Does "Y" cables make the subwoofer sound better?

Question

Currently Im just using a simple crappy white RCA cable. The subwoofer sounds ok, but I was wondering if i connect to both line in's using a "Y" cable, would it sound better?

Answer 1

No, a subwoofer is Mono, so even though it may have two RCA connections, you only need to feed the signal into one.  And do yourself a favor and use a decent cable, not a crappy one.   If I'm running the wire a distance or in the wall, I use RG6 Coax cable and terminate the ends with RCA connectors..

Answer 2

First make sure the cable is made for (LFE) sub-woofer signal, as most other cables will not handle the signal coherently (overloading a cable will induce buzz, and distortion)

It depends on the sub-woofer design, but if you have dual sub-woofer(LFE) inputs, (different from dual line-in inputs), usually the amp will operate in a push-pull operation with one circuit operating from zero voltage to 1 or 2.83 volts positive, and the other operating from zero to 1 or 2.83 volts negative.

My sub, a Klipsch operates this way, and I can use one or both of the inputs.

A Sub-Woofer Y-Cable is made to send an In-Phase Signal to one split, and an Out-of Phase Signal to the other split.

Using a Sub-Woofer Y-Cable (properly designed) into an sub designed for such signal, you will get a more dynamic signal (and a more dynamic sound) before clipping your sub amp and over-extension (Bottoming out, distorting and destroying) of the speaker.

Running your sub with an push-pull (In/Out of Phase) signal will give you a 6db signal increase, so you can turn down the sub amp (6db) to get the same output levels, and thus reduce the intermodulation distortion present at the speaker. Plus you have an extra 6db headroom or 3 times the loudness on tap for a weak or low signal if needed.

Louder and Cleaner> Now that's an improvement!

Splitter cables (same signal, both In-Phase) are different than Sub-Y-Cables, They must be in/out of phase cables to work this way.

One of the few places where > It Does Pay< to spend a little more on the monster style (ie: heavy duty> not brand!) cable (do'nt want to overload this one).

Answer 3

If you're driving the subwoofer with the LFE jack from a surround sound receiver, you should be using the LFE input on the subwoofer. This sends the low-frequency audio signals to the subwoofer's power amp and both channels (left and right) are amplified.

If you're just using a line out from the receiver to feed the subwoofer, why would you not just run left and right line outputs to the sub?

If you just use one line output and split it with a y-adapter, you have just cut the audio signal in half. So, you don't have much of a difference between amplifying one full-strength signal with one power amplifier, versus amplifying two half-strength signals with two power amplifiers.

Answer 4

not to give you an answer that is 5 paragraphs long the answer is No, if you have LFE inout on your sub, and out of your reciever then us that much better.

Answer 5

That is ONLY going to matter based on the SUB you have. You provided no model number so there is no way to be exactly sure.

But here is the CORRECT explanation of the difference in a mono connection and a Y connection.

In the days of stereo a person would normally hook up a preout to a powered sub, and would adjust the crossover and level for both. Most subs at the time did not have signal detection to tell if a stereo signal or mono signal was used, the low pass filter would send both low freq signals to a buffer and the Sub would amplify in mono. This would also allow for independent subs for left and right channels.

Enter Pro logic and DD. Where an down mix was needed to perform base management vs. running 6 channels of preout to a sub, the receiver did the work and one connection to the sub.

But what about the guy with 5 year old speakers that are still good? A Y cable was made to make sure both sides of the amp were used.

Nowadays most Subs can detect if a two channel signal is hooked up and will compensate, in fact you could make the sound worse by having a Y connection to introduce noise into the works.

Case in point check you sub manual as well as you receiver to see what would be the best way to hook it up or include the model number.

Answer 6

Yes and be sure to use a y cable with a ferite core as close to the speaker as possible.  It will help reduce interference that causes sub buzz