Connecting a subwoofer to older receiver

[chip18sw]

Hey!! I got everything (sub + 16g speaker wire), read over your instructions numerous times. Can you please clarify the actual bose speakers connection? Am I taking both speaker wires from each speaker, removing from receiver and plugging them straight into polk sub? And then am in using rca cable to go from line in on polk sub to pre out on receiver? Really appreciate your help!

LOl well if your using a "Vintage Receiver??" Your issue is cuz ... there is no place for an RCA hook Up!

So ... you're not confused! Forget the rca's you don't need them! Your gonna use the "High level/Speaker Inputs!" WIre the Sub to the Speakers and wire the amp to the sub! The sub sees the same signal the speakers see and it splits the signal.

An AVR using the sub out using a 80 hz crossover point. If you run small speakers, that's fine but if you run larger mains, they can low runner but they won't if you use a sub out. I run all my subs powered and passive thru the "High level" inputs ... works out fine.

My LX 5's can reproduce a 16 hz organ note ... so yeah.

 

[Jeff Kaiser]

LOl well if your using a "Vintage Receiver??" Your issue is cuz ... there is no place for an RCA hook Up!

So ... you're not confused! Forget the rca's you don't need them! Your gonna use the "High level/Speaker Inputs!" WIre the Sub to the Speakers and wire the amp to the sub! The sub sees the same signal the speakers see and it splits the signal.

An AVR using the sub out using a 80 hz crossover point. If you run small speakers, that's fine but if you run larger mains, they can low runner but they won't if you use a sub out. I run all my subs powered and passive thru the "High level" inputs ... works out fine.

My LX 5's can reproduce a 16 hz organ note ... so yeah.

Following those exact steps right now. Hoping that works! Don't go to sleep yet!! LoL

I'll be testing within the next 10min.

 

[chip18sw]

Following those exact steps right now. Hoping that works! Don't go to sleep yet!! LoL

I'll be testing within the next 10min.

LOL standing by! And the "volume Level" is subject to easy abuse!

The crossover point. see how low your main speakers go and set the crossover point for the sub 10 points higher. The phase control thingie if it's variable ... I have no idea?? I've not found it to do anything myself ... I don't know what's up with that?? But ideally, if you set the sub up right, you only know it's there ... when you turn it off!

 

[Jeff Kaiser]

LOL standing by! And the "volume Level" is subject to easy abuse!

The crossover point. see how low your main speakers go and set the crossover point for the sub 10 points higher. The phase control thingie if it's variable ... I have no idea?? I've not found it to do anything myself ... I don't know what's up with that?? But ideally, if you set the sub up right, you only know it's there ... when you turn it off!

I know I'm a big pain the ass, but this driving me nuts. I know it's gotta be hooked up right but right speaker sounds very muffled.

Can you text me your number and perhaps I can give you a call. I think I'd be much more efficent and be able to pinpoint where everything is set to see where problem lies.

 

[chip18sw]

I know I'm a big pain the ass, but this driving me nuts. I know it's gotta be hooked up right but right speaker sounds very muffled.

Can you text me your number and perhaps I can give you a call? 410-253-4569. I think I'd be much more efficent and be able to pinpoint where everything is set to see where problem lies.

Internet/forum protocol is not to put your phone number out here!

OK, Update we got it done!

 

[Jeff Kaiser]

LOL standing by! And the "volume Level" is subject to easy abuse!

The crossover point. see how low your main speakers go and set the crossover point for the sub 10 points higher. The phase control thingie if it's variable ... I have no idea?? I've not found it to do anything myself ... I don't know what's up with that?? But ideally, if you set the sub up right, you only know it's there ... when you turn it off!

Thanks again Chip!! You're awesome!! I appreciate all of your help and patience!! Sub sounds fantastic!! Issue Resolved!!

 

[b1lk1]

You don't use the line in (low impedence) connection when using the high impedence connection.

 

[cunningr]

Hey!! I got everything (sub + 16g speaker wire), read over your instructions numerous times. Can you please clarify the actual bose speakers connection? Am I taking both speaker wires from each speaker, removing from receiver and plugging them straight into polk sub? And then am in using rca cable to go from line in on polk sub to pre out on receiver? Really appreciate your help!

I dont think you can run it like that, that will take your amp out if the loop.

If its got speaker level input you would connect from amp to the speaker level inputs, then from the speaker out to your main speakers. Not seeing a wiring diagram cant confirm. But basically that should maintain your amp for the mains, the internal crossover will control cross over, and shoukd lower input to levels that the sub amp can use for sub. But let some of these experts chim in, I dont want to steer you wrong. I am still getting back into the game. Lol

 

[chip18sw]

Hey!! I got everything (sub + 16g speaker wire), read over your instructions numerous times. Can you please clarify the actual bose speakers connection? Am I taking both speaker wires from each speaker, removing from receiver and plugging them straight into polk sub? And then am in using rca cable to go from line in on polk sub to pre out on receiver? Really appreciate your help!

The sub out, RCA cable(S) would be for the sub input on an AVR.

All you care about are the high level inputs (Speaker Wires.) AVR's have a LFE channel that crosses LOW frequencies over at 80 hz. And it by passes the crossover built into the sub. Higher end AVR have an adjustable crossover that you can set lower. But for the most part ... 80 hz is what they do. It simplifies hook up, you just run the rca cable to the sub and job done. But you don't the RCA cables if you use the high level inputs and they kept the subs crossover in the loop. The sub sees the same signal the speakers see and if any are at the cross over point, they go to the sub. Sometimes simple works.

 

[chip18sw]

I dont think you can run it like that, that will take your amp out if the loop.

If its got speaker level input you would connect from amp to the speaker level inputs, then from the speaker out to your main speakers. Not seeing a wiring diagram cant confirm. But basically that should maintain your amp for the mains, the internal crossover will control cross over, and shoukd lower input to levels that the sub amp can use for sub. But let some of these experts chim in, I dont want to steer you wrong. I am still getting back into the game. Lol

Only a slight addition, the main amp continues to handle all frequencies "above" the crossover point.

And I'm no expert either but failing that I don't blow stuff up ... well as long as no tubes and a screw driver are not involved, my bad.

 

[JoeESP9]

The sub in, RCA cable(S) would be for the sub output on an AVR.

Fixed that for you.

 

[chip18sw]

Fixed that for you.

LOL ... see I said I was not an expert!

 

[ultumax]

Well, if the Polk isn't to your liking my recommendation would be Dayton Audio from Parts Express, the 12" Sub 1200 is $148, they have others. Great customer service second to none, even if not needing another sub check them out, they have all kinds of accessories.

Yeah that is a solid model I have a old klh 10” from 2000 looks like the blueprint for the Dayton subs today, not enough spl for my tastes . But great for budget

 

[ultumax]

LOl well if your using a "Vintage Receiver??" Your issue is cuz ... there is no place for an RCA hook Up!

So ... you're not confused! Forget the rca's you don't need them! Your gonna use the "High level/Speaker Inputs!" WIre the Sub to the Speakers and wire the amp to the sub! The sub sees the same signal the speakers see and it splits the signal.

An AVR using the sub out using a 80 hz crossover point. If you run small speakers, that's fine but if you run larger mains, they can low runner but they won't if you use a sub out. I run all my subs powered and passive thru the "High level" inputs ... works out fine.

My LX 5's can reproduce a 16 hz organ note ... so yeah.

I have a vintage amp I cannot use Dolby Digital or the sub output because Sony built and programmed digital to only work on elusive rare 5.1 ch input haha .
No optical or coaxial .... dumb Sony

 

[Grenadeslio]

Yeah that is a solid model I have a old klh 10” from 2000 looks like the blueprint for the Dayton subs today, not enough spl for my tastes . But great for budget

At the price get 2 lol. They make great speaker stands along with adding 25hz capability.

Plenty of db's assisting a set of Heresys lol. This was during a session listening to The Doors, it's been considerably louder. If you look close, 111db average with 115db peaks.

 

[ultumax]

At the price get 2 lol. They make great speaker stands along with adding 25hz capability.

Well 25 hertz is really good . I’m not sure how low my Si ht 15” goes , but it’s incredible.
Dayton titanic looks like one I may buy someday too. It’s a lighter sub similar to mine .
Or ultimax that sub looks good for music / movies.
Unsure if other brands of pre built subs like svs are better but svs ultra way too pricey for me !!!
How do you measure decibels with accuracy’s? Heresy are hugeness I’m suprized they neeed a sub . Hope someday I can afford a pair . I want the 24” version of my sub.

 

[Grenadeslio]

Well 25 hertz is really good . I’m not sure how low my Si ht 15” goes , but it’s incredible.
Dayton titanic looks like one I may buy someday too. It’s a lighter sub similar to mine .
Or ultimax that sub looks good for music / movies.
Unsure if other brands of pre built subs like svs are better but svs ultra way too pricey for me !!!

Edited my previous post for additional content.