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How Do I Use a Standalone Sub Instead of the Ones Built into My Tower Speakers?

Al Griffin  |  Apr 16, 2015

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Q I recently purchased a pair of Definitive Technology BP 8060 ST tower speakers with built-in subs. They are connected to my Sony STR-DH750 receiver. What would be the correct speaker setting if I used the 8060s as my front speakers (set to Large) and continued to use my Sony sub for LFE instead of the ones built into the Def Tech towers? The rest of my system consists of two Infinity rear surrounds and a center speaker, plus two Bose speakers mounted on the front wall that I use for height speakers. —Kevin Bolin / Houston, TX

A Since the STR-DH750 is a 7.1-channel receiver, and you’re using the two extra amp channels for height speakers instead of back surrounds, the correct speaker setting would be 3/2.1. You might want to consider ditching your current sub and using the ones built into your Def Tech 8060 tower speakers for LFE purposes instead, however. Any speaker system with two 10-inch subs, each powered by a 300-watt amp, should provide enough low-end oomph for all but the most bass-intensive applications, and something tells me that your Sony subwoofer isn’t going to cut it.

If you still require more bass extension and output than your current system provides, I’d suggest looking into a super-sub from a specialist subwoofer manufacturer like SVS or Hsu Research. One more suggestion: You may want to consider switching out your center and surround speakers with models that match your front towers. Using a medley of different-brand speakers in a multichannel system can result in tonal mismatches as the sound travels across the various channels.

COMMENTS
K.Reid's picture
Submitted by K.Reid on April 16, 2015 - 2:40pm

Kevin,
Sell your Sony subwoofer on Audiogon. An HSU or SVS standalone "true" subwoofer will be superior to those in your Definitive Technology speakers plus you will have more placement flexibility to combat standing waves and other room acoustic issues from powerful low frequencies. Two subs integrated in your front speakers does not guarantee this. Al is correct in recommending HSU Research and SVS sound. I recommend the phenomenal HSU Research VTF3 Mk5 since it is affordable and provides excellent performance. You will not be disappointed.

Mr. Hatcher's picture
Submitted by Mr. Hatcher on April 16, 2015 - 9:25pm

Or grab a Rythmik Audio FV15HP. It's a little bit more expensive than the Hsu subs, but less expensive than the SVS PB13 Ultra. And according to Data-Bass after 25Hz the FV15HP actually plays a couple dB louder than the PB13 Ultra. It's really splitting hairs at this point, but Rythmik Audio plays well with music and HT due to the servo design. They are all great subs though. Just remember, there's no replacement for displacement. And if you have the coin, a couple Seaton Submersive HP's will blow your socks off...literally. ;)

K.Reid's picture
Submitted by K.Reid on April 17, 2015 - 11:10am

all the above are true though I like the piano gloss finish and sweet metal grille of SVS sub's if you have the extra coin. it is a matter of taste. be sure to experiment with placement and run audyssey eq if your receiver is equipped with it. Enjoy

spkrlvr's picture
Submitted by spkrlvr on April 17, 2015 - 7:12pm

Mr. Bolin, Please read your speaker's manual, which gives you a few options in connecting your speaker to achieve optimal sound. If you choose, you can use the speakers' built-in subwoofers along with the Sony sub. If I were in your situation, I'd simply connect speaker wires from the AVR to the speaker terminals and the sub out of that AVR to your Sony sub. This method is simple and will give you plenty of bass for both music and movies. Save your money from purchasing another sub to purchase more Def Tech smaller speakers to replace those mismatched surround and center channels to achieve a balanced sound. Bose? You can't be serious, Kevin!

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