ADS L1290 Speakers

[Cspiegs]

Hello all and happy Memorial Day weekend. I recently made a couple changes to my audio system. I was using a Yamaha DSP A1 integrated amp (about 120 watts per channel) with a set of Wharfedale Rubiance RB-27 floor standing speakers (both about 20 years old). I recently acquired a pair of ADS L1290 speakers and a Sansui B-2101 power amp at 200 watts per channel (with 600 watt). I am keeping the Yamaha in line for its preamp (at least for the time being). I also will continue to use a 15" Mirage FRX-S15 powered downfiring subwoofer.

Which is a better option? The Yamaha has a setting to push everything below 70 Hertz just to the subwoofer. Would it be better to engage that or have the full signal range go to the L1290's with the subwoofer in play?

Also, what's the best toe-in for these speakers?

I am really loving this upgrade!

Thanks

 

[GD70]

Congrats on the 1290’s! ADSs are great speakers. I would try them without the sub. There should be plenty of bass on their own. Positioning will be your call. Try to have at least 6 feet of separation, toe in will be based on your listening position, room environment, etc....
We love pics so post some when you get the chance.
Cheers, Glenn

 

[goodolpg]

Experiment with toe in.
Minor changes can make huge differences.
One of the best free tweaks there is.

 

[Orthodynamic]

I have my ADS L1230 (similar drivers to your ADS L1290, but different enclosure) paired with an MS3/u sub. I've found I like this combo best when I let the sub handle just the lowest notes. I've set the low-pass crossover on the subwoofer at about 50 Hz and the high-pass filter at 60 Hz. Plus, I've dialled the output of the sub way back. I've found that the sound of the towers is really nicely integrated, so trying to get the subwoofer to shoulder more of the low-end load from the woofers just added more bloat and less texture. So I let the sub handle only the notes that the woofer can't.

 

[Blue Shadow]

The removal of the bass from the 1290 will give the amp a break but at 200 wpc it doesn't need it.
With the sub, you need to understand the internal crossover, adjustments and how that plays with the 1290 and if you understand the tech talk good, if not you need to play around to find the best. The Sub will bring bottom end to the show as it goes to 18Hz and the 1290s go to about 40hz.

Technically the Sub does a high pass (signal to the 1290) from 85 Hz up using the line in/line out.
The sub can low pass (signal to the sub) from 50 to 100 Hz.
You have level control as well as 40Hz boost/cut on the sub.

I would try the sub out only option to see what happens and adjust the sub to match the speakers. Use vocals, not bass music, you want it to mesh not overpower music to get the bass response.

Then try the line out to the sub and run the 1290 full range with a second pre output to the sub.

Then try the pre out to the sub and the sub's line out to the amp to take the low end out of the 1290s using the sub at 85 instead of the pre taking it out at 70 and see which one you like.

Reading ortho's comments they seem right. Your high pass on the sub line out is not adjustable, 85 so using the preamps 70 might be a better match.

Good Luck. Let us know what is going on so we can keep talking about this.

 

[Yamaki]

For me, large speakers seem to give me the best of sound quality where the audio stream coming from them crosses over just about a foot behind my head.

So my arrangement is slightly toed out.

Congrats on the 1290's! I had a pair of L880 II's for quite a while and thoroughly enjoyed them.

 

[David_NC]

I use my L780/2's with a subwoofer. I've always been impressed with the bass from them, and your L1290's will definitely be better. What I found is that crossing them over around 50Hz seems to give them a bit more clarity at higher volumes... maybe due to the speakers not having to produce all the bass or from the receiver's amps not having to handle it all. I found that a lower crossover point was better than the 80Hz I started with. As long as as the sub is at least as good as the main speakers, I don't see why not give at setup an extended listen.