Subwoofer – Node 2i & PowerNode 2i - The Big Picture

Answered
Craig

I have a Node 2i. I am considering adding a Powernode 2i to my system. After reading about subwoofer usage there seems to be significant confusion and misleading information in various places on using a subwoofer. Below is what I gathered from all of the subwoofer posts and reviews and my experence. Tony W. can validate and clarify so we have a full understanding and expectation on how subwoofers are handled with the Node 2i and PowerNode 2i. This is what I have been able to determine so far:

 

Subwoofer RCA out assumptions:

  • On at all times – not affected by subwoofer switch in audio controls in BluOS app
  • Frequency output is 20-20 kHz full audio spectrum
  • Output is mono summed left and right channels
  • Output level tracks with the volume control in the BluOS app or on the Node
  • Switching on or off the subwoofer in the BluOS has no effect on subwoofer output
  • Switching on subwoofer enables crossover function that is actually a low cut filter for the left and right channel outputs. Selected to on it will cut off everything to the left and right channels starting at and below 40Hz at a minimum and up to and including 200Hz depending on the slider setting. If you want 20-20kHz output from the left and right outputs be sure the subwoofer switch is selected to off.

 

Subwoofer use with Node 2i:

  • When using the RCA output for subwoofer you need to use and ensure the BluOS volume or volume on the Node 2i device is up high enough to generate sufficient output at the RCA connector to activate and drive the subwoofer. You will likely have to make an adjustment on your amplifier volume control after you do this.
  • When setting the BluOS volume to maximum or switching the output level to fixed in the BlueOS app you are better off connecting the subwoofer to the amplifier subwoofer output or speaker outputs if your subwoofer supports that form of connection. This will allow adjustment of the proportion of your subwoofer level to main speaker level and maintain that proportion when using the volume control on your amplifier. Be sure that the subwoofer switch is selected to off in the BlueOS app so you do not activate the crossover (low cut filter) and limit the lower frequency range to your amplifier.
  • When you use fixed volume in the BluOS app and connect the subwoofer to the RCA output it will be necessary to adjust the volume or gain on the subwoofer each time you change the volume on your amplifier.

 

Subwoofer use with the PowerNode 2i

  • Volume control for the PowerNode 2i system is controlled by the BluOS volume control or directly on the Powernode 2i.
  • When using the RCA subwoofer output you need to use the volume or gain control on your subwoofer to establish the subwoofer volume relationship with your PowerNode 2i volume control. If you have high efficiency speakers and have the PowerNode 2i volume at a lower setting for listening, you might not have enough output at the RCA subwoofer connector to activate your subwoofer. You may be better off hooking up your subwoofer to the speaker terminals on the PowerNode 2i if your subwoofer supports speaker level connection.

 

Does this correctly summarize the subwoofer operation with the Node 2i and PowerNode 2i?

 

If it does it would seem that the ‘crossover’ function has limited usefulness and a more useful control would be to have a slider to set the output level of the subwoofer RCA output. It might be helpful to rename the current Subwoofer switch in the BluOS app to Low Cut Filter.

 

 

 

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Comments

4 comments

Date Votes
  • Official comment
    Sam R.

    Depending on the resource you're reading, it could be based on an older firmware version (so not necessarily conflicting, just outdated). As it works now (3.12.xx):

    Subwoofer (On/Off) - turning this setting ON will apply a high pass filter to the RCA and Speaker Out (where applicable) based on the crossover set. Leaving this in the OFF position will send full range out of the RCA and Speaker Outs. Note that the SUBW OUT output will not be affected by this (this output will always be active) nor will it set a filter on the Digital Outputs (applicable to NODE and VAULT only)

    Crossover: this will allow you to adjust the crossover between 40Hz and 200Hz; anything below your set crossover will be sent out of the SUBW OUT of your player. If the Subwoofer switch is set to ON (as mentioned above), everything above this crossover will be filtered out and sent to the RCA and Speaker Outputs. 

    Otherwise than that the SUBW OUT on your POWERNODE/NODE will output much like the RCA outs on the NODE (briefly speaking ofc). 

    Regards,
    Sam R.

  • George Allen

    Wait, what? "Subwoofer (On/Off) - turning this setting ON will apply a high pass filter to the RCA and Speaker Out (where applicable) based on the crossover set. "

    Please clarify the output of the RCA when the subwoofer setting is ON. Thanks.

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  • Ken

    "RCA" refers to the analog left and right outputs on the Node 2i, not the RCA subwoofer output. 

    When the subwoofer setting is "On", low frequency signals are cut off from the analog outputs, according to the crossover setting.

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  • George Allen

    That makes sense, thank you Ken

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