Why have the speaker level inputs largely dissappeared from subwoofers?

[maxp779]

Also were speaker level inputs ever actually that common in the past on a subwoofer? From googling I get the impression they might have been but im not sure.

I see quite a few amplifiers with no pre out, but with 2x speaker level outs e.g Marantz PM 6006. However I looked at a lot of the subwoofers at Richer Sounds and most of them lacked speaker level inputs. It's all RCA inputs. So it looks basically impossible to hook up a modern subwoofer to an amp that lacks a pre out. Or am I totally wrong and there is a way to convert the speaker outs to RCA?

 

[AudioJester]

I think you can use a Jensen isomax transformer to do this. High level input with both line level and high level output.
But dont high level inputs cause noise and distortion?
Much better off using a pre/dac/avr with sub or analogue outputs. So many choices these days, why buy inferior gear not fit for purpose and then compromise sub integration? Or spend money on costly compromises?

 

[tuga]

Perhaps because the target audience is the home cinema user and he owns an AV receiver with sub line outs?

 

[RPG]

I believe REL still makes most, if not all, of their subs with speaker level input capability. I have two of their older R-305's, hooked up exactly this way.

 

[maxp779]

I believe REL still makes most, if not all, of their subs with speaker level input capability. I have two of their older R-305's, hooked up exactly this way.

I see a lot of people saying that but I can't find a single sub with speaker level inputs on the REL site.

https://rel.net/product-category/powered-subwoofers/

 

[pozz]

I see a lot of people saying that but I can't find a single sub with speaker level inputs on the REL site.

https://rel.net/product-category/powered-subwoofers/

REL calls them high-level inputs and uses a speakOn connecter: https://rel.net/shop/accessories/bassline-blue/

To be honest, I'm not sure why you would want to connect them that way. Subs need a lot of power and the plate amps in active subs are typically optimized for the specific driver.

 

[SimpleTheater]

This sub $100 subwoofer has all the inputs/outputs you could want, except balanced.
https://www.rockvilleaudio.com/rock-shaker-8-black/

 

[thewas]

One reason is that just adding a subwoofer without correctly high-pass filtering the loudspeakers and crossing both with symmetric phase and amplitudes, rarely gives an optimal result. The problem rather is that most stereo amps till recently had no real crossovers and measurement options.

 

[Soniclife]

https://www.bkelec.com/
All theirs have high level inputs.

 

[Soniclife]

To be honest, I'm not sure why you would want to connect them that way. Subs need a lot of power and the plate amps in active subs are typically optimized for the specific driver.

High level inputs don't directly drive the sub, they just provide the input to the built in amp.

 

[raistlin65]

https://www.bkelec.com/
All theirs have high level inputs.

Yep. And they are an excellent UK brand.

 

[ferongr]

https://www.bkelec.com/
All theirs have high level inputs.

I own an XLS200 that I bought from cheap from BK's Ebay outlet due to "minor cosmetic imperfection" (that I still haven't managed to find). It performs excellently and way abo the crap you can find in Europe for 300-400€.