How do you hook up a vintage dbx Split Spectrum Subwoofer MPA-150 amp to a dbx 15” subwoofer
- Thread starter castleone
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Hello, I’ve posted some pictures of the back of the dbx subwoofer and the dbx Subwoofer speaker 15” floor model and my stereo receiver. I cannot figure out how to hook these together and then to my Marantz floor speakers. I would appreciate anyone’s help as to the proper hookup of this equipment. We i last had it hooked up it sounded marvelous! I also had an EQ hooked into this system and need to learn how to hook the EQ in as well. A heart attack has slowed me down.
Hi there, I’ve posted pictures
I think you need to run the output from the receiver to the input terminal on the sub amp. Then run the direct output to your regular speakers. Then you can run the left and right subwoofer outputs to the left and right of the subwoofer and let it sum the signals. I don't think the amp filters the lows from the mains, unless you have a switch for that on the panel.
Alternatively, you may run the single speaker subwoofer output to the subwoofer and run it to either the left or right input, or "jumper" these, if no common input is noted (doesn't appear to be). May or may not make any difference if the amp or subwoofer cabinet does the summing or need for the jumper.
From the picture of the amp (just saw), I see that you have the same amp unit that I had at one time. These/mine came from DAK, and I believe they were sourced though BSR. Mine eventually developed a noise, and recapping it didn't fix it. It looked like the caps leaked, but may have been glue. I took it to the electroncs junk pick-up day. I may still have the manual.
Alternatively, you may run the single speaker subwoofer output to the subwoofer and run it to either the left or right input, or "jumper" these, if no common input is noted (doesn't appear to be). May or may not make any difference if the amp or subwoofer cabinet does the summing or need for the jumper.
From the picture of the amp (just saw), I see that you have the same amp unit that I had at one time. These/mine came from DAK, and I believe they were sourced though BSR. Mine eventually developed a noise, and recapping it didn't fix it. It looked like the caps leaked, but may have been glue. I took it to the electroncs junk pick-up day. I may still have the manual.
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Hello, thank you for the reply. I will try these suggested connections and see if they work. I have tried several connections without luck thus far. When I had it hooked up before it sounded great so I am doing something wrong. I have 1.) Realistic Stereo Receiver SA-1001 150 watts 2.) dbx Split Spectrum MPA-150 subwoofer amplifier (from DAK) 3.) dbx 15” floor subwoofer (from DAK also) 4.) two Marantz floor speakers 5.) AudioSource EQ unit. I simply need to get the wiring correct out of the stereo receiver to the subwoofer amp to the floor subwoofer then out to the Marantz floor speakers. Somewhere in between I had the AudioSource EQ hooked in . Still trying to figure out the connections. The LINE OUT from the subwoofer amp and the LINE OUT from the subwoofer speaker confuses me. I’m hoping that the pictures help show the connections that I am looking at. I will certainly give it another try today to see if I can solve it. I appreciate your input and suggestions. If you still have the dbx MPA-150 manual that would be very helpful! Many thanks! John
goodolpg
Just an old fart trying to help.
I don't understand picture #3, the one showing the backs of the two units.
Why is there only one wire off right and one wire off left of the dbx unit?
************* PURE SPECULATION AHEAD**************
Just a wild ass guess, 4 wires should run from the receiver speaker outputs to the dbx control (2 wires for left/right OUTS of the receiver to left/right INS on dbx)
Then 4 wires (2 wires for left, 2 for right OUT from dbx) to left/right IN on the sub. THEN 4 wires OUT from the sub to left/right to the MAIN speakers.
Or I'm all wrong, which is possible.
Why is there only one wire off right and one wire off left of the dbx unit?
************* PURE SPECULATION AHEAD**************
Just a wild ass guess, 4 wires should run from the receiver speaker outputs to the dbx control (2 wires for left/right OUTS of the receiver to left/right INS on dbx)
Then 4 wires (2 wires for left, 2 for right OUT from dbx) to left/right IN on the sub. THEN 4 wires OUT from the sub to left/right to the MAIN speakers.
Or I'm all wrong, which is possible.