Sub woofer With M-AUDIO

[sceavis]

Is there anyway to add a Mirage Omni S-8 sub woofer  to a pair of M-audio bx5a's  with out any extra equipment? I am coming straight out of the computer to the speakers. 

[size=1.7em]  [/size]

 

[obobskivich]

No. Not really.

You need an outboard crossover/bass management device.

This toy will do it:
http://www.bbesound.com/products/sonic-maximizers/382isw.aspx

Among other things (the BBE engine).

Alternately this toy:
http://shop.emotiva.com/collections/processors/products/usp1

Or this toy:
http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/CX2310.aspx (with baluns or a DI to get you SE for the sub).

 

[germanium]

Quote:

Is there anyway to add a Mirage Omni S-8 sub woofer  to a pair of M-audio bx5a's  with out any extra equipment? I am coming straight out of the computer to the speakers. 

[size=1.7em]  [/size]

Yes the sub has it's own crossover & phase control. All you need is a simple signal splitter & a extra set of cables. I use the same setup with my M-Audio BX5's & Tannoy subwoofer

 

[obobskivich]

Yes the sub has it's own crossover & phase control. All you need is a simple signal splitter & a extra set of cables. I use the same setup with my M-Audio BX5's & Tannoy subwoofer

That's not a crossover, it's a low-pass filter. It's not the same thing. Phase control should be assumed, quite honestly.

Without an actual crossover, one (or both) sides are seeing the FR, and "integration" is only the result of roll-off.

There are subwoofers that do include crossovers, M-Audio makes one as a companion device for the BX5, and they work swimmingly. Alternately, you need something up-stream to handle the "thinking" for proper integration. And since you're already spending on that, you might as well just get an LMS and provide EQ correction at the same time (REW is free too!) - go for broke:

http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/DCX2496.aspx (and yes, DCX over DEQ).

 

[germanium]

Quote:

That's not a crossover, it's a low-pass filter. It's not the same thing. Phase control should be assumed, quite honestly.

Without an actual crossover, one (or both) sides are seeing the FR, and "integration" is only the result of roll-off.
There are subwoofers that do include crossovers, M-Audio makes one as a companion device for the BX5, and they work swimmingly. Alternately, you need something up-stream to handle the "thinking" for proper integration. And since you're already spending on that, you might as well just get an LMS and provide EQ correction at the same time (REW is free too!) - go for broke:
http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/DCX2496.aspx (and yes, DCX over DEQ).

Let's see M-Audio speakers already have a high pass filter built in & the sub has a low pass filter, Who needs an external crossover. I use mine without on & works very well.

 

[obobskivich]

Let's see M-Audio speakers already have a high pass filter built in

Still not the same. Better, but still not the same. Proper xover is the proper way to do it; I'm sure your setup "works well" (it's in quotes because that's impossible to quantify, not because I don't believe you ), but an LMS with REW and a true crossover is really the right way to do it. Not only do you get it set correctly for your specific room and equipment, but you can validate that result.

You'll also have to forgive me, but I don't see any mention of a high-pass filter for the BX5 (nor do I see controls for one):
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/MAudioBX5D2New.html
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/StudiophileBX5aDeluxe.html

Yes, some M-Audio speakers do have high-pass/EQ filters built-in, but I'm not aware of any such feature for the BX5; here's an example with the feature:
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/StudiophileDSM3.html

Dialing that in with a subwoofer's low-pass, by ear, in any room, would be a royal challenge to get right. It's also fairly inaccurate, and you're still not properly crossing the signal into both - you're just chopping it on either end. The general premise as to why we like crossovers is along the same lines as why we like the active multi-amplification found within these speakers.

FWIW, M-Audio specs this sub (http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/SBX10.html) for the BX5 and BX8 monitors, and it features a variable crossover built in. Not as accurate as an LMS, but better than nothing.

 

[sceavis]

Thank you all for your help I have not bought a sub yet there was a real good deal on the Mirage and thought it could be a good way to add low end.With I learned here I think i'm better of just saving my money  for the M-Audio sub .Thank you all once again for your help!!!!