Should the MJ Pro 50 (mk1) be used with the high level input for music?
I just got a used one and the bass sounds really muddy and distorts with not much input and there's not attack or definition. I've read here that for a stereo music system the high level input should be used. MJ said there's no difference but something doesn't sound right with the sub if the reviews are anything to go by! I've tried mono and stereo rca cables from the preamp out and record out of my amp.
Cheers.
I wouldn't use the record out as it's probably a fixed-level output meaning the volume of the sub won't go up and down with the volume of the amp. High level would be better for music if you can try it but your description of the sound gives the impression there's something wrong with the sub and I doubt switching to the high level input would make any difference to that.
Mine is MJ Pro MKII look like this http://www.mjacoustics.co.uk/MJ_Acoustics/Product_html/PRO_50_MKII.htm
I am using the high level input and the bass is very tight and solid for stereo 2 channel hifi listening.
Just try the two inputs yourself and see if there is a difference. May be the problem is with the MKI version but I don't have an answer 
I wouldn't use the record out as it's probably a fixed-level output meaning the volume of the sub won't go up and down with the volume of the amp. High level would be better for music if you can try it but your description of the sound gives the impression there's something wrong with the sub and I doubt switching to the high level input would make any difference to that.
No that was a mistake, i was advised to use that but i switched back to the preamp out and set the crossover a bit higher and lowered the volume and i'm starting to find the right balance. I'm using a cheap rca cable and apparently i need to spend £20-30 on a decent subwoofer cable so i'll get the speakon then i can set it up for music and movies.
Mine is MJ Pro MKII look like this http://www.mjacoustics.co.uk/MJ_Acoustics/Product_html/PRO_50_MKII.htm
I am using the high level input and the bass is very tight and solid for stereo 2 channel hifi listening.
Just try the two inputs yourself and see if there is a difference. May be the problem is with the MKI version but I don't have an answer
I'll order a speakon cable next week anyway so i can use both inputs but i want to get the best possible sound out of the sub and the high level is for stereo amp which is what i'm using so hopefully that is the issue but if anyone with the Pro50 can say for sure that would be great.
Cheers!
Can anyone with a mk1 tell me if it should be capable of decent levels. Mine is not and that's the problem. It can't keep up with the Dalis and it sounds good when everything is playing but on it's own it just don't sound right and the driver seems to distort with low frequency stuff like dubstep at what i would consider low levels, i'm not driving it hard at all. 
I know it's an old sub but i thought it would have a bit more clout.
Can anyone with a mk1 tell me if it should be capable of decent levels. Mine is not and that's the problem. It can't keep up with the Dalis and it sounds good when everything is playing but on it's own it just don't sound right and the driver seems to distort with low frequency stuff like dubstep at what i would consider low levels, i'm not driving it hard at all.
I know it's an old sub but i thought it would have a bit more clout.
I have your sub in Ruark Vita 50 form (same as far as I know other than looks) and use the speakon connection. Used it with numerous different system and never encountered problems. Clean and fast though its probably not the sub I'd choose to shake foundations but then, I'm not into that.
regards
Thanks. Would you mind listening to a sample if i upload one? Mine just sounds very dull on it's own but with the Dalis it sounds like the bass is projecting from the speakers and it sounds good so i'm well confused. I expected clean accurate sub bass and that's not what i'm hearing from the sub itself but you might be able to tell whether it's knackered or i need to get the speakon cable. 
Btw i don't want floor shaking bass, just clean accurate low end. The distortion i think is just the driver struggling with the lower frequencies as it improved when i cut the bass with some eq.
Thanks. Would you mind listening to a sample if i upload one? Mine just sounds very dull on it's own but with the Dalis it sounds like the bass is projecting from the speakers and it sounds good so i'm well confused. I expected clean accurate sub bass and that's not what i'm hearing but you might be able to tell whether i've got a dodgy sub or need to get the speakon cable.
Not sure I understand what you mean but a sub is not meant to be listened to on its own. It should just very subtly underpin what is already there and not be audible as a separate entity, for music anyway. Its probably more a question of what you're missing (if anything) when it (sub) is not in the system than an immediate 'wow' when it is. These are also low powered with a small cone and enclosure, 'sub bass' is not on the menu but the Pro 50 is fast with little overhang. Like I said, I've used it with different systems, actives including and never found it wanting.
I have a feeling you may need something bigger and beefier.
I may be wrong but I think frOg used to have one of these too. Perhaps he will churn in.
regards
I have a feeling you may need something bigger and beefier.
I may be wrong but I think frOg used to have one of these too. Perhaps he will churn in.
regards
I bought the sub not really knowing what role it would fulfill or how well it would integrate but the seller told me it was loud at low level so i was expecting something a bit more impressive so i started listening to the sub in isolation and found that with slight volume or crossover increases the lowest frequencies would distort. It does sound good but i think i'm expecting a bit too much out of it. I'll get the high level cable anyway then i can set to level for audio as i'm constantly adjusting it and see how it sounds for music.
So do you run it a low low volume? I have it about halfway with the crossover someway between 40 and 90hz depending on what i'm listening to. I'm not expecting chest thumping bass just a nice linear low end response. I went for a small sub cause of neighbours but i probably should have gone for a bigger enclosure. Next time! >)
It's just amazing how quiet the sub is on it's own in relation to my bookshelfs. The Dalis can go quite loud without any distortion or room issues, i guess i've just got to find the balance. Of course if i keep the volume low on the sub i'll have more headroom. It's my first hifi sub so i'm putting it down to rookie mistakes. 
Teejuk, I dont know what the frequency roll-off of your speakers is but lets assume it is around 60 - 80hz, fairly normal for standard sized stand mounted ones. - Therefore try and set your sub at around the same frequency.
Subwoofer volume ... try and start with very little while your hifi is playing. Turn the sub off and listen out for something missing ... usually some scale and solidity to the sound. If not, turn up a little more, repeat the switching off and so on until you find that your system sounds better with than without it. You should not be able to pinpoint the subwoofer as a source.
If you can't find a satisfactory setting or miss 'slam' then you may simply want another product.
As for subwoofer cables, as mentioned by yourself earlier in the thread, there is no great magic involved in either speakon connection or the cable itself. - I can't remember how much I paid for mine but it wasn't 30 quid. Try ebay.
regards
Hallo!
What dm says.
Basically you cannot expect the Pro 50 mk1 to shake the walls. At reasonable levels it goes very low (30Hz), but you can't expect an 8" cone to make your chest squirm.
Don't ever try to guage its level by listening to it alone...Low bass is not as "loud" to the human ear as frequencies in the mid-range.
All the sub should be doing (with music) is giving extra body to the sound.
Also. Put the sub where you sit. Then put the music on...Now walk around the room and see where the bass is deepest...that's where you should put it if possible.
Also, depending on the amp you may need to alter the phase. Usually either 0 or 180 is best, but I have found 90 to be perfect too...depends on amplifier.
Level...For me, never more than 50-60%.
I used both high and low level and found it similar. Best IMO is to use an AV amp with sub connector, set speakers to small and let the AV amp split the signal. This makes the overall sound cleaner.
By the way, I still use mine in my AV system, and it does a pretty good job considering the room size. But again, you aint gonna get REFERENCE levels.
Teejuk, I dont know what the frequency roll-off of your speakers is but lets assume it is around 60 - 80hz, fairly normal for standard sized stand mounted ones. - Therefore try and set your sub at around the same frequency.
Subwoofer volume ... try and start with very little while your hifi is playing. Turn the sub off and listen out for something missing ... usually some scale and solidity to the sound. If not, turn up a little more, repeat the switching off and so on until you find that your system sounds better with than without it. You should not be able to pinpoint the subwoofer as a source.
If you can't find a satisfactory setting or miss 'slam' then you may simply want another product.
As for subwoofer cables, as mentioned by yourself earlier in the thread, there is no great magic involved in either speakon connection or the cable itself. - I can't remember how much I paid for mine but it wasn't 30 quid. Try ebay.
regards
It's about 60hz but i don't know exactly where that is on the Pro 50 (question for fr0g 
) so i'm using my ears. It seems to have been as simple as having the level too high on the sub, i backed it off a few db and now i have more headroom.
Mid volume for AV use is good but lower for audio so i'll have to get the high level cable then i can try it out anyway which i guess is the good thing with having two inputs. I didn't want slam, just an accurate response and good extension but i just wanted to determine that there wasn't a fault or the sub was anemic before getting into all the setup and measuring stuff plus i'll be getting spikes/feet and probably some sort of isolation platform.
Anyway, thanks a lot for your help drummerman! 
Hallo!
What dm says.
Basically you cannot expect the Pro 50 mk1 to shake the walls. At reasonable levels it goes very low (30Hz), but you can't expect an 8" cone to make your chest squirm.
Don't ever try to guage its level by listening to it alone...Low bass is not as "loud" to the human ear as frequencies in the mid-range.
All the sub should be doing (with music) is giving extra body to the sound.
Also. Put the sub where you sit. Then put the music on...Now walk around the room and see where the bass is deepest...that's where you should put it if possible.
Also, depending on the amp you may need to alter the phase. Usually either 0 or 180 is best, but I have found 90 to be perfect too...depends on amplifier.
Level...For me, never more than 50-60%.
I used both high and low level and found it similar. Best IMO is to use an AV amp with sub connector, set speakers to small and let the AV amp split the signal. This makes the overall sound cleaner.
By the way, I still use mine in my AV system, and it does a pretty good job considering the room size. But again, you aint gonna get REFERENCE levels.
Yes i think i'm finding the sweetspot now. I don't know where the frequencies are on the sub as there are no incremental markings so i've used my ears, think it's around 60hz where the Dalis roll off, how do you work out the frequecy points on the sub? Volume very low, about 30-40% on the sub and now i have extra headroom to turn it up without overloading the woofer. I was playing some dubstep yesterday with Arc 2 and the full range bass correction enabled and i was getting some pretty deep bass at decent levels so it's got some depth if i need it. It's funny you mention 30hz cause i found putting a eq cut around there prevents the the distortion. Also phase at 90 seems to be spot on. The bass aint trouserflapping but it's pretty good considering the size of my room.
@drummerman, i've seen the speakon cable for around £18.99 which aint too bad but what i'm hearing now is much more in line with what i was hoping to attain by adding a sub! The level is a factor though, although i couldn't hear the sub at mid volume it was too loud to allow for much input before overloading and this was while setting up so i thought there was something wrong.
I hope this will help anyone setting up a sub, keep the subs level low if your running into issues, i think midway is a bit too high but perhaps it's different for larger subs? And back off the volume relative to your main output. Regarding cables, what's the minimum amount i should spend? I bought a 10m Fisual cable just for setting up but what i'm hearing sounds pretty good, could it be improved with a y cable?
Anyway thanks again guys for responding. I think i'm cooking with bass now. 
Anyone?