Subwoofer integation & main speaker performance improvement

[Binx]

I am considering adding one or two subwoofers to my system that has Revel F226Bes as the main speakers. In my research, I have come across several mentions that if you employ high pass filter on the mains when integrating a sub that their performance will improve. A variety of reasons are given. I am hesitant to go this route of enabling a high pass filter because it would involve (if I understand correctly) inserting a device in the pristine signal path to my mains.

1. Is it true that the performance of a full range speaker can improve above the range of a high pass filter in this situation?
2. The frequency response of the F226Bes is very linear. If there is an improvement, would it be audible?

If 1 & 2 are so, what is the best way to implement the crossover? I have learned a lot form this forum. I’d appreciate any input. Thanks.

 

[staticV3]

Is it true that the performance of a full range speaker can improve above the range of a high pass filter in this situation?

High-passing a full range speaker can give improvements above the crossover frequency. Here's one example:


Source

However, there are lots of loudspeaker models that show no such improvement.

I have not seen such multitone distortion testing of the F226Be, so can't tell you which category it belongs to.

The frequency response of the F226Bes is very linear. If there is an improvement, would it be audible?

That depends on the severity of the improvement, what kind of content you play, how loud you play it, and how sensitive you are to distortion.

If 1 & 2 are so, what is the best way to implement the crossover?

Audio source (digital)->DSP->Digital crossover->separate DAC chip for sub and mains.

miniDSP's Flex series is a prime candidate for this.

 

[anotherhobby]

In my experience, the improvements from high passing the mains is most dramatic for 2 ways designs, where the mid-range is doing bass duty as well. The benefit is much smaller for 3 way designs. I have Revel M105's (2-ways) with subs, and also Focal Aria 936's (3-ways) with subs. The Revels benefit greatly; the Focals not so much. Depends on the speaker, as staticV3 stated above.

That said, if you integrate subs, you'll still want to high pass the mains so you aren't doing double bass. I still high pass my Focal Aria 936's at 80 Hz, even though I don't think it technically makes them sound any better, because you'll get a better sub integration by doing so. Improving the Focals wasn't the goal, bass extension was.

Also, don't obsess on the "pristine" signal thing, as it's not really a thing.

In my office system with the Revels, I use a miniDSP Flex (like mentioned above) for crossover duty, and with my living room system with the Focals, a Denon does the crossovers.