Powernode 2i -- confusion about Subwoofer low-pass setting when using "on/off" switch
Answered
Much confusion out there on this issue.....
My understanding (based on all my readings) is that the frequencies delivered to subwoofer are unaffected by the position of the BluOS SW on/off switch. In other words, the x-over (set by user) determines frequencies passed to the sub at all times. While the main speakers are effected by the SW on/off switch: they are high-passed (as determined by x-over setting) when SW toggle is "on", and they receive full range signal when toggle is "off".
Yet my experience with my sub when playing actual music in my system contradicts this. The low-pass to the sub is clearly changing with the BluOS on/off position. In other words, what the sub is receiving is not constant, and is a function of the on/off position.
How do I know this?
(1) connect subwoofer to SUB OUT. using BluOS app, set x-over to 200Hz
(2) play bass-heavy music, place fingers on subwoofer driver to feel output (my sub is front firing)
(3) using BluOS app, toggle sub on/off
(4) when in the ON position the driver outputs much more than in the OFF position. This is not subtle
This clearly suggests that the x-over is changing to some lower default setting when the SW control is switched to off, thereby delivering less signal to the sub. If something else is causing this, please explain. If this should not be happening, then my unit is defective, or maybe in need of a software update? How is this update accomplished?
If switching to "off" does indeed drop the x-over by design, please provide the default setting.
Thanks
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Official comment
Just to close the loop on this, and for the benefit of the community, I have been informed by tech support that my instincts are correct. The sub output is always on, but the x-over point DOES NOT remain constant as set by the user, despite all the comments on this board to the contrary. The sub crossover defaults to 80Hz when the toggle is switched to OFF. When toggled ON, the user selected x-over is what determines the low-pass at the SW output. This is EXACTLY what I am experiencing in my system.
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Hi,
I have escalated this as a support request to our support crew to investigate further.A member of our support team will be reaching out to you soon to gather some additional information and work towards a solution with you.
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Thanks @spellyny. As I’ve written elsewhere, I do not understand the purpose of this software algorithm - in what scenario would you want the processing and output to remain active with Sub Off? IMO, it would be much more useful for sub setup (level/phase/location/etc) to be able to turn sub output off when Sub Off is chosen.
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It seems the main intent of the ON/OFF switch is for the user to apply (or not) a high-pass filter at the analog outputs for your main speakers. In practise, that's what it does. It also determines what low-pass is applied at the SUBW OUTPUT: user selected X-OVER when ON, default 80Hz when OFF.
But as you correctly state, SUBW OUTPUT is always active even when SUBWOOFER is switched to OFF. The power switch on subwoofer itself will need to be used to power it on / off when setting up and locating it.
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I rather be able to turn the sub on and off from my listening chair. I don’t understand why it defaults to 80Hz when Sub is OFF
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Just a guess, but I figure the logic is that 80Hz is a reasonable level to low-pass a sub when it's just supplementing the bottom of most speakers out there (ie: small and medium sized) when they are being run full range (ie: OFF position). When high-passing main speakers (ie: ON position), the Node gives flexibility that allows user to select CROSSOVER as a function of speaker size, and therefore LF reach.
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