Nait XS3 with subwoofer

Hi all.

Very happy Naim Nait XS3 user here. Been considering adding a subwoofer to my system for a while (probably a fairly compact SVS SB1000 Pro), and have been hesitating a bit having read this thread from 4 years ago: XS3 Sub out low volume.

The discussion on there never really got to a conclusion so unsure if the poster resolved their issue.

Anyway before taking the plunge I’ve contacted Naim tech support to see what they reckon, but thought I’d ask here in case any others had seem similar issues (or indeed no issues) since that post was written.

(And as an aside, anyone using this sub, I’d be interested on your thoughts on it).

Cheers

Graeme

Hello Graeme,
Why don’t you try the hi-level input? REL has one, for instance, and they recommend it above the low-level one. (I think in SVS SB1000 Pro, it’s called “speaker level input”, worth checking the manual, though). So, you don’t need the sub out at all. Sadly, you cannot connect to the speaker terminals of your Naim amplifier due to their design, but you can connect your sub from the terminals of your speakers (this is what I did with my REL).
If your sub is for music, maybe it’s worth going for a bit more expensive sub than SB1000 Pro. - UPD: I take this back :); confused “Pro” with SVS SB1000; money-wise, SVS SB1000 Pro seems like a logical match to XS3.

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You can connect a REL to the Naim’s speaker terminals if you use the Naim version of REL’s Bassline Blue subwoofer cable. There are cheaper equivalents out there too.

Stackable plugs? Yes, it’s the only way. I just don’t want to buy another cable.

Thanks everyone for the replies. Connecting the sub via the speaker outputs rather than the Sub out sounds like the way to go. Thanks very much again, cheers.

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I have an XS3 which I combine with four active subwoofers, 2 per side. I connect them using high level from the speaker terminals - this only really works if you invest in two subwoofers, one for each stereo channel. Otherwise you should connect at the amplifier. How this is done will depend on the design of the subwoofer plate amplifier.

I use BK subwoofers and they use the same principle as REL - three wires at one end and a Neutrik connector at the plate amplifier. I only use two wires (as advised by Tom at BK) and tape off the third as otherwise the gain would be too high.

I have no experience of the SVS subwoofers so can’t comment. My only observation is that I personally prefer smaller, sealed subwoofers to larger ported models for music - YMMV.

I would however state that having two or more subwoofers is preferable if you can do this - located in different places they help even out room modes etc giving you a smoother bass response throughout the room. There is a whole load of information on this on the web but from my experience this is certainly true.

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Curious as to why you would say this? It’s pretty standard practice as recommended by Naim and REL to connect a single sub to both speakers.

If it’s possible to do so then great - I assume you would need to split the Neutrik cable so that one of the wires can run to the other speaker? Of course, if a plate amplifier has normal speaker terminals for it’s high level inputs then it is easy to do.

This is how I do high level for one subwoofer for each channel.

And this is how I do high level for two subwoofers for each channel.

I apologise for the poor lighting.

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Yes, you can just use any cheap thin speaker cable for a high level connection. Either solder them to the same plugs that connect the main speakers, or use spades as well as bananas if the speaker sockets accept both.

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Thanks again for the further comments / ideas. I’ve been speaking to Alex at Naim tech support and he’s also suggested their recommendation would be to connect the SVS SB1000 Pro’s high level connections to the main speakers, as opposed to using the sub outs on the XS3. The sub is on order and once it’s all connected up I’ll report back here for the benefit of anyone else searching this thread in the future.

Thanks again to all. Graeme

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Thought I’d update the thread. The SVS SV1000 Pro sub arrived and sounds outstanding, so very happy there. However… I now have a very noticeable ground loop / earth buzz coming from the main speakers and sub all of the time. This is irrespective of whether I connect to the sub via its high level inputs or low level from sub out on the XS3. It’s also independent of whichever source is connected to the amp, indeed with nothing at all plugged into the amp.

I’ve tried the obvious, moving the sub to the same power socket as the amp, triple checking all the cables etc to no avail. This morning I hooked up an old Nad amp in place of the Naim…… issue gone.

The Naim obviously has a three pin power cable, whereas the sub and the Nad are both two pin, so no earth wire there. Not sure if that’s relevant, I’m no electrician. Anyway, one to try to solve…

Cheers Graeme

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Hmmm. I hadn’t realised that your sub was unearthed.
Have you tried reversing the polarity of the mains power? (Pull the power lead out of the socket on the back of the sub, rotate it through 180°, plug it in!) This is a long shot, but apart from any hum problems it’s always worth trying with any reversible 2-pin power connection as they often sound better one way than the other.

Maybe worth contacting SVS for support, just in case they have any suggestions.

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Hi Chris. Yeh I’ve contacted both SVS and Naim support, will see what they say. I’ll also try your suggestion - worth a go! Cheers

(Hopefully) final update for the benefit of any future Naim Nait XS3 owners who connect an SVS SB1000 Pro sub. I finally solved this by temporarily connecting a wire from the outer of one of the low level inputs on the sub to the screw on my wall plug sockets, the theory being that screw is earthed and so that woud earth the sub in the same way as the XS3 is. Buzz instantly gone.

So for a more permanent solution I’ll make up a 3-pin plug with just an earth wire connected, and connect this to the outer of an RCA plug into the sub’s low level input. For the audio connection to the sub I continue to use the high level inputs.

A bit of a hassle but pleased to sort it and hopefully it will benefit others in the future. Thanks for everyone’s help. Cheers, Graeme

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Thankyou; I will give this a go too…

XS3 user, having used a Sunfire Sub via both low and hi level outputs…
some of the buzz that the XS3 gets that no other kit in my house picks up is kinda ‘cool’.
could clearly hear some ‘super low level’ music through my speakers yesterday… (cabling unchanged, and today, ‘gone’

I feel that your solution will prove the perfect one I need… (thankyou)

Hope it works for you! :crossed_fingers:t2: