Thats going to be a hard sell because most pro gear is garbage. Add to that, most recordings are not very good. So, from an audiophiles standpoint, we don't have a lot of faith in pro audio. No one is going to take advice from people that sets the bar so low. When was the last time you heard pro audio system that equals or rivals the sound quality of even a modest high end system? Almost never. (I know that some high end recording studios do have high quality gear. But, they're the exception, not the norm.) "This is how pro audio has been done forever. Audiophiles everywhere should pick up on this." You have it backwards. Pro audio people tend to have virtually no understanding of how good components work. There's more to looking at what type of connectors are on the back, or what type of dac chip is used. There are different ways to build things. 2 xovers may look similar on the outside, but not inside. To start with, there are different ways a component can be balanced. The correct way is to make the component fully differential in design. 99% of all pro audio gear is not fully differential. They just slap some xlr connectors on the back and do point to point balancing. Why? Because its much cheaper and a lot easier to implement, but is in no way a fully balanced design. Most balanced audiophile gear is. If you're interested, so some research, and if there's anything you don't understand, post, and I'll do my best to explain it.
@@AT-wl9yqthere are companies like Beyma and 18sound that make some excellent drivers. They are normally used in Pro Audio but can be used by DIYers in home audio too. I haven’t used 18Sound but have used Beyma.
Thanks OCD Mikey! I am currently building a set of home stereo cabinets and came across this product, I can’t wait to add it into my system. Currently I am using a car audio active crossover. Just to note if anyone hasn’t said it already: using this style crossover, you will have to have 3 separate 2 channel amplifiers to run two 3 way speakers. -1 for your tweeters (less than 100 watts) -1 for your mids (about 100 watts) -1 for your woofers (depending on the woofer about 300 watts).
I’m doing the same thing here and using this! Im in amp decision mode. Any advice? Lows are getting Hypex NCore. I still need mids and high with a $2000 budget.
You have all my respect Mike! One of the things I liked more about you when I was first visiting your channel, was your ethics and integrity. Glad to see you're still that man.👏👏👏👏👍👍👍👍!
I know this video is old. And Mike I never, ever put comments....ever....I'm a lurker....but man...can I tell you? Well Done, Brother! I love the ENTIRE sentiment here. You're the best.
as always ya speak the truth to the tribe your a stand up dude . ya i found this product a few years ago and used it for my maggies and the servo subs i built . i couldn't be happier with it . i couldn't afford to get a bigger unit made so i tried this one and its awesome thanks for letting people know about it it is the right way to do it even more so to use multiple amps . keep up the amazing stuff bro cheers mike .
No mention of using this to split signal for biamping speakers? My pre/pro has a configurable sub output, but I needed to separate highs/lows to 2 separate amps. I matched frequency and slope requirements for my ADS L1290s when I ordered (50Hz and 500Hz & 12dB/octive). Works perfectly!
I’ve been using a K231 in my main system with Dunlavy SC-IV/a’s, and despite the conventional wisdom that these must be run full range and the subs aren’t needed, it turns out they sound the best when paired with sealed subs and dialed in with the K231. I tried many other configs and got muddy results, but this pairing results in precise bass. And as my sources get better, the K231 always brings this through. Seriously the lynchpin that holds my top and bottom end together and the most valuable product in my system when it comes to quality for price. I really wish there was a large chassis version with 3-pin XLR, but I run Mogami balanced now and it sounds wonderful and supports TRS. Note that you need to measure (REW) and refine to get good results with a crossover.
@@donnywidodo8874I bought the bigger K235 and it sounded great and worked great. It has developed a white noise issue though and waiting for them to get back to me.
This is so true and I haven’t seen many non-pro actives that do this simply. Rel drives me nuts with their hi level subwoofer integration that never blends correctly.
Paul McGowan of PS Audio has said for years that the sub should be connected to the output of the main amp (high level) to get the wonderful flavor of the main amp into the sub. Thanks for showing us your way of connecting the sub.
@Random that actually incorrect whoever said that. The correct way to add a subwoofer is to use an electronic crossover and 2 separate amplifiers preferably one that has DSP so you can time align it (most DSPs come will supplied microphones).
Hell yeah, good on you man. It would be nice to see others do the same. One of the reasons things in the U.S are going from bad to worse is because we produce little to nothing here. Politicians pushing taxation so high on business that some of them are force to do production somewhere else.
👍 Dig it. I love my Sublime Acoustic X-over! Thank you for recommending last year, Mike. It sounds so much better than using the high-level REL inputs.
I have 2.1 system, Onken loudspeakers 6,5" Purifi/MIDS, 16" Supravox/ Woofer and Raal 140-15D/ tweeters. 3 amps and 1 subwoofer JL Audio E110. Preamp Allnic L1500 and crossover Sublime 231, cross 250/2500 hzs, modules 24 dbs I am not sure about fixing the BSC knob, its not clear in the manual Very good product , and you did a good review Best regards CArlos
I'm very pro active XO... Removing bass from the poweramp that drives the highs has an audioble effect no one talks about. Gonna tips others about this XO :)
Which REL model you looking at? I just checked the latest REL model (HT/1003) and it has LEF and crossover dial etc. I think the older subs had the speaker cable inputs instead of LFE and built in crossover. I think this is still useful because most integrated amps still force full frequency range to main speakers.
Please Mike what do you think of the MG-12 Maggie's ?? I made the modification to the fuses and put Caradas plugs on it close to the job you done with your Maggie's... THANK for the advice cause it change in better way the details etc of the sound.....but do you like MG-12 ???
I really appreciate the recommendation, I been using a Rolls Brand(Guitar Center brands) and I been searching for something like this, i got a bunch a boards from the AliExpress but bare boards and they are good to a certain extent and the seperate toroidal power supply they need for proper operation, not conventional, but this. Im excited, will be ordering tomorow :-). Hope they know what kinda impact you will have on them, this vid earned you a new subscriber btw, honesty and compassion are a rare thing these days, im glad i stumbled on your video. Thanks again.
Thanks Mikey! I just ordered one of these and four modules to experiment. 75, 80, 85 and 90hz @ 24db. Also picked up some TSR to XLR cables to run off of my DAC/Preamp to the unit and out to my amp. Kind of pricey vs the Rolls SX45 I am using, but this should be incredibly accurate in regards to the frequency selection vs the Rolls. The speakers are the Maggie LRS+ and a pair of the REL T-Zero subs. Those subs are 35hz to 90hz, hence the selection of the frequency modules. Anyone have any other wisdom on these modules with these speakers and subs, I am all ears. ;-)
@@kenwk2283 I actually returned the Sublime, it threw a veil over the sound. I was really disappointed. Frequency wise with my other crossover, somewhere in that 80-90hz range was good.
Love it! Now I would love to see a complete Magnepan implementation. In my particular case the LRS w the Subsonic allowing me to separately amplify the Tweeter & Mids and outputs to my 2 powered dipole subs.
I've been having analysis paralysis concerning this very topic. Minidsp vs active crossover. I've been trying to split my 7.2.4 home theater to also function as a decent two channel rig. Currently using my reciever as a preamp for two channel listening. I much rather split the system but haven't found the proper way to go about accomplishing it. Maybe this active crossover could be what I'm missing?
The miniDSP 2X4 HD can work as a digital active crossover. It can do a lot more though. The miniDSP comes in a cheap case with cheap connectors. The Sublime Acoustics is a dedicated analog active crossover, but it comes in a high quality case with good connectors and knobs.
@Cake Batter Right, but which approach sounds better and why? This is the dilema. DSP can be adjusted with a remote, on the fly, depending on the song being played. Manual analog devices, such as these, don't have that feature. This is the reason I've been chasing my tail on the topic.
@Bubble Head, if youre using a HT Processor then youve already "ruined" your shot at purist 2 channel. Go with Mini DSP. It does more and youre already manipulating signal digitally... a home theater processor with a REAL killer Passthrough is buck$$
@@OCDHIFiGuy Oh, that's exactly what I'm working on. I'm looking to split the system because when I unplug from the HT processor and use a separate dac and preamp it sounds sooooooo much better. Magical. The processor is a horrible passthrough, I agree. Don't want to miniDSP. I'm trying to find an efficient way to swap from HT Processor (receiver with dsp, pre-outs, amp, speakers/sub) to a separate audio chain (streamer, dac, preamp, amp, speakers, sub). Two chains, one big audio system (two girls, one cup). I want to be able to easily be able to swap between the two chains. In this second audio chain, I will need sub integration like the crossover you mention in this video.
I found integrating a sub with the Magnepan LRS+ in my bedroom/home theater system remarkably easy, in part I presume because the Maggies roll off pretty quickly below 50. The Benchmark DAC1/pre has two sets of pre outs so I just run line level out to my Arendal sub and set the low pass crossover to 45hz with a 24db slope. (The Arendal lets you select the slope and also has parametric eq which I’m not using.) With my Harbeth C7s I couldn’t successfully so integrate without the use of an external crossover.
The problem with that is the Maggies are still getting full range signal & aren't high passed. The sub is supposed to take the pressure off the Maggies down low where they struggle and that configuration doesn't help. In fact. a hole @50 might develop. 🔈🔉🔊
I understand but the thing is the Maggies never seem to be straining- they just don’t provide the rumble re special effects which the sub provides. For instance, they sound superb when playing acoustic bass without the sub.
Hey I posted about MiniDSP and Marchand Electronics and my posts were deleted. Was it the You Tube Algorithm because I did include links to these companies. I have no commercial association with either but have used products from both.
@@OCDHIFiGuy I’m contacting Mark the manufacturer and buying one this week!! Good sales pitch! I can use a couple subs with my “full range” speakers. This piece fits the bill!!
Cool... but I think this will require separate Pre-AMP and AMP on your rig for it to work properly ? If I have an integrated amp that has no line level out at all, I think I am SOL... :( d
@@OCDHIFiGuy well I have a passive sub with an external amp/crossover but I skipped the HP filter and just went from dac output to the input so my dac with 3 outputs has 1 going to the power amp and 1 to the sub amp/xover. I did this assuming a HP filter degrades the quality but I suppose what do I have to lose in trying it
It is also called "bass management" and the multichannel music or hometheater high end preamp processors have been implementing this in a pristine manner forever. Audiophools have been in the dark ages forever with their purist pieces.
@@OCDHIFiGuy - How about in a 2-way set-up with Magnepan .7’s and a pair of REL T/7x subwoofers? By the way, I purchased the Maggies after watching your demo video of them.
I deleted my last message, cuz you’ve gotta scammer. Anyway, looks like a killer piece, especially for the price. 🎶 Nice of you to give the profits to the maker of it. 👍 🔊🎶
@@labalo5 SVS probably has something to fit the bill. Their customer service is un-frickin-believable and as others have pointed out, their app is pretty fantastic. I've got a Sublime K231 and my recipe for integration was to first use the speaker inputs (on the sub), fiddle with crossover points and slopes (in the app), get a ballpark idea with my speakers, and then consult with Mark over email. Once you get the card(s) figured out and the crossover wired up, remove ALL crossover processing settings from the sub (by way of the app) and you're all set. There really IS something to be said about not taxing power amps with those super low frequencies and thusly not sending them to your mains! If you're thinking about a K231, don't hesitate as I'd be willing to bet this vid may spike his orders and associated wait time (but regardless of that, it's worth it).
@@andrewoswald9114 thanks for the insights. I recently sold my RELs and looking for other alternatives. I was looking for passive solutions this time around and saw MP’s recommendation for XO.
I love and appreciate your "buy USA" stance. I try to buy USA if at all possible, and am willing to pay more to do so. This isn't a virtue signal. CCP is not our friend...and beside, we need all the blue collar jobs we can muster...
Hey l have two SVS Ultra 13 subs that have the upgraded plate amps with the phone app So in my two channel rig I use the sub out on my OPPO BD Blu-ray player to my subs and set my mains to small Me bad??
@@CarlVanDoren61 Not sure why? As long as my old faithful OPPO still keeps working and I control all sub parameters with the SVS app from my listening position it seems a no brainer until my OPPO dies I should mention my pre amp is the ARC LS15
Rel sub crossover has High-Level input with Speakon cable. The signal feeds off the back of the amp. Control hz & volume levels. Gain is aggressive, but will get you going. JLA cr-1 crossover way to roll. Wilson audio also makes a crossover
I have the same setup with RELs (I am using two of them) like you however instead of amp connection John Hunter at REL suggests to use the positive terminal connection on back of each speaker instead and that's what I am using and it is glorious. I am using it with the Magnepan LRS Plus. This product Mikey is talking about it not necessary, he is taking this way out of context and will prove troublesome.
Just looked.. Band Aid solution to me. Runs signal through $25 Gold plated brass cylinder and strips part of the signal off potentially changing phase characteristics and ruining imaging. This to me is another "half measure" hack. Would never introduce this into a high end audio system.. Just me...
No way. If it has a few knobs you will find many systems that it just won't work with. Don't waste your time, go buy the miniDSP flex and configure the super accurate and ultimately flexible digital filters, phase and delays to get a system that actually works. Why limit yourself to 1965 technology. Embrace the era. With that analog stuff the high pass and low pass may not track, there's no way to know what frequency or gain setting your are at. With the digital you can dial it in perfectly. You can have 1st order or 2nd or 12th order if you like. Throw in a 2000 tap FIR filter. I hate to see people waste money on this old tech. I can select between three different crossover designs from the remote. With this thing you can switch between crossover frequencies by ordering an expensive module and waiting for delivery. Hello! 1965 called and they want their analog crossover back. Ha
Mikey and Kevin Deal are no different in showing their honest feelings about the brands they sell (but Mike dislikes China very passionately). BTW: Japan in the 70's also was targeted as "Junk" and the people (will not go there). They are both honest about what they sell yet I would like to see Owner Brand interviews for another perspective.
Hi Joe, I love China and Chinese people. I don't support COMMUNISM or political imprisonment for speaking your opinion. Therefore I don't support the CCP regime. My top clients are Chinese Americans. They understand I stand for them and am not too weak to make a vocal stand in public. I'm willing to lose sales money to stand for the Chinese citizens. Chinese people understand me. American whites are the ones that don't seem to get it. Lol. Go figure... as far as the products, the build quality is OK. Not horrible. But they don't innovate anything audio. They copy the innovators. Deal sells Chinese made stuff with an Italian name to disguise the fact that he does not give a shit about Human Rights enough to stop supporting the country that still keeps slaves for practicing thier own spirituality. I'm not a sell out. I make my stand and am willing to take less money for it.
@NackDSP, I'm not a digital manipulation guy. Digitally "PERFECT" sound sounds processed to me. My clients like passive solutions that don't sound contrived like Mini DSP. May be good for you and the DIY crew but not for me or my clients. I don't care how superior you think it is. It sounds processed. Maybe one day but not today.
Mikey have viewing your videos for about a year now and always find entertaining that is until you took some jabs at rel and then called paul McGowan a dork which is uncalled for and contridicts what you have said in the past EVERYONE is entitled to there oplnion i have no connections to either but own 2 rel subs a rel has hi and low level inuts but rel advise using hi level to intergrate with the main speakers and play in time which they do better than mostother subs when set up correctly as validated by all the professionals who have listened and been impressed rels have a different architecture in its active crossovers which i would advise anyone to to study the only negative remarks i have ever heard about rels was from you and one of your viewers who said they hate the hi level and can't get it to intergrate with the main speakers without knowing that persons setup i would say it hasn't been set up properly as i was guilty of for sometime but boy when i followed the instructions properly all i can say is remarkable not just the intergration and timing but what it did to the highs and opening the soundstage up considerably also i used a better mains cable for the rel and better cabling for the hi level imput. Keep up the good work Mikey but be careful what you say as the way people interpret it is unknown Much Respect peace brother
Thanks man, yes, people misinterpret my message a lot. I've never once said Paul is a dork, but even if I did, it's personal opinion. In this day and age too many people get all upset when other people's opinion does not match thier own. Opinions are like assholes, everyone's got one. Opinions mean nothing other than personal perception and everyone's is personal. I don't like REL. So what ? I don't like the company whether thier stuff sounds good or not. So what ? See what I mean ?? It does not matter.. I'm just another jackass with an opinion !! ;-) 😉 Peace ✌️🙏
@@OCDHIFiGuy Hi again Mikey I understand exactly what your saying and that it's just an opinion and as we both believe everyone is entitled to theirs right or wrong it's just that yours is held in a lot higher regard by your regular viewers and anyone who comes across it who like us are audiophiles or audio enthusiasts and may yell from the highest mountain rel is crap which in my personal opinion and experience is not as far as Paul being a dork lol that's entirely subjective he just appears to me to be a nice guy with respect trying to help people I understand he has a commercial axe to grind and is biased towards their products as bis most others that have a vested interest in something but I still respect his and your opinions your channel is a breath of fresh air as you call it how you see it and it's getting crazier and crazier some of the prices for things are an insult to our intelligence cables worth hundreds of thousands of dollars with obscene mark ups good case is that one million dollar phono cartridge that dartzeel recently released which if I remember you brought to my attention I mean come on but even if they just sell one are laughing all the way to the bank . Anyway I just wanted to remind you people put a lot of emphasis and trust in your opinions by the way loved the upgraded Maggie's with active crossover and subs keep up the great work Peace Brother
I am an acoustic and sound engineer. this is not the professional way to adjust a subwoofer. to adjust a subwoofer you have to measure using a transfer function and analyze the phase. Excuse me for saying so, but you don't have any knowledge of audio.
Lol, who said this was Pro Audio ? Next, how do you know I don't own measurement microphones from Earthworks and measurement software ??? Lol. Excuse me for saying but you don't know anything about me. You habla mierda.
@@OCDHIFiGuy It is you who put a title "ADD A SUBWOOFER THE PROFESSIONAL WAY" The problem is not whether you have measurement microphones and software. Having Autocad does not make you an architect. The problem is that you sell an active filter with fixed cutoff and slope settings, and without measuring phase, you can't determine the cutoff and slope. Entering a filter causes delay and phase shift, and if you don't have a variable delay available, it's impossible to time and phase one transducer relative to another. It's true, I don't know anything about you. Well yes, obviously you are not an engineer. Don't get me wrong, I like your channel, it's fun and I admire your passion but please don't use the word "professional". So, this is not "add a subwoofer in a professional way". This would be "filter a subwoofer in a homemade way".
I’m intrigued. Assuming one is using a pair of Magnepan LRS speakers, a pair of Rel T/5 subwoofers, and a K231 w/ a 100Hz 24db slope, how would you approach measuring (please outline tools/software) to either adjust the sub phase or position of the subs relative to the listening position? The Rel sub has a fixed 0 or 180 phase toggle, so I’m assuming this is most likely only solvable by position of the sub?
@@josephsolin If the RelT5s already have a low pass filter, having the K231 is redundant. In fact, if you filter at 100hz from the K231 and send that filtered signal to the RelT5 and it filters again, the effect will be detrimental. To perform a phase measurement, you need software that performs a transfer function, such as Smaart, Easera Systune, etc... Apart from a measurement micro, you need a sound card to perform a Loopback. Even with all this instrumentation, if you don't know the difference between filters, the delays they entail, or reading a phase trace, it won't do you any good. It takes knowledge and a lot of practice. In your case, the best thing to do is to place the subs right next to the LRS so there is no major time difference. Use the K231 to filter only the LRS and send the unfiltered signal to the RELt5 and use the T5 filter to low pass at 100Hz. Regarding the fixed position 0º to 180º of the T5; choose the position that hears more bass
This is how pro audio has been done forever. Audiophiles everywhere should pick up on this. Thanks for getting it out there!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thats going to be a hard sell because most pro gear is garbage. Add to that, most recordings are not very good. So, from an audiophiles standpoint, we don't have a lot of faith in pro audio. No one is going to take advice from people that sets the bar so low. When was the last time you heard pro audio system that equals or rivals the sound quality of even a modest high end system? Almost never. (I know that some high end recording studios do have high quality gear. But, they're the exception, not the norm.)
"This is how pro audio has been done forever. Audiophiles everywhere should pick up on this."
You have it backwards. Pro audio people tend to have virtually no understanding of how good components work. There's more to looking at what type of connectors are on the back, or what type of dac chip is used. There are different ways to build things. 2 xovers may look similar on the outside, but not inside. To start with, there are different ways a component can be balanced. The correct way is to make the component fully differential in design. 99% of all pro audio gear is not fully differential. They just slap some xlr connectors on the back and do point to point balancing. Why? Because its much cheaper and a lot easier to implement, but is in no way a fully balanced design. Most balanced audiophile gear is.
If you're interested, so some research, and if there's anything you don't understand, post, and I'll do my best to explain it.
@@OCDHIFiGuyDBX (the compressor - limiter company) has sold rack mounted electronic crossovers for decades.
@@AT-wl9yqthere are companies like Beyma and 18sound that make some excellent drivers. They are normally used in Pro Audio but can be used by DIYers in home audio too. I haven’t used 18Sound but have used Beyma.
Thanks OCD Mikey!
I am currently building a set of home stereo cabinets and came across this product, I can’t wait to add it into my system.
Currently I am using a car audio active crossover.
Just to note if anyone hasn’t said it already: using this style crossover, you will have to have 3 separate 2 channel amplifiers to run two 3 way speakers.
-1 for your tweeters (less than 100 watts)
-1 for your mids (about 100 watts)
-1 for your woofers (depending on the woofer about 300 watts).
I’m doing the same thing here and using this!
Im in amp decision mode.
Any advice? Lows are getting Hypex NCore. I still need mids and high with a $2000 budget.
Love your no BS approach to business and highly appreciate your realism.
Always!
Love your passion and willingness to help push American-made products. We need more people in the industry like you!
Thanks Man !
Amazing product Mike! Thanks for sharing your expertise!
Glad it was helpful!
You have all my respect Mike! One of the things I liked more about you when I was first visiting your channel, was your ethics and integrity. Glad to see you're still that man.👏👏👏👏👍👍👍👍!
I know this video is old. And Mike I never, ever put comments....ever....I'm a lurker....but man...can I tell you? Well Done, Brother! I love the ENTIRE sentiment here. You're the best.
as always ya speak the truth to the tribe your a stand up dude . ya i found this product a few years ago and used it for my maggies and the servo subs i built . i couldn't be happier with it . i couldn't afford to get a bigger unit made so i tried this one and its awesome thanks for letting people know about it it is the right way to do it even more so to use multiple amps . keep up the amazing stuff bro cheers mike .
Thanks Mark, Cheers Brother !
Loving it from Ireland. Thanks
Cool product to review and I fully agree with the design principle behind it.
Right on
This is a fantastic piece of gear! Thanks for informing us.
You bet!
Great product. Good video, love your philosophy on hi fi and commerce Mikey. Now I can finally integrate a sub.
No mention of using this to split signal for biamping speakers? My pre/pro has a configurable sub output, but I needed to separate highs/lows to 2 separate amps. I matched frequency and slope requirements for my ADS L1290s when I ordered (50Hz and 500Hz & 12dB/octive). Works perfectly!
I’ve been using a K231 in my main system with Dunlavy SC-IV/a’s, and despite the conventional wisdom that these must be run full range and the subs aren’t needed, it turns out they sound the best when paired with sealed subs and dialed in with the K231. I tried many other configs and got muddy results, but this pairing results in precise bass. And as my sources get better, the K231 always brings this through. Seriously the lynchpin that holds my top and bottom end together and the most valuable product in my system when it comes to quality for price. I really wish there was a large chassis version with 3-pin XLR, but I run Mogami balanced now and it sounds wonderful and supports TRS. Note that you need to measure (REW) and refine to get good results with a crossover.
LOL, you reading my mind? I asked Mark to make a full size version with 3 pin XLR and it will be here within 60 days...
I have an SPL Crossover and love it. Will consider this for one of my other setups.
this alot cheaper though
@@donnywidodo8874 Sublime Acoustics did not exist when I bought mine. I own a K235 now.
@@donnywidodo8874I bought the bigger K235 and it sounded great and worked great. It has developed a white noise issue though and waiting for them to get back to me.
This is so true and I haven’t seen many non-pro actives that do this simply. Rel drives me nuts with their hi level subwoofer integration that never blends correctly.
Thanks Mike, just ordered one."
Great !
Paul McGowan of PS Audio has said for years that the sub should be connected to the output of the main amp (high level) to get the wonderful flavor of the main amp into the sub. Thanks for showing us your way of connecting the sub.
OMG what a DORK !! lol... sorry, just how I feel...
@Random that actually incorrect whoever said that.
The correct way to add a subwoofer is to use an electronic crossover and 2 separate amplifiers preferably one that has DSP so you can time align it (most DSPs come will supplied microphones).
Hell yeah, good on you man. It would be nice to see others do the same. One of the reasons things in the U.S are going from bad to worse is because we produce little to nothing here. Politicians pushing taxation so high on business that some of them are force to do production somewhere else.
That is changing. Time to leave California.
👍 Dig it. I love my Sublime Acoustic X-over! Thank you for recommending last year, Mike. It sounds so much better than using the high-level REL inputs.
You bet!
This is fantastic, thanks Mikey!
Glad you liked it!
I have 2.1 system, Onken loudspeakers 6,5" Purifi/MIDS, 16" Supravox/ Woofer and Raal 140-15D/ tweeters.
3 amps and 1 subwoofer JL Audio E110.
Preamp Allnic L1500 and crossover Sublime 231, cross 250/2500 hzs, modules 24 dbs
I am not sure about fixing the BSC knob, its not clear in the manual
Very good product , and you did a good review
Best regards
CArlos
I'm very pro active XO... Removing bass from the poweramp that drives the highs has an audioble effect no one talks about. Gonna tips others about this XO :)
Which REL model you looking at? I just checked the latest REL model (HT/1003) and it has LEF and crossover dial etc. I think the older subs had the speaker cable inputs instead of LFE and built in crossover. I think this is still useful because most integrated amps still force full frequency range to main speakers.
Straight up bro ! love it !
Thanks JAX !
Please Mike what do you think of the MG-12 Maggie's ?? I made the modification to the fuses and put Caradas plugs on it close to the job you done with your Maggie's... THANK for the advice cause it change in better way the details etc of the sound.....but do you like MG-12 ???
I really appreciate the recommendation, I been using a Rolls Brand(Guitar Center brands) and I been searching for something like this, i got a bunch a boards from the AliExpress but bare boards and they are good to a certain extent and the seperate toroidal power supply they need for proper operation, not conventional, but this. Im excited, will be ordering tomorow :-). Hope they know what kinda impact you will have on them, this vid earned you a new subscriber btw, honesty and compassion are a rare thing these days, im glad i stumbled on your video. Thanks again.
This is a yesterday's news product. My integrated has L/R sub outs and independent digital crossover frequencies and levels for both mains and subs
Integrated amps are for different buyers. They can not do what seperates can.
Thanks Mikey! I just ordered one of these and four modules to experiment. 75, 80, 85 and 90hz @ 24db. Also picked up some TSR to XLR cables to run off of my DAC/Preamp to the unit and out to my amp. Kind of pricey vs the Rolls SX45 I am using, but this should be incredibly accurate in regards to the frequency selection vs the Rolls. The speakers are the Maggie LRS+ and a pair of the REL T-Zero subs. Those subs are 35hz to 90hz, hence the selection of the frequency modules. Anyone have any other wisdom on these modules with these speakers and subs, I am all ears. ;-)
Try 12db.. it's not intuitive but it works well in some rooms/sysyems
So which frequency works best ? Curious to know, thanks in advance
@@kenwk2283 I actually returned the Sublime, it threw a veil over the sound. I was really disappointed. Frequency wise with my other crossover, somewhere in that 80-90hz range was good.
