Separate volume control for speakers and sub?

[levanni]

Hi,

I'm going to get some powered bookshelf speakers with subwoofer but I'd like to control the volume separately for the speakers and sub. Is there some pre-amplifier with this option? or passive volume knob controller with two knobs each for speakers and sub separately?

Thanks

 

[staticV3]

Which powered bookshelf speakers are you going to buy? And which sub?

 

[levanni]

something like this, but with an analog volume knob, not digital. Also I don't know if this digital remote can control speakers and sub separately.

Bookshelf Speaker and Subwoofer 2.1 Speaker System

 

[DVDdoug]

Just about anything with a crossover and subwoofer output will have a separate control for the sub, but it's usually "relative" so the main volume controls everything together and you don't have to adjust them both every time you change the volume.

You can adjust the subwoofer level with most (all?) AVR's but of course the main volume control affects all of the outputs/speakers together.

Most active subs have a level control but it's effectively in series with your regular volume control, so again, the main volume control affects everything. And it may not be convenient (usually on the back).

Active crossovers always have separate controls.

You could get a pair of these.

 

[levanni]

Just about anything with a crossover and subwoofer output will have a separate control for the sub, but it's usually "relative" so the main volume controls everything together and you don't have to adjust them both every time you change the volume.

You can adjust the subwoofer level with most (all?) AVR's but of course the main volume control affects all of the outputs/speakers together.

Most active subs have a level control but it's effectively in series with your regular volume control, so again, the main volume control affects everything. And it may not be convenient (usually on the back).

Active crossovers always have separate controls.

You could get a pair of these.

Right, all "serious" speakers, I'm not talking about "computer speakers" as they categorize them, have the volume knob on the speaker/sub itself. No remote control by wire, I don't want to use their silly IR remote, have no idea who needs IR remote for bookshelf/studio speakers?

Thanks for the link, yes I've seen this kind of knobs, seems like I will have to get at least two of them, I haven't seen anything like that but with multiple volume knobs on it. Interesting if any sort of amplifier/preamplifier has it either by separate volume knob for sub or by changing it in the menu.

 

[sigbergaudio]

Not sure I understand the use case. So a volume / gain control on the subwoofer will not suffice?

 

[anotherhobby]

Why do you want separate volume control of the sub? Generally speaking, you want to leave it at a fixed level, relative to the mains, as DVDdoug said above. I thought I wanted what you are asking for (the ability to dial the bass on demand) and used the device at the link below before returning it. What ended up solving my desire to be able to have less/more bass on demand was to get a miniDSP Flex and use the 4 config presets: (1) primary calibration, (2) same as 1 with some bass cut, (3) same a 1 with bass bump, (4) subs disabled. I can switch them back and forth instantly. The problem I had with separate volume controls was never being able to get back to (1) accurately, which is to say a correctly balanced calibration.

Volume control: https://www.amazon.com/Nobsound-Fully-Balanced-Single-Ended-Pre-Amplifier-Controller/dp/B01MXC9HHW

 

[levanni]

Why do you want separate volume control of the sub? Generally speaking, you want to leave it at a fixed level, relative to the mains, as DVDdoug said above. I thought I wanted what you are asking for (the ability to dial the bass on demand) and used the device at the link below before returning it. What ended up solving my desire to be able to have less/more bass on demand was to get a miniDSP Flex and use the 4 config presets: (1) primary calibration, (2) same as 1 with some bass cut, (3) same a 1 with bass bump, (4) subs disabled. I can switch them back and forth instantly. The problem I had with separate volume controls was never being able to get back to (1) accurately, which is to say a correctly balanced calibration.

Volume control: https://www.amazon.com/Nobsound-Fully-Balanced-Single-Ended-Pre-Amplifier-Controller/dp/B01MXC9HHW

I should have said this at the beginning. My future xDuoo XD05 Bal 2 has an AUX out which I want to use as a pre out to powered speakers, but because I mostly will use my IEMs for listening, my IEMs will go to its headphone out port and the speakers will be muted, but I'd like to have sub while listening to IEMs with ability to control how much power it should produce. If I go with a regular method I'll end up having main speakers also active.

 

[Zek]

I'd like to have sub while listening to IEMs

What???

 

[levanni]

What???

Relax, why do you think Jason Stoddard at Schiit Audio decided not to mute IEM output when you switch headphones to pre-outs on Jotunheim 2? It's fun.

 

[Elitzur–Vaidman]

What???

I sometimes listen to my HD6XX with my SVS micro filling in the bass. It's actually a really enjoyable setup since bass isn't exclusively perceived through the ears.

 

[Shadrach]

Some powered speakers have sensitivity adjustment and this may prove to be sufficient.

 

[Elitzur–Vaidman]

I sometimes listen to my HD6XX with my SVS micro filling in the bass. It's actually a really enjoyable setup since bass isn't exclusively perceived through the ears.

Just to expand on this slightly, my headphones and subwoofer volume is controlled by my DAC first and then I further adjust the subwoofer volume using the SVS app.

 

[levanni]

Just to expand on this slightly, my headphones and subwoofer volume is controlled by my DAC first and then I further adjust the subwoofer volume using the SVS app.

can u tell the dac model?

 

[Elitzur–Vaidman]

can u tell the dac model?

I have a topping D70s, but the dac itself doesn't really matter as long as you have some sort of master volume control.