VTF-15H MK2 Setup - XLR? Dual with smaller sub?

[acepaul]

I just ordered the VTF-15H MK2. My Receiver is an older (1st gen HDMI switching) but high end Denon and the subwoofer output is mono RCA. The sub will need about 25'-30' of cable to achieve correct placement. Should I convert the RCA to XLR or is RCA fine for hookup? Any advantages/disadvantages to either way?

Also, I currently have a Velodyne CHT-12 (170 watts RMS, 12" driver) that I have been using with my system. Any advantage to running this dual with the VTF-15H MK2 or will it make no difference and possibly even detract from the sound quality? I am running Energy full size towers that produce some decent bass by themselves and large Energy bookshelf speakers for surrounds. Any advice would be great.

[Kevin_Hsu]

I would say that in most consumer applications, running unbalanced 30' RCA for subwoofer connection is perfectly fine, granted that it is properly shielded. Since the source is unbalanced, converting it to an XLR connection would make no difference, so just run a 30' RCA/subwoofer cable.

You could try, though the CHT will basically be your bottleneck in the system, so it will reach its limits before the VTF-15H MK2. It's a bit difficult to gain match two different performing subs. I really don't think the CHT
would contribute much to the setup. There is a good possibility that it could detract from the sound quality due to things such as improper placement causing non-linearity, etc.

[cacihome]

Originally Posted by acepaul

I just ordered the VTF-15H MK2. My Receiver is an older (1st gen HDMI switching) but high end Denon and the subwoofer output is mono RCA. The sub will need about 25'-30' of cable to achieve correct placement. Should I convert the RCA to XLR or is RCA fine for hookup? Any advantages/disadvantages to either way?

Also, I currently have a Velodyne CHT-12 (170 watts RMS, 12" driver) that I have been using with my system. Any advantage to running this dual with the VTF-15H MK2 or will it make no difference and possibly even detract from the sound quality? I am running Energy full size towers that produce some decent bass by themselves and large Energy bookshelf speakers for surrounds. Any advice would be great.

I don't think you'll need more output than what the Mk2 is capable of. It is a very powerful performer. I had the CHT-12 before, when I ordered my Vtf3 Mk3. The VTf3 Mk3 is so much more powerful than the CHT, it is funny.

The VTf15h Mk1 was a lot more powerful than the 3 mk3, and the Vtf15h Mk2 is ridiculously more powerful than the mk1.

[acepaul]

Thanks for all the input. My theater is a 16x20x9 room on a loft area that dumps out into a 20x20x16 great-room that is open to the kitchen that goes into a hallway, etc, etc - so I lose a lot of sound! That is why I am trying to keep as much power in the system as possible. I am tempted to use the Velodyne as mid-low bass (40-80hz) by hooking it to the pre-outs for the center or left and right speakers. I think that the crossover is applied before the pre-outs, but I would have to check on that.


I also received advice from HSU tech support to set my crossover on my speakers to 80hz to "free up headroom for mids and highs. I agree that for my surround speakers this is a good place, but my towers are Energy Connoisseur C-9 's with 120 clean watts being pumped into them from my Denon AVR 3806. The speakers have a fairly flat response down close to 30hz so I was thinking crossover at 40 or 60 at the highest.

[cacihome]

Originally Posted by acepaul

Thanks for all the input. My theater is a 16x20x9 room on a loft area that dumps out into a 20x20x16 great-room that is open to the kitchen that goes into a hallway, etc, etc - so I lose a lot of sound! That is why I am trying to keep as much power in the system as possible. I am tempted to use the Velodyne as mid-low bass (40-80hz) by hooking it to the pre-outs for the center or left and right speakers. I think that the crossover is applied before the pre-outs, but I would have to check on that.


I also received advice from HSU tech support to set my crossover on my speakers to 80hz to "free up headroom for mids and highs. I agree that for my surround speakers this is a good place, but my towers are Energy Connoisseur C-9 's with 120 clean watts being pumped into them from my Denon AVR 3806. The speakers have a fairly flat response down close to 30hz so I was thinking crossover at 40 or 60 at the highest.

Mmmmmm...I see that you have a very big open room.

I see you having 2 Mk2's then. Really, the Velo is too weak to pair it.

[acepaul]

Originally Posted by cacihome

Mmmmmm...I see that you have a very big open room.

I see you having 2 Mk2's then. Really, the Velo is too weak to pair it.

Yeah, not a possibility in the near future. $$ I guess it will come down to testing multiple setups until I like what I have.

Surprisingly, the Velodyne actually does a fairly good job under the circumstances. I had to put it to one front side with the driver facing into a corner to get enough db. You lose a bit of clarity, but it is quite a bit louder. Hoping to have a much better experience with the MK2.

Any thoughts on the speaker crossover?

[cacihome]

Originally Posted by acepaul

Yeah, not a possibility in the near future. $$ I guess it will come down to testing multiple setups until I like what I have.

Surprisingly, the Velodyne actually does a fairly good job under the circumstances. I had to put it to one front side with the driver facing into a corner to get enough db. You lose a bit of clarity, but it is quite a bit louder. Hoping to have a much better experience with the MK2.

Any thoughts on the speaker crossover?

I would put it at 80hz. Even though your receiver/speaker "can" handle down to 50hz maybe, the Vtf15h mk2 has a monstrous midbass performance. It will coast through those freqs, and alleviate your mains/receiver from that bass too. Less intermodulation distortion, etc...

[acepaul]

Originally Posted by cacihome

I would put it at 80hz. Even though your receiver/speaker "can" handle down to 50hz maybe, the Vtf15h mk2 has a monstrous midbass performance. It will coast through those freqs, and alleviate your mains/receiver from that bass too. Less intermodulation distortion, etc...

Well, I guess the proof is in the pudding. I will just have to try a few configurations and see what sounds best. What a shame that I will have to spend hours tweaking the system.