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Adding a Subwoofer to Analog set-up.

ClayTune

ClayTune

Well-Known Member
I have not added a Subwoofer to my Analog set up with my Yamaha Natural sound receiver yet. However, I am highly considering it based on some recommendations here.

What I am wondering is, if I were to use it with my 'vintage' Yamaha natural sound receiver, does the peak wattage output of the subwoofer need to match that of the receiver?

Ignorant question perhaps, but got to start somewhere.

Thanks.
 
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ClayTune said:
What I am wondering is, if I were to use it with my 'vintage' Yamaha natural sound receiver, does the peak wattage output of the subwoofer need to match that of the receiver?
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Not at all, the receiver and powered sub(s) have volume/level controls so you can match the main speakers and the sub.
 
More important to match the sub's output to the speaker used. Most amplified subs will have controls to match the sound levels to your primary amps. If you're using a plate amp, there's a bit more homework involved to make that happen.

You planning to use line or speaker level outputs to feed the sub? Line level tends to be a bit less finicky.
 
I have a Yamaha CR-2020 that I have used with a sub. Now the 2020 does not have a sub output so I went back to the late 90's when HT was just starting up and got myself an active sub (OK two of them... I used DefTech towers, BP 2002 to be exact)

The beauty of these towers is you can just jam in the speaker wires and the tower does all the work for you with the exception of setting the output level of the subs. For this you need an SPL meter set to "C" weighting and "slow." Preferably a 90's vintage analog meter. Then you use your favorite setup CD to make sure the sub level isn't way overpowering the speakers. I tried to do it by ear, and apparently I'm not a 53 year old asshole...I'm a 17 year old asshole because after setting the levels by ear, and then measuring I was WAY over the level of the regular speakers. Use a meter folks.

Anyway, while I am a DefTech fanboy (at least of the old DefTech products) this can also be done with any speaker by incorporating one (or two or three or 27) active subs with an integrated crossover if you are running vintage speakers. Right now, my CR-2020 is hooked up to a pair of NS-690ii speakers and while they are no slouches, sometimes I want a little more "17 year old asshole" sound and I think I may incorporate a sub into the mix soon. Your vintage speakers may thank you for making their lives easier by removing the 20 to 120 Hz reproduction demands from them. I'm curious to see what happens with mine.

Choosing a sub is one of the deepest rabbit holes there is... so go here, https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explor...xploring-different-types-of-active-subwoofers and get ready to play out your own version of Watership Down.
 
sKiZo said:
More important to match the sub's output to the speaker used. Most amplified subs will have controls to match the sound levels to your primary amps. If you're using a plate amp, there's a bit more homework involved to make that happen.

You planning to use line or speaker level outputs to feed the sub? Line level tends to be a bit less finicky.
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So my Yamaha natural sound receiver requires the usage of A/B speaker channels to plug in a subwoofer. Does that make sense?
 
Some powered subwoofers offer the option of speaker-level connections. You will need this option unless your Yamaha receiver has line out (preamp out) capabilities...in which case you can use this capability to send the signal to the subwoofer's line level connections.

If you use speaker-level connections, you can either double up the wires on the A terminals or use the A terminals for your main speakers and the B terminals for the subwoofer. I prefer the latter, as it allows you to easily activate/deactivate the sub...very handy when setting up the sub and getting it balanced with the mains.

The only time you would not want to do this is if your receiver places the A and B terminals in series (sometimes done on low end receivers to protect their weak power supplies).

There is much debate and discussion about whether line level or speaker level connections are better. Don't get bogged down into this issue...both work just fine.

A powered subwoofer will have its own volume control. You set it (and the subwoofer's low pass crossover) to balance nicely with your main speakers, and then leave it alone. Master control of volume (that is, of the main speakrs and the sub) will be via the volume control on your receiver.

My set-up advice, for what its worth (probably not much) is that if you hear the subwoofer distinctly, it is too loud. Ideally, you should only notice the subwoofer when it is missing.

Note: A powered subwoofer (one with its own amplifier built-in) will present a very high impedance to your receiver...therefore, no worries about its impact. The receiver will barely know the subwoofer is there. While there are still passive subwoofers being made, they are not for use with a receiver.
 
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MannyE said:
No. What is the model number?
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yamaha rx 496

It also has pure direct. Which of course can be turned off.

But no specific Subwoofer input/output. I would just use one of the speaker channels and put both A/B on at the same time to get the sub sound. The other question I have is, I wonder if Pure direct would "defeat" the sub.
 
Its a modern receiver compared to mine, but the output seems to be the same... you have a choice of running speakers A, speakers B or both speakers A and B. Unless I missed something, if you have two speakers and want to add a sub, you just need to use Speaker terminals A. You go from your receiver to the speaker-level inputs of a sub, (spark is right...they sound just fine, don't worry about line-level, just use speaker level) then you go from your sub to the speakers. Done. Easy.
 
spark1 said:
If you use speaker-level connections, you can either double up the wires on the A terminals or use the A terminals for your main speakers and the B terminals for the subwoofer. I prefer the latter, as it allows you to easily activate/deactivate the sub...very handy when setting up the sub and getting it balanced with the mains.
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This is exactly what my research has concluded to. Because it doesn't have a Sub woofer out connection only A and B speakers.

So am I correct in assuming that, if I am using A output for speakers L and R I would use B output from the receiver and into the Hi level line IN on the subwoofer?

spark1 said:
The only time you would not want to do this is if your receiver places the A and B terminals in series (sometimes done on low end receivers to protect their weak power supplies).
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Sorry not sure what is meant by series. I know that my Yamaha RX 496 has the ability to turn A and B on at the same time.

This begs the question, I listen to a lot of records using the receivers "Pure Direct" feature, would that cancel out the sub if it's coming from B output? I don't think Pure direct Cancels out A and B only allowing the use of one but never tried it.
 
It would not. It bypasses the tone controls only.

Your receiver does not have a preamp-out capability...so you will need a subwoofer with speaker level connections.

BTW, the speaker terminals on your unit are wired in parallel.
 
MannyE said:
Its a modern receiver compared to mine, but the output seems to be the same... you have a choice of running speakers A, speakers B or both speakers A and B. Unless I missed something, if you have two speakers and want to add a sub, you just need to use Speaker terminals A. You go from your receiver to the speaker-level inputs of a sub, (spark is right...they sound just fine, don't worry about line-level, just use speaker level) then you go from your sub to the speakers. Done. Easy.
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Please see my reply to Spark, which I was actually constructing right as you were replying, I believe I used a more convoluted description but essentially said the same thing as you?
 
spark1 said:
It would not. It bypasses the tone controls only.

Your receiver does not have a preamp-out capability...so you will need a subwoofer with speaker level connections.

BTW, the speaker terminals on your unit are wired in parallel.
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That's different from being wired in Series, aye?
 
spark1 said:
It would not. It bypasses the tone controls only.

Your receiver does not have a preamp-out capability...so you will need a subwoofer with speaker level connections.

BTW, the speaker terminals on your unit are wired in parallel.
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It appears the Polk Audio PSW10 has the ability of speaker level connection.
 
ClayTune said:
Please see my reply to Spark, which I was actually constructing right as you were replying, I believe I used a more convoluted description but essentially said the same thing as you?
Click to expand...

I think so. He doesn't have to worry about the "B" connection. A speaker level sub works even if a receiver only has one set of speaker outputs. So all he has to do is imagine the A is all he has.
 
ClayTune said:
This is exactly what my research has concluded to. Because it doesn't have a Sub woofer out connection only A and B speakers.

So am I correct in assuming that, if I am using A output for speakers L and R I would use B output from the receiver and into the Hi level line IN on the subwoofer?


Sorry not sure what is meant by series. I know that my Yamaha RX 496 has the ability to turn A and B on at the same time.

This begs the question, I listen to a lot of records using the receivers "Pure Direct" feature, would that cancel out the sub if it's coming from B output? I don't think Pure direct Cancels out A and B only allowing the use of one but never tried it.
Click to expand...

Pure direct will have no impact on subwoofer.

Some subwoofers with speaker level IN connections also have speaker level OUT connections. In this case, you can connect only the subwoofer to the A terminals, and then connect your main speakers to the subwoofer's speaker-level OUT connections. They are there as a convenience.

As I mentioned earlier, I prefer to run the mains on A and the sub on B (and not use the speaker out connections of the subwoofer). But doing it that way is fine too.
 
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