Maximum recommended interconnect length?

[DarrenHW]

I want to try my sub behind the seating however this would require a 20m interconnect and I only have the option of RCA, any thoughts?

(I plan on using Van Damme XKE-1)

[AlanS]

Have you considered then ruled out asking the sub manufacturer. I find they often know this sort of thing. Whereas forum members with different subs will have different experiences listening to which ideas may confuse someone

[Macca]

I doubt anyone here has tried using a sub with a 70 foot interconnect. I mean, how big is the room?

[DarrenHW]

Have you considered then ruled out asking the sub manufacturer. I find they often know this sort of thing. Whereas forum members with different subs will have different experiences listening to which ideas may confuse someone

Hadn't even crossed my mind.


I doubt anyone here has tried using a sub with a 70 foot interconnect. I mean, how big is the room?

Room is 5m x 5m (~ 16 x 16 in old money) but due to door openings the most direct route is into and back out of the roof space, 20m is on the generous side, it should be a little shorter.

I plan on making interconnects for the kitchen system out of XKE-1 so I've just placed an order, it seems the best option is to just try it.

[CageyH]

Is going under the floor not an option?

[DarrenHW]

Unfortunately not, solid concrete. Blue Jeans recommend using coax, haven't you experimented with coax? If so any recommendations for a budget cable?

[CageyH]

You could try RG59/U - TV aerial cable.
I have used it in longer lengths than 20m for TV signals, but I have no idea how it would work for audio over 20m, even if it is just a sub.

[DarrenHW]

Cheers Kev, certainly cheap enough, I'll give it a go if the XKE-1 doesn't work out :thumbsup:.

[walpurgis]

They (whoever 'they' are) say that bass is not directional, but somehow I suspect having the sub (presumably) that far from the front speakers may throw up some odd acoustic effects.

[DarrenHW]

I don't know what effect moving the sub to the rear of the room will have but it will be for AV only. I currently have it ~3.5m from the front speakers and it integrates very well.

[Gordon Steadman]

They (whoever 'they' are) say that bass is not directional, but somehow I suspect having the sub (presumably) that far from the front speakers may throw up some odd acoustic effects.

I suspect so. A friend of mine bought my REL and has it behind his listening sofa. When I first listened all I could hear was the thump behind me. Eventually, after he turned it down to reasonable levels, even though it was only just in the mix, I was still aware of where it was. I just don't think it integrated properly. I can't remember how long the lead REL provide is but it certainly isn't over 3 or 4 metres. (Why he need a sub I don't know as he has a set of the HI FI News transmission lines)

I was only ever happy with it between the main speakers. That was in three different rooms.

I guess there is only one way to find out if it works for you.

[Firebottle]

I can't see having a 20m interconnect for sub duty is going to be a problem.
The drawback with long interconnects can be the roll off of high frequencies, so in this case it is not a problem :)

[CageyH]

Isn't VD Pro Grade Classic XKE coaxial construction anyway?

[PaulStewart]

I can't see having a 20m interconnect for sub duty is going to be a problem.
The drawback with long interconnects can be the roll off of high frequencies, so in this case it is not a problem :)

I agree and I think that XKE, which is designed for long microphone runs wil be the perfect solution, it's what I would use.

[Puffin]

I have did a lot of experimenting with subs years ago. I put one behind me to try and it simply didn't integrate with the main speakers. Made it all sound strange. However as we know all rooms are different and bastards to get right.

[Oldpinkman]

I can't see having a 20m interconnect for sub duty is going to be a problem.
The drawback with long interconnects can be the roll off of high frequencies, so in this case it is not a problem :)

The other drawback in my experience is they pick up noise. Even at 5m, admittedly run close to mains cables at times, I pick up earth loop hum on my AV connection. Whilst I can attenuate it to almost imperceptible with a beefy earth wire between amp chassis (what's the plural of chassis??), I am aware it is there without a "breaker". I now have a transformer coupling.

[paskinn]

Subs are funny things, rooms are funny things too. There don't seem many useful 'rules'....you just have to experiment with placing; level, phase.....I now use two REL 528 subs in a small room, driven quite lightly. It helps get a balanced sound. You can usually integrate a sub, but it can be hard work, ideally you need someone to help move the thing around. Of course, as there is no 'standard' bass level on recordings, there's no 'correct' setting anyway.
And that's ignoring the truth, that our ears are non=linear, so as you change volume, the balance changes too. Hey ho.....Best not to worry too much.

[DarrenHW]

I've had the sub hooked up behind me for a week now. The 20m XKE works very well, I initially swapped the existing 5m cable for the 20m with the sub in the same location and didn't notice any difference between the two cables, nor could I hear any interference picked up by the longer cable so I now have it behind the seating.

The reduction in room interaction (I think?) is quite obvious, bass volume reduced and was far less audible in the higher frequencies. I didn't like this "reduction" when I first hooked it up but now having watched a few films and tweaked the volume and cross over point I do prefer it. In setting it up I have actually raised the crossover point from ~45Hz to ~53Hz, this is more like where the cross over point should be as I think this is more like the drop off point of the 44's.

The room is now less "flooded" with bass which actually helps the surround illusion, more lower volume detail can be heard from the other speakers which really improves the sound stage. Lower frequencies also have far more impact and are more felt than heard.

The downside, as suggested above, is at times it is obvious that the sub's behind you. This only happens occasionally when watching a film but is far more detectable when listening to 2 channel music . I no longer use the sub when listening to music so this is a compromise I'm happy to make, although if using a sub purely as a "helper" for 2 channel music I would not recommend rear placement.

Thanks for everyone's input, I'm very happy with the result and would encourage anyone with a sub for home cinema duties to try it behind the seating if they have the option. Even if not looking to move the sub behind the seating but just to use a longer cable for more placement options Van Damme XKE Instrument Cable works very well and can be picked up for less than £1pm :).