Love it! Now I would love to see a complete Magnepan implementation. In my particular case the LRS w the Subsonic allowing me to separately amplify the Tweeter & Mids and outputs to my 2 powered dipole subs.
Plan would be to rid the Maggie’s of all the deleterious crap in the signal path, OEM XO network and crap connections.
Its coming soon !
@@markconner5569 Mike set me up with this for a set of 1.6qr maggies and dual subs, it was a great addition to the system
Love all this. Work with Vandersteen sub 3? They also offer a crossover. Thanks
Will work with any sub..
I've been having analysis paralysis concerning this very topic. Minidsp vs active crossover. I've been trying to split my 7.2.4 home theater to also function as a decent two channel rig. Currently using my reciever as a preamp for two channel listening. I much rather split the system but haven't found the proper way to go about accomplishing it. Maybe this active crossover could be what I'm missing?
The miniDSP 2X4 HD can work as a digital active crossover. It can do a lot more though. The miniDSP comes in a cheap case with cheap connectors. The Sublime Acoustics is a dedicated analog active crossover, but it comes in a high quality case with good connectors and knobs.
@Cake Batter Right, but which approach sounds better and why? This is the dilema. DSP can be adjusted with a remote, on the fly, depending on the song being played. Manual analog devices, such as these, don't have that feature. This is the reason I've been chasing my tail on the topic.
@Bubble Head, if youre using a HT Processor then youve already "ruined" your shot at purist 2 channel. Go with Mini DSP. It does more and youre already manipulating signal digitally... a home theater processor with a REAL killer Passthrough is buck$$
@@OCDHIFiGuy Oh, that's exactly what I'm working on. I'm looking to split the system because when I unplug from the HT processor and use a separate dac and preamp it sounds sooooooo much better. Magical. The processor is a horrible passthrough, I agree. Don't want to miniDSP. I'm trying to find an efficient way to swap from HT Processor (receiver with dsp, pre-outs, amp, speakers/sub) to a separate audio chain (streamer, dac, preamp, amp, speakers, sub). Two chains, one big audio system (two girls, one cup). I want to be able to easily be able to swap between the two chains. In this second audio chain, I will need sub integration like the crossover you mention in this video.
Would it make rel better...trs to speakon ?
I found integrating a sub with the Magnepan LRS+ in my bedroom/home theater system remarkably easy, in part I presume because the Maggies roll off pretty quickly below 50.
The Benchmark DAC1/pre has two sets of pre outs so I just run line level out to my Arendal sub and set the low pass crossover to 45hz with a 24db slope. (The Arendal lets you select the slope and also has parametric eq which I’m not using.)
With my Harbeth C7s I couldn’t successfully so integrate without the use of an external crossover.
The problem with that is the Maggies are still getting full range signal & aren't high passed. The sub is supposed to take the pressure off the Maggies down low where they struggle and that configuration doesn't help. In fact. a hole @50 might develop. 🔈🔉🔊
I understand but the thing is the Maggies never seem to be straining- they just don’t provide the rumble re special effects which the sub provides.
For instance, they sound superb when playing acoustic bass without the sub.
@TriAmp HiFi... Word up...
@Stuart Boros, Ive got a solution on deck.
The NAD C658 is a great way to incorporate subs to your system.
I'll take your word for it !
How would you hook this unit up to a dual sub config? One balanced and another RCA?
No, left low output to left sub, right low output to right sub. You could choose either RCA or XLR
@@OCDHIFiGuy is that still considered stereo if you only use on the connections for either sub? Sorry I’m a newbie to this stuff.
Just as an add on to this, Rolls 100 buck model, made in USA also. Easily set cut offs on mains and subs cheap.
Gr8 !
Hey I posted about MiniDSP and Marchand Electronics and my posts were deleted. Was it the You Tube Algorithm because I did include links to these companies. I have no commercial association with either but have used products from both.
Yes, links get snagged by TH-cam. Its considered using someone elses subscribership to advertise .
@@OCDHIFiGuy have you checked out Marchand or MiniDSP?
👍
will this work with Magnepan ????
With ANY speaker
Great vid, Mikey! Is this the same one in your 11Stereo Shop?
Yes, but I dont sell it..
@@OCDHIFiGuy I’m contacting Mark the manufacturer and buying one this week!! Good sales pitch! I can use a couple subs with my “full range” speakers. This piece fits the bill!!
Cool... but I think this will require separate Pre-AMP and AMP on your rig for it to work properly ? If I have an integrated amp that has no line level out at all, I think I am SOL... :( d
Yes. Will not work with integrated
Do you know what IC chips being used ..?
No.
Does mark make 4 way crossovers
No.
Am interested in a preamp from that company. Are they going to make one?
Not that I know of...
Wouldn't this degrade the chain putting this in between a high end pre and amp?
What you degrade in signal path you far exceed in the gains from adding it.
@@OCDHIFiGuy well I have a passive sub with an external amp/crossover but I skipped the HP filter and just went from dac output to the input so my dac with 3 outputs has 1 going to the power amp and 1 to the sub amp/xover. I did this assuming a HP filter degrades the quality but I suppose what do I have to lose in trying it
@@HailKingCeezer exactly
Try it...
It is also called "bass management" and the multichannel music or hometheater high end preamp processors have been implementing this in a pristine manner forever. Audiophools have been in the dark ages forever with their purist pieces.
We love our purist pieces. I think DSP sucks ass...
Which of the XO Modules for the unit are your favorites, Mike?
Depends how it's being used.
@@OCDHIFiGuy - How about in a 2-way set-up with Magnepan .7’s and a pair of REL T/7x subwoofers? By the way, I purchased the Maggies after watching your demo video of them.
@@irawong I'd say 60Hz or 70Hz with a 24Db slope.
I deleted my last message, cuz you’ve gotta scammer. Anyway, looks like a killer piece, especially for the price. 🎶 Nice of you to give the profits to the maker of it. 👍 🔊🎶
Rock on Nick !
Is there a matching small sub amp to run this with?
Sure, whats the budget ?
Under 1K?
@@labalo5 SVS probably has something to fit the bill. Their customer service is un-frickin-believable and as others have pointed out, their app is pretty fantastic. I've got a Sublime K231 and my recipe for integration was to first use the speaker inputs (on the sub), fiddle with crossover points and slopes (in the app), get a ballpark idea with my speakers, and then consult with Mark over email. Once you get the card(s) figured out and the crossover wired up, remove ALL crossover processing settings from the sub (by way of the app) and you're all set. There really IS something to be said about not taxing power amps with those super low frequencies and thusly not sending them to your mains! If you're thinking about a K231, don't hesitate as I'd be willing to bet this vid may spike his orders and associated wait time (but regardless of that, it's worth it).
@@andrewoswald9114 thanks for the insights. I recently sold my RELs and looking for other alternatives. I was looking for passive solutions this time around and saw MP’s recommendation for XO.
I love and appreciate your "buy USA" stance. I try to buy USA if at all possible, and am willing to pay more to do so. This isn't a virtue signal. CCP is not our friend...and beside, we need all the blue collar jobs we can muster...
Buy anything but communist is more my hard stance... USA made is bonus !
Hey l have two SVS Ultra 13 subs that have the upgraded plate amps with the phone app So in my two channel rig I use the sub out on my OPPO BD Blu-ray player to my subs and set my mains to small Me bad??
Yes, Rels better option. Son has pair of SvS SB-3000s. Run Rel carbon specials with JLA cr-1 crossover.
@@CarlVanDoren61
Not sure why? As long as my old faithful OPPO still keeps working and I control all sub parameters with the SVS app from my listening position
it seems a no brainer until my OPPO dies I should mention my pre amp is the ARC LS15
Nope, its got built in crossover...
@@OCDHIFiGuy
The sub has a crossover?? Yes but l turn that off when I'm using the OPPO crossover
@@Jack96993 I meant the OPPO Crossover. It's got a high pass for your mains. And you set them to small...
Very honest brother..
Always
“OCD Mikey sent me!” Result? Sublime Acoustics is now backordered on their 3-way crossover for a few weeks. Tribe power..💪🏻💪🏻
Oops !!
Rel sub crossover has High-Level input with Speakon cable. The signal feeds off the back of the amp. Control hz & volume levels. Gain is aggressive, but will get you going. JLA cr-1 crossover way to roll. Wilson audio also makes a crossover
Rel = Bad plan IMHO. JL OK, but 6 times the cost 8 years ago.. Wilson ? what is it $20K ?? LOL
I have the same setup with RELs (I am using two of them) like you however instead of amp connection John Hunter at REL suggests to use the positive terminal connection on back of each speaker instead and that's what I am using and it is glorious. I am using it with the Magnepan LRS Plus. This product Mikey is talking about it not necessary, he is taking this way out of context and will prove troublesome.
What’s you opinion of using Harrison Labs FMOD’s? 100 Hz and above go to my maggies. Rythmik subs take over from there. Pretty cheap solution
Just looked.. Band Aid solution to me. Runs signal through $25 Gold plated brass cylinder and strips part of the signal off potentially changing phase characteristics and ruining imaging. This to me is another "half measure" hack. Would never introduce this into a high end audio system.. Just me...
JLA cr-1 crossover.... made in Florida
Sure, for $3K 8 years ago...
Excellence and value, wow...
Like a mixer
If you will... sure..
Very mid fi, have fun .
I've got a $20K Viola Labs xover if you prefer...
No way. If it has a few knobs you will find many systems that it just won't work with. Don't waste your time, go buy the miniDSP flex and configure the super accurate and ultimately flexible digital filters, phase and delays to get a system that actually works. Why limit yourself to 1965 technology. Embrace the era. With that analog stuff the high pass and low pass may not track, there's no way to know what frequency or gain setting your are at. With the digital you can dial it in perfectly. You can have 1st order or 2nd or 12th order if you like. Throw in a 2000 tap FIR filter. I hate to see people waste money on this old tech. I can select between three different crossover designs from the remote. With this thing you can switch between crossover frequencies by ordering an expensive module and waiting for delivery. Hello! 1965 called and they want their analog crossover back. Ha
Mikey and Kevin Deal are no different in showing their honest feelings about the brands they sell (but Mike dislikes China very passionately). BTW: Japan in the 70's also was targeted as "Junk" and the people (will not go there). They are both honest about what they sell yet I would like to see Owner Brand interviews for another perspective.
Hi Joe, I love China and Chinese people. I don't support COMMUNISM or political imprisonment for speaking your opinion. Therefore I don't support the CCP regime. My top clients are Chinese Americans. They understand I stand for them and am not too weak to make a vocal stand in public. I'm willing to lose sales money to stand for the Chinese citizens. Chinese people understand me. American whites are the ones that don't seem to get it. Lol. Go figure... as far as the products, the build quality is OK. Not horrible. But they don't innovate anything audio. They copy the innovators. Deal sells Chinese made stuff with an Italian name to disguise the fact that he does not give a shit about Human Rights enough to stop supporting the country that still keeps slaves for practicing thier own spirituality. I'm not a sell out. I make my stand and am willing to take less money for it.
@NackDSP, I'm not a digital manipulation guy. Digitally "PERFECT" sound sounds processed to me. My clients like passive solutions that don't sound contrived like Mini DSP. May be good for you and the DIY crew but not for me or my clients. I don't care how superior you think it is. It sounds processed. Maybe one day but not today.
This active X Over sounds a lot better than the miniDSP.
Yes, have both.
J L Audios CR-1 crossover is also a nice piece.Been using one for a few years with my speakers and subs
Mikey have viewing your videos for about a year now and always find entertaining that is until you took some jabs at rel and then called paul McGowan a dork which is uncalled for and contridicts what you have said in the past EVERYONE is entitled to there oplnion i have no connections to either but own 2 rel subs a rel has hi and low level inuts but rel advise using hi level to intergrate with the main speakers and play in time which they do better than mostother subs when set up correctly as validated by all the professionals who have listened and been impressed rels have a different architecture in its active crossovers which i would advise anyone to to study the only negative remarks i have ever heard about rels was from you and one of your viewers who said they hate the hi level and can't get it to intergrate with the main speakers without knowing that persons setup i would say it hasn't been set up properly as i was guilty of for sometime but boy when i followed the instructions properly all i can say is remarkable not just the intergration and timing but what it did to the highs and opening the soundstage up considerably also i used a better mains cable for the rel and better cabling for the hi level imput. Keep up the good work Mikey but be careful what you say as the way people interpret it is unknown
Much Respect peace brother
Thanks man, yes, people misinterpret my message a lot. I've never once said Paul is a dork, but even if I did, it's personal opinion. In this day and age too many people get all upset when other people's opinion does not match thier own. Opinions are like assholes, everyone's got one. Opinions mean nothing other than personal perception and everyone's is personal. I don't like REL. So what ? I don't like the company whether thier stuff sounds good or not. So what ? See what I mean ?? It does not matter.. I'm just another jackass with an opinion !! ;-) 😉 Peace ✌️🙏
@@OCDHIFiGuy Hi again Mikey I understand exactly what your saying and that it's just an opinion and as we both believe everyone is entitled to theirs right or wrong it's just that yours is held in a lot higher regard by your regular viewers and anyone who comes across it who like us are audiophiles or audio enthusiasts and may yell from the highest mountain rel is crap which in my personal opinion and experience is not as far as Paul being a dork lol that's entirely subjective he just appears to me to be a nice guy with respect trying to help people I understand he has a commercial axe to grind and is biased towards their products as bis most others that have a vested interest in something but I still respect his and your opinions your channel is a breath of fresh air as you call it how you see it and it's getting crazier and crazier some of the prices for things are an insult to our intelligence cables worth hundreds of thousands of dollars with obscene mark ups good case is that one million dollar phono cartridge that dartzeel recently released which if I remember you brought to my attention I mean come on but even if they just sell one are laughing all the way to the bank . Anyway I just wanted to remind you people put a lot of emphasis and trust in your opinions by the way loved the upgraded Maggie's with active crossover and subs keep up the great work
Peace Brother
I am an acoustic and sound engineer. this is not the professional way to adjust a subwoofer. to adjust a subwoofer you have to measure using a transfer function and analyze the phase. Excuse me for saying so, but you don't have any knowledge of audio.
Lol, who said this was Pro Audio ? Next, how do you know I don't own measurement microphones from Earthworks and measurement software ??? Lol. Excuse me for saying but you don't know anything about me. You habla mierda.
@@OCDHIFiGuy It is you who put a title "ADD A SUBWOOFER THE PROFESSIONAL WAY"
The problem is not whether you have measurement microphones and software. Having Autocad does not make you an architect.
The problem is that you sell an active filter with fixed cutoff and slope settings, and without measuring phase, you can't determine the cutoff and slope. Entering a filter causes delay and phase shift, and if you don't have a variable delay available, it's impossible to time and phase one transducer relative to another.
It's true, I don't know anything about you. Well yes, obviously you are not an engineer.
Don't get me wrong, I like your channel, it's fun and I admire your passion but please don't use the word "professional".
So, this is not "add a subwoofer in a professional way". This would be "filter a subwoofer in a homemade way".
I’m intrigued. Assuming one is using a pair of Magnepan LRS speakers, a pair of Rel T/5 subwoofers, and a K231 w/ a 100Hz 24db slope, how would you approach measuring (please outline tools/software) to either adjust the sub phase or position of the subs relative to the listening position? The Rel sub has a fixed 0 or 180 phase toggle, so I’m assuming this is most likely only solvable by position of the sub?
@@josephsolin If the RelT5s already have a low pass filter, having the K231 is redundant. In fact, if you filter at 100hz from the K231 and send that filtered signal to the RelT5 and it filters again, the effect will be detrimental.
To perform a phase measurement, you need software that performs a transfer function, such as Smaart, Easera Systune, etc... Apart from a measurement micro, you need a sound card to perform a Loopback. Even with all this instrumentation, if you don't know the difference between filters, the delays they entail, or reading a phase trace, it won't do you any good. It takes knowledge and a lot of practice.
In your case, the best thing to do is to place the subs right next to the LRS so there is no major time difference. Use the K231 to filter only the LRS and send the unfiltered signal to the RELt5 and use the T5 filter to low pass at 100Hz.
Regarding the fixed position 0º to 180º of the T5; choose the position that hears more bass