[spectralman]

Doug, what active crossover are you using with your pair of VMPS subs?  Also, what amp are you driving them with?  Are you driving each 12" and 15" driver separately or together?  Thanks.

Bill

[doug s.]

Doug, what active crossover are you using with your pair of VMPS subs?  Also, what amp are you driving them with?  Are you driving each 12" and 15" driver separately or together?  Thanks.

Bill

hi bill,

i use a marchand xm9LL.  really nice - transparent, flexible...  i have auditioned a lot of different speakers & it's always been easy to get a good  seamless blend.  using a pink noise generator & spectrum analyzer has hepled here...

i understand that marchand's xm44 is also killer - mebbe even better than mine?  its differences are that it cannot be adjusted for wolume *at* the x-over point, but it allows for having different hi-pass & low-pass x-over points, & even slopes, as i recall...

re: amplification, i used to run a pair of original adcom gfa555's, bridged.  each sub w/one set of binding posts for both drivers.  then on a whim, i tried running the amps in stereo, using only one channel for each sub, the other channel idle.  this actually sounded better - a tad tighter.  i tink the older adcoms sound better whan not bridged, & there was still more than enuff power...  after this, i got brian cheney to send me another pair of binding posts which i wired in, & then i could run both amps' channels, one channel driving the 12", the other driving the 15".  i presently run a pair of electrocompaniet aw75dmb's in this fashion...   but, even the original set-up w/the bridged adcoms was great - ya really do not need to break the bank getting amplification for these subs, imo...

hth,

doug s.

[spectralman]

Thank you, Doug.  That's exactly what I wanted to know.

[John Casler]

i use a marchand xm9LL. really nice - transparent, flexible... i have auditioned a lot of different speakers & it's always been easy to get a good seamless blend. using a pink noise generator & spectrum analyzer has hepled here...

i understand that marchand's xm44 is also killer - mebbe even better than mine? its differences are that it cannot be adjusted for wolume *at* the x-over point, but it allows for having different hi-pass & low-pass x-over points, & even slopes, as i recall...

I agree with Doug here.  The XM9L-AA (or kit version) is probably the best overall choice.

I became a dealer a few months ago, and will be talking to Phil about one small modification to the Crossover that will "really" make it incredible.  

In fact with this mod, (which is still under wraps, and no other x-over has, as far as I know) , it will be the "perfect" RM40/LARGER Sub CrossOver companion.

[Marbles]

Might want to talk to Curt at IRD...word is his PT-2 is a killer XO.

[John Casler]

I just spoke to Phil Marchand and he also suggested that the XM6 would offer the most control and flexibiity.

He has also agreed to make the Summit Version of any of the x-overs.

What is the Summit Version?

For years I have had "dual" systems.  That is, I have an Audio System and a HT system in one.

I "do" use a Source/preamp/amp/speaker for 2 channel and just run the HT Left and Right main outputs into the 2 channel preamp inputs.  

Simple enough....  untill you want to use a X-over to power a passive SUB.

Now that involves switching a couple cables which means turning the amp off or possibly blowing the woofer and actually it becomes a hassle.

The Summit/Marchand option is an upgrade, that allows you to run all the normal "inputs" and outputs of the X-over,....BUT.... you can also run your LFE output into the crossover box and have it "pass thru" by just flipping a selector switch.

It also switches the mains to pass thru, and you've now got the "HT mode", without plugging and unplugging and turning amps off and on.

This option can be added to most of the Marchand line and I think it should offer a very cool "flexibility" that we have never actually had with any x-over I have heard of before.

Anyone who adds a couple LARGERS to their RM40s can now have a much easier time with "BASS" management (without the hassle) than ever before.

If anyone likes the idea, or could use it, let me know.

I'll post a more detailed explanation and pricing information in the "Market Place" later on.

[doug s.]

I just spoke to Phil Marchand and he also suggested that the XM6 would offer the most control and flexibiity....

if this is the model w/built-in x-over frequency switching w/digital readout, phil told me that, tho more conwenient, it was not sonically as transparent as the xm-9LL.   this was several years ago...  fwiw...  and, i bet the xm44 is a tad more transparent, & possibly even more flexible in matching mopnitor to sub, w/independant x-over slopes.  but, also more challenging to get right!  

re: all that "summit" stuff, boy, i'm sure glad i'm not into watching movies!  

doug s.

[zybar]

John,

Just what I would need if I decide to sell my REL subs and go full VMPS.

Send me a PM with costs please.

GW

[John Casler]

I just spoke to Phil Marchand and he also suggested that the XM6 would offer the most control and flexibiity....

if this is the model w/built-in x-over frequency switching w/digital readout, phil told me that, tho more conwenient, it was not sonically as transparent as the xm-9LL.   this was several years ago...  fwiw...  and, i bet the xm44 is a tad more transparent, & possibly even more flexible in matching mopnitor to sub, w/independant x-over slopes.  but, also more challenging to get right!  

re: all that "summit" stuff, boy, i'm sure glad i'm not into watching movies!  ...

Hi Doug,

Yep, that's the one.  Although I can't assess what the circuitry does to the sound, the flexibility certainly is nice.  You could go from the RM40s to the 626Rs and just dial in the x-over frequency and level control on the spot, rather than cracking the case and inserting "fixed" modules.

Just like anything else it is dependant on your system needs and critical listening preferences.


As far as the SUMMIT option, I know a lot of people do have systems that perform "double duty" and so do I.

While I had been using a "crossover, I have had for years, to go back and forth to HT LF output to 2 channel audio was a real PIA.  

So I developed a method of making a very simple "HT pass thru" on the Marchand models that makes it only a matter of flicking a switch.

Now those of us who have VMPS or "any" passive sub can have our two systems living together with great sound and simplicity of operation.

[John Casler]

John,

Just what I would need if I decide to sell my REL subs and go full VMPS.

Send me a PM with costs please.

GW

Hi Zybar,

Very simply you would need:

1) a crossover and associated interconnects
2) a power amp, associated interconnects and speaker cabling
3) a Passive SUB (VMPS)

I will e-mail you some ideas

[doug s.]

John,

Just what I would need if I decide to sell my REL subs and go full VMPS.

Send me a PM with costs please.

GW

gw, i'm sure john will treat ya right!     as a reference point, when i got my larger subs, (~'96), i awreddy owned my original adcom gfa555.  the total cost to me, which included the original adcom, a second used matching adcom, the two larger subs, a marchand x-over, was ~$2k.  i had 'em fully optioned, w/soundcoat & upgrade internal wire.  (megawoofers weren't out yet; i upgraded to megawoofers a coupla years ago, for a few hundred...)  bargain, imo!   i rarely buy brand-new, as i'm too cheap - used & demo/closeout is usually the only way i can afford the quality i want.  in the case of the vmps' & marchand, ya won't find this level of quality for the money, even if buying used, imo...  good luck finding a used pair of vmps subs;  tho now the marchand x-overs are on the used market every once in awhile...

doug s.

[zybar]

Doug,

I know John will take care of me, I just bought my 40's and power conditioner from him.  

I am still tying to decide what I am going to do on the sub front.  I currently have a pair of REL Strata subs that I was using with my Silverline Sonata II's and for HT.  The REL's are nice because you could have the HT connected via rca cable and the 2 channel connected to the main amps via speaker connections.

Part of my decision will depend on whether I like the way my Kora Cosmos Reference mono blocs sound full range on the 40's.  

Should be an exciting next few months.

GW

[doug s.]

Doug,

I know John will take care of me, I just bought my 40's and power conditioner from him.  

I am still tying to decide what I am going to do on the sub front.  I currently have a pair of REL Strata subs that I was using with my Silverline Sonata II's and for HT.  The REL's are nice because you could have the HT connected via rca cable and the 2 channel connected to the main amps via speaker connections.

Part of my decision will depend on whether I like the way my Kora Cosmos Reference mono blocs sound full range on the 40's.  

Should be an exciting next few months.

GW

i heard a rel strata & was completely underwhelmed, no offense... except for use in a small secondary system, i'd rather go w/o subs than use those...  i tink the rels perform best when crossed over really low, & not running the monitors thru the rels' circuitry.  

one of the main adwantages for subwoofin', imo, is the ability to cross over the monitors, so they don't have to do that last octave or so.  a quality (marchand?) outboard x-over is needed to effectively cross over your monitors, & the rels don't have this capability, imo...  perhaps keep the rels for the h-t loop, & use the vmps for the main two channel!  

doug s.