Best way to configure 3 sub outputs to 4 subs?

My room has 4 subs symetrically placed at 1/4 room width, 2 on front wall and 2 on back. My Crestron Procise processor has 3 Sub outputs which I understand to calibrate independently with Audyssey. Do you expect I would be better off using just 2 sub outputs, 1 for both fronts and 1 for both rears, or would I benefit from dividing the rears to use all 3 sub outputs?

As an aside, do you find it better to use even # of subs when possible?

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14 Comments

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    Audyssey Labs

    Hi Steve,

    I think you would be better off splitting the two front subs from one output and the two back subs from the other.  Make sure you set the subs to the same level before running the calibration.  

    There is no known advantage of using an even or odd number of subs.  In general, "more is better" as it drives the room modes from different points and gives a smoother starting bass response that is easier to calibrate.

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    Frank Romeo

    I have the option to run them as one Chris, which I have, but Ive recently been told the best way to run the 4 is the front two as one and the back two as another. Is it the better way? and if it is why?

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    Audyssey Labs

    It depends on the AVR you have. If it allows individual control of 2 subs then you should run the 4 as 2 pairs.  If it does not then your only choice is to y-cord to all 4.

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    Frank Romeo

    but 2 pairs is better than running the 4 as one?

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    Audyssey Labs

    4 as one is better if you can set the levels and distances to be the same before running the calibration.  No AVR allow this today...

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    Frank Romeo

    the denon avp is the only one i know thats able to do it.

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    Audyssey Labs

    It allows 3, but not 4 as far as I know.

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    Frank Romeo

    what you do if you dont use surround b channels you can use them as subs also for instance you can assign sub 1 to surround b left or surround b right.

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    Audyssey Labs

    I don't believe the AVP1 allows for more than 3 subs no matter what you do with the surrounds.

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    Frank Romeo

    sorry chris i see what your saying. i was confusing myself with the inputs.

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    Steve Colburn

    Hi Chris,

    When you refer to "Set the levels", are you talking about at the Money seat or at a fixed close mic'd distance from each sub?

    Our sub amps have individual delay adjustments (to .5mS) as well as Gain adjustments. In that case, are we better off using a single sub output and matching Delays and Gains in our amps or using independent Sub outs with paired subs?

    Thanks as always,

    Steve Colburn

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    Audyssey Labs

    Hi Steve,

    Level setting should always be done at the main listening position.

    If the AVR allows independent control of delays and levels of the two subs then it's best to let Audyssey do it in the AVR.  If (as in most cases) it does not, then you have to manually set the levels to be the same for each sub and then run Audyssey through a y-cord connected to both subs.  

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    Steve Colburn

    Hi Chris,

    Actually there are 4 subs. My question is which is better (if either):

    1. running them in pairs from independent sub outs.

    2. Running all 4 from a single sub out but independently adjusting Gain AND Delay in the subwoofer's amps.

    Thanks,

    Steve

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    Audyssey Labs

    Hi Steve,

    If the subs are about the same distance from the listener then either of these methods should give nearly the same results.

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