Connecting Sub-Out properly

Answered
Anton K
  • Edited

Hi everyone! First time posting here as I just recently got my new NODE and I've been very happy with it, overall. I have a Powered Subwoofer from my Speaker system and I'm having a hard time figuring out how to connect it to the Node.

Main question: My Subwoofer (connected to my speaker's built-in amp) has a Crossover Dial that I can adjust manually (set at 70hz now, recommended by Kanto for YU4), but if I connect it directly to NODE's sub-out where the crossover is controlled by the APP digitally, will I have 2 frequency cut-outs happening at the same time? (the app's and my subwoofer's); if not, what values should I put on my Sub8 slider? (it can't be turned off). Kanto_SUB8VMW_Back_canada-1_1200x1200.png

Longer text for context:

My previous setup was: Kanto YU4 Active Speakers (with built-in Class D Pre-Amp and DAC with RCA, coax, Toslink inputs) + Kanto Powered Sub8 (woofer). Music was connected through: Wiim Mini > Optical & Turntable > iFi Phono > RCA in. The speakers work and sound flawlessly with the Sub8 as they have a Sub-Out option that enables the low (or high?) crossover, which improved the sound so much when I added it. 
Kanto back ports: Screenshot-2019-06-25-at-17.52.19.jpg

Now, I have the NODE connected directly to the Kanto Speaker through RCA, so I can take advantage of the built-in Dac which is supposed to be superior and also I can centralize my music and inputs on the Node, and possibly relieve any electric pressure on the YU4s.

However, when I started listening through the NODE and its internal DAC, despite the good music definition, I felt the same sound as initially with my Kanto speakers without the Sub: some frequencies (mainly low-mid) seems somewhat cramped, tight soundstage... anyway, screaming for release lol. That's why I went on buying their Subwoofer and when I connected it through the Sub-Out port, it was such a relief! It sounded much natural, wider soundstage, clearer vocals, etc... I was able to "recreate" that sound by using Roon's EQ (lower the bass, increase the highs), but I feel that's a cheat instead of solving the root issue.

So that's why I thought that maybe if I connected the subwoofer directly to the NODE, maybe it would improve the sound (recognizing that there's a sub, so it'd send bass signal directly to the sub, and relieving the rest of the stereo signal frequencies to the amp); even though my logic says that the NODE should send just a regular stereo track through RCA and my speaker's amp should do the crossover process itself as usual, but again, there's just something off with the tight/compressed sound coming from the Node RCA output. 

Hope I was able to explain myself, and thanks in advance for your help!

 

 

 

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  • Official comment
    Tony W.
    Product Support Manager

    Hi Anton

    The crossover is 80 Hz and not adjustable in the NODE. In the BluOS App, select the NODE, then in the Settings, Menu, Select Audio settings and enable a subwoofer to activate the signals below 80 Hz not to be sent to the mains.

  • Anton K

    Hello! Thanks for the reply! Yes, I understand that part of the Node. My main question was what should I do with the dial on my subwoofer (that ranges from 40-120Hz)? but after some testing, I set my subwoofer's crossover dial to the same value (80) as on my Node with Sub ON, because putting it higher it created more rumble than tighter punches.

    Thanks!

     

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