Need help pairing subwoofer to M-Audio BX5a's

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graememullen

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Hello all,

I am trying to mix some demos on a pair of M-Audio BX5A's, but they have very little low-end. I know they're not picking up the low-end because when I check my mixes through my hi-fi setup (a pair of Klipsch speakers and subwoofer connected via a Denon receiver) they sound way too boomy and heavy on low-end, especially on the bass guitar and kick drum tracks.

My understanding is that it's a bad idea to mix on hi-fi speakers because they're overly flattering and might blow if you run extreme frequencies through them, so I'd like to keep using my M-Audios for mixing but also add in the Klipsch subwoofer from my hi-fi system to mix with. However, I have no idea how to do this.

Currently, the BX5A's are connected to my laptop via a Tascam US-1800, which only has a pair of 1/4 inch outputs for monitors. So, no room to connect a sub directly to the Tascam (not that I can see anyway). Here's an image of the outputs on the Tascam:

http://www.loveri.com/uploads/images/1342696255.jpg

The BX5A's themselves don't have any room to connect a sub either:

http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/af93/compudio/REVIEW/BX5a-back640x479.jpg

Here's a picture of the back of the subwoofer:

https://diggit-assets.s3.amazonaws..../wizard_temp/16580362865352831243-800x600.jpg

Do I need to involve the Denon receiver in this equation to get it to work? Here are the inputs and outputs of the Denon:

http://bestofaudio.com/images/DRA697CI_Large_Back.jpg

Thanks in advance for any help with this!
 
I run a line-out from my sound card into a Rolls HA43 Pro headphone preamp. It has 4 outputs, so I run output 1 to the sub, output 2 to the monitors, and output 3 are my headphones. It's an easy $50-ish investment that adds a lot of quality flexibility to my setup, which is similar to yours (and probably many people here). You'll also need one 3.5mm stereo male to 2 RCA (L / R) cables, to whatever length you would need them to be to reach the sub. Not sure the exact configuration of cables you would need from the Rolls to the monitors. That's easy to figure out! :D

I'm sure there's a more expensive solution, but this works and I have zero line noise from it. The Rolls amps are well respected among people who are familiar and use their products.
 
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Pinky said:
I run a line-out from my sound card into a Rolls HA43 Pro headphone preamp. It has 4 outputs, so I run output 1 to the sub, output 2 to the monitors, and output 3 are my headphones. It's an easy $50-ish investment that adds a lot of quality flexibility to my setup, which is similar to yours (and probably many people here). You'll also need one 3.5mm stereo male to 2 RCA (L / R) cables, to whatever length you would need them to be to reach the sub. Not sure the exact configuration of cables you would need from the Rolls to the monitors. That's easy to figure out! :D

I'm sure there's a more expensive solution, but this works and I have zero line noise from it. The Rolls amps are well respected among people who are familiar and use their products.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the suggestion, this sounds like a good way to go. I also found some 1/4 inch to banana plug converters, so I was thinking of using those to connect the 1/4 inch outputs of the Tascam interface to the banana plug inputs on the subwoofer, then connecting the banana plug outputs on the subwoofer to the 1/4 inch inputs on the powered monitors. Would this work? Is connectin powered monitors to a powered sub a bad idea?
 
graememullen said:
Thanks for the suggestion, this sounds like a good way to go. I also found some 1/4 inch to banana plug converters, so I was thinking of using those to connect the 1/4 inch outputs of the Tascam interface to the banana plug inputs on the subwoofer, then connecting the banana plug outputs on the subwoofer to the 1/4 inch inputs on the powered monitors. Would this work? Is connectin powered monitors to a powered sub a bad idea?
Click to expand...

That probably would work. Your sub has a stereo input, mine does not, which necessitated getting the Rolls. With a mono input I couldn't do what you're thinking of doing (believe me - I tried!).

In theory you might be able to just split the tascam out into two pairs of line-outs and run them independently to the sub/monitors. You have a phase switch so if needed you can use it in this pairing (I don't have one but got lucky and do not have any phasing/polarity issues).

Understanding Audio Phase and Correcting Issues - Blog - Universal Audio
 
graememullen said:
Thanks for the suggestion, this sounds like a good way to go. I also found some 1/4 inch to banana plug converters, so I was thinking of using those to connect the 1/4 inch outputs of the Tascam interface to the banana plug inputs on the subwoofer, then connecting the banana plug outputs on the subwoofer to the 1/4 inch inputs on the powered monitors. Would this work? Is connectin powered monitors to a powered sub a bad idea?
Click to expand...

Don't do that.
The sub can take line level or an amplified signal.
The maudios can only take line level; Putting an amplified signal into them will most likely damage their amps.


I'd suggest taking the tascam outputs (pair) into the denon then using it to feed everything else.
Looks like there are two pairs of pre-outs so you can just use those; One pair to the monitors, one pair to the sub.

I mean, you're using your fancy denon amp as a line level splitter, but hey...why not. :)

The other options would be to get the simplest of simple mixers and use it for the same purpose.
The headphone amp thing will work, but I'm not sure I'd want to feed my monitors from a headphone amp.

IF the tascam software/your daw has the option to mirror outputs, just wire outputs 1+2 to the monitors and 3+4 to the sub (low level) and mirror them.
 
Noted. I'll give it a try with the Denon. Thanks for the input.
 
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