's power, but the sub would sound smother giving a more integrated response.
In fairness I know little about cinema systems, but I do like my music.

Cheers.

Edit, having re-read your post, I think we nearly agree, but then my amp, like many others do not allow you the luxury of adjusting the LPF, or how step the roll off curve is, its set in stone, often to high...
 
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but I'm kind of assuming integration would be better than on & off, especially when running a smallish front with a big sub (big is relative). If the front speakers have a decent roll off, or X-over at their given frequency response, then the amp would not be using it's power

Where does the "on & off" come from?
You mention on and off, but speak about roll off in the same breath :confused:
A crossover set by the amp is not on and off.
You will get a roll off either way, the difference is differing rates.

I'd suggest the whole thing is a misnomer and it just depends on how things work in your room.

You're correct in that they won't use the amp below the crossover.
As long as the crossover is set correctly.

And if you aren't going to go down the road of accurately measuring, I'd say go low level, simple.

But of course "golden ears" do help.
I don't have them :(
 
Edit, having re-read your post, I think we nearly agree, but then my amp, like many others do not allow you the luxury of adjusting the LPF, or how step the roll off curve is, its set in stone, often to high...

Having read your edit, I think I might be coming across as a bit harsh.

That's not the intention, I can assure you :smashin:

You make a valid point mate :)

I still totally fail to see the advantage of LPF adjustment though and highly suspect it's just another load of twaddle, designed to confuse.

Fwiw, I'm an ex radio ham, so I know exactly what filters do (neutral smiley).
 
I'm just totally confused with the recent post's
all gone over my head!

I understand that the easiest method To connect the sub would be with the low level

Am I right in saying that the high level is really designed for listening to music so you get a better faster bass responce as well as if your amp dosent have a dedIcated sub out? But the high level can also improve the bass for movies

I have been Reading that if I connect the sub with the high level and also the low level then I would have to adjust the controls on the sub for the high level re cross over - well isn't this as simple as if for example your front speakers can go lowest to 100 hz so then I would set the knob on the high level control to 100 hz ? So anything from this and under the sub will take care of it? Or is it not as simple as this ?
 
You won't really get a better faster response, but you may be able to get a better overlap between your main speakers and the sub if the main speakers are set on large. If you set your main speakers to small there isn't really any point in using the high level inputs (with one or two specialist exceptions). For the vast majority, especially if your major interest is movies, the high level inputs are best left alone, unless you simply want to try them out when you have some free time on your hands.

Dave
 
You won't really get a better faster response, but you may be able to get a better overlap between your main speakers and the sub if the main speakers are set on large. If you set your main speakers to small there isn't really any point in using the high level inputs (with one or two specialist exceptions). For the vast majority, especially if your major interest is movies, the high level inputs are best left alone,
Dave

what do you mean by specialist exceptions?
The speakers will be set to small,

Why do HCC say in there review re this sub that it's best to connect both high level and low level and they gave the lion king movie for an example re the bass (elephants foot steps) by going on what they wrote isn't it better to have both type of connectors connected as you would NOT be loosing any bass ? Otherwise you would be loosing some bass sound and surley no 1 wants that especially when they are investing alot of money?

I know that 1 of the forum friend posted that if you have set up the sub correctley if using the low level then you won't miss/loose that bass sound, but I don't know how it's possible as low level is LFE and I know he said that your front speakers should take care of the high level bass but what if the front speakers can't go low enough to take care of that high level bass? Then you would have that gap were neither the sub is producing it as it's not set to and the speakers aren't as they can't go to that frequency ?

am I making sence or have I got it all wrong and not understanding it at all and tottaly confused ?
 
If you set your amp so the speakers are set to small then the sub would get no high level signal to reproduce from your amp, so it's right that there would be no point in using the high level input.

If you set your amp so the front speakers are large (amp outputs a full frequency signal), then the sub would get a signal to reproduce. This comes with its own set up issues as you have to integrate the two inputs, you need to set up the LFE without the high level connected & vice versa, you really need to set the high level with music you know rather than a film, when your happy with both then connect the two simultaneously & your done.

If you go to the rel website REL Acoustics : Great Britan's most acclaimed Sub Bass Systems & then look at the products you can view a PDF of the manual.

Hope that helps.
 
Can I use low level if my amp doesn't support it?

i.e, Would the output from my sound card be suitable?

Cheers!
 

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