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Replace passive sub with active in vintage tower?

J

jgbass

New Member
hi, longtime lurker, first time poster. I have an old set of Sansui tower speakers that are OK but I’ve been thinking of replacing them. But before I do, I’m wondering if I should think about replacing the components in the speaker box. For example, the tower has passive subwoofers — could I replace them with active ones?

OR, is this crazy and I should just buy new speakers? I recently bought a NAD C328 receiver and have an AT-LP120 turntable. Thanks
 
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I don't think that is a true subwoofer. A true subwoofer hit below 'woofers', usually in the 100-150hz and below, depending on crossover design, cabinet design, etc. You have a woofer in that speaker, not a subwoofer. Get a true subwoofer if you don't have enough low end.
 
Unfortunately influence from the car audio crowd has labelled all woofers ":subwoofers". This is completely wrong. They are simply woofers. With home audio a subwoofer is almost always a separate box with a woofer that's usually 8" or larger. They are also usually powered with an internal amplifier.

What the OP has in those boxes is a woofer. The size is not relevant.
 
Thanks everyone for the input so far. So if I want to add sub, any recommendations for something not overly expensive? Looking for more low end... these speakers are OK but only get there when turned up real loud.
 
Check out the Subxxxx series of powered subwoofers from Dayton Audio. The series includes 8", 10", 12" and 15" woofers.The Sub1200 (12") is less than $150. Several regular posters have and use subs from this series.

Get two! There are very good reasons for multiple subs.
 
Thanks! Other places I found pointed me to the BIC F12 or PL 200 which are like $2-300. so that’s a good price. I’m probably up for spending $300 at most, but will take less too! So will take a look at these.
 
I would focus first on a good pair of main speakers. These look like inexpensive speakers that might have been sold with a rack system. If they are lightweight and don't sound that good, I would look at your budget and see what you can do for the entire musical spectrum first. You may find you can get some good used speakers that satisfy you better, without needing a separate sub.
 
toxcrusadr said:
I would focus first on a good pair of main speakers. These look like inexpensive speakers that might have been sold with a rack system. If they are lightweight and don't sound that good, I would look at your budget and see what you can do for the entire musical spectrum first. You may find you can get some good used speakers that satisfy you better, without needing a separate sub.
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Yep this. Those are large "BookShelf" speakers, now what "Book Shelf" those could fit on ... I have no idea but that is there classification. :)

At that size ... they should be kinda hefty, if they are not?? Then most likely you could do better at a yard sale, thrift store or Goodwill. And I'm not anti sub, I run subs on all my speakers cuz none of them are the size of a washer or dryer, ... I gotta fit them in my house. :)
 
Thank you both — speakers were originally next on my list for an upgrade but thought maybe if I specifically wanted more low end the sub was the better route. These were OK when I had a cheap stereo system with a bass booster, but I don’t have that anymore, so I thought maybe a sub would be a cheaper route?
 
jgbass said:
Thank you both — speakers were originally next on my list for an upgrade but thought maybe if I specifically wanted more low end the sub was the better route. These were OK when I had a cheap stereo system with a bass booster, but I don’t have that anymore, so I thought maybe a sub would be a cheaper route?
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Uh that's hard to say, "IF" you shop for bargains, in used gear! And actually the same things applies to the Sub. Craigslist is your friend.

And buying locally, most of the time you can hear in use what you go to look at! And it's not an either or deal. You could buy and use a sub now, with the speakers you already have. And then at a later date after you have a better idea of the type of speakers you want and like and get them, you can use the sub with them. :)

And not expecting the main speakers to go really low ... less than say 30 hzs?? Opens up a lot of options in living room friendly choices. :)
 
Okay I'll open the can of worms.

Those speakers are not high-end speakers, they are built by (for?) Sansui after the decline of the brand, are built cheap and will never really give you accurate music.
Updating the drivers in a lightweight cabinet and with simple cheap crossovers (that have aged also), even if you are able to do the engineering and match the cabinet & other drivers' parameters, will be throwing time and money into little return. You're not starting with much here.

You can modify or add a sub to make them produce bass. I'd lean toward adding a sub as above until you choose a new set of speakers on your upgrade list. You can usually get your money back when selling a decent subwoofer, but modifying these speakers will not add any value.
 
jgbass said:
hi, longtime lurker, first time poster. I have an old set of Sansui tower speakers that are OK but I’ve been thinking of replacing them. But before I do, I’m wondering if I should think about replacing the components in the speaker box. For example, the tower has passive subwoofers — could I replace them with active ones?

OR, is this crazy and I should just buy new speakers? I recently bought a NAD C328 receiver and have an AT-LP120 turntable. Thanks
Click to expand...
Just buy new speakers. The passive is part of the design, and changing that will likely make things worse, not better. And they're just average rack system speakers from their day (sound decent, but not noteworthy).
 
SaturationPt has a good point. Couple of them actually! I was going to post the first one myself: it's hard to re-engineer a speaker and get it to sound good, esp. if the woofer is what you're changing, because it interacts not only with the other drivers via the crossover, but also with the cabinet. This would be like trying to make a better car out of a Chevette by replacing half the engