What's the better upgrade?

[jfray]

Originally Posted by GaryProtein

If a crossover is what you want, you should get a stand alone crossover like the PassLabs or Bryston. The MEN220 is good for DSP, but is lacking the adjustability of a good crossover. The PassLabs is the Rolls Royce. The Bryston is the S-class Mercedes.

Bryston has a model specifically for use with subwoofers--10B-SUB, and it works superbly with subs, offering great adjustability for tuning them into your system. Several AA members use it. The PassLabs XVR1 can be used for anything and is buy far, the most adjustable, much more adjustable than you need for a subwoofer, but is what you need if you want a three-way or more-way active system.

MEN220 has a 2-Way Crossover capability as well as the custom EQ option.....

[GaryProtein]

Originally Posted by jfray

MEN220 has a 2-Way Crossover capability as well as the custom EQ option.....

Yes, but I do not believe the crossover is as adjustable as the Bryston.

The MEN220 might work OK, but you will have to get input from people who use its crossover function with a sub.

PAGING MEN220 owners using the crossover function with subwoofers!!

[jfray]

Originally Posted by GaryProtein

Yes, but I do not believe the crossover is as adjustable as the Bryston.

The MEN220 might work OK, but you will have to get input from people who use its crossover function with a sub.

PAGING MEN220 owners using the crossover function with subwoofers!!

I have used the crossover function with the subwoofer and liked the results.... but am currently using the high level input into the REL G-1 (thus also the REL's crossover). I admit that I am biased.....

[jfray]

I need to read more about the 10B-SUB.....looks interesting Gary.

[GaryProtein]

Originally Posted by jfray

I have used the crossover function with the subwoofer and liked the results.... but am currently using the high level input into the REL G-1 (thus also the REL's crossover). I admit that I am biased.....

Doing that partially "tunes in" your sub, but it does not "tune out" your main speakers or relieve your power amp of the extreme low frequencies either. You will also still have overlap between the sub and mains.

The separate active crossover enables you to (forgive my analogy) convert a three way main speaker into a four-way system WITH the sub, instead of having a three way main speaker AND a separate sub. The crossover enables more seamless integration of the sub, instead of merely an addition of a sub. (I hope my analogy was OK)



BTW, the photo you posted is of the 10B-STD. It looks exactly like the 10B-SUB, but I can read the frequency crossover choices, and what I see are the ones on the 10B-STD. The 10B-SUB has more finely divided and lower frequency choices. Bryston may be using the same photo for each piece on their website.

[jpgr4blu]

If you want to change the sound quite a bit, open it up with greater transparency quickness and slam (but perhaps less color)--switch from Lamms to Dags. If you want the same sound as you have only with greater height, width and slam--move to the Maxx 3. IMHO Maxx 3 exceeds Sasha in most ways, but not all ways. Sashas are seamless---almost like monitors--- a trick which Maxx cannot quite duplicate. In most other ways Maxx are phenomenal.

[Kingsrule]

Originally Posted by new order

in hifi news the october issue 2010 you can read this.

When was maxx 3 released?

2009

[MadFloyd]

I tried the Bryston and it totally sucked the life out of the sound, not at all transparent IMO.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by MadFloyd

Interesting. How does the Thor improve midrange and treble? How do you integrate a sub without inserting a crossover of sorts (which in my experience degrades the sound a lot)? And if you don't use a crossover you're doubling up the low frequencies...

I completely agree with Gary. I have never done anything to my system that improved the sound more than adding the Thor/Watch Controller. To say that I was amazed is an understatement. I run a HP/LP configuration with my MAXXes. I was going to run everything full range but I said to myself, what the heck, I'll try the active configuration just because I can. When I heard the sound I never looked back. This is just my own personal experience.

Let me also say that Sasha's and MAXXes are ideal for Thors. The bass quality matches/blends perfectly. If anything, Thor bass is quicker and better than Sasha/MAXX bass.

I say again if I had to choose between a Sasha/Thor/Watch Controller combo vs. a MAXX3, I'd choose the former hands down, no contest. Let me also say that as far as pieces of equipment go, the Wilson Watch Controller is the best piece of electronics as far as transparency is concerned that I have ever had in my system. There are certain secrets for remarkable improvements in sound that folks are either unaware of or simply don't believe. The Thor/Wilson Watch Controller is one of them. I just lucked into my present system. The sub came available at an unbelievable price and so did the Controller.

Let me say again, in all my years in audio I have never seen such a piece of equipment as the Thor subwoofer, and in addition the Watch Controller.

[jfrech]

Originally Posted by Charles

I completely agree with Gary. I have never done anything to my system that improved the sound more than adding the Thor/Watch Controller. To say that I was amazed is an understatement. I run a HP/LP configuration with my MAXXes. I was going to run everything full range but I said to myself, what the heck, I'll try the active configuration just because I can. When I heard the sound I never looked back. This is just my own personal experience.

Let me also say that Sasha's and MAXXes are ideal for Thors. The bass quality matches/blends perfectly. If anything, Thor bass is quicker and better than Sasha/MAXX bass.

I say again if I had to choose between a Sasha/Thor/Watch Controller combo vs. a MAXX3, I'd choose the former hands down, no contest. Let me also say that as far as pieces of equipment go, the Wilson Watch Controller is the best piece of electronics as far as transparency is concerned that I have ever had in my system. There are certain secrets for remarkable improvements in sound that folks are either unaware of or simply don't believe. The Thor/Wilson Watch Controller is one of them. I just lucked into my present system. The sub came available at an unbelievable price and so did the Controller.

Let me say again, in all my years in audio I have never seen such a piece of equipment as the Thor subwoofer, and in addition the Watch Controller.

wow, you guys really have me wondering here...I have maxx 3's...was maybe thinking I could trying and step up to Alexandria's (or Rockports) next year....but adding a thor/watch controller...I hadn't even considered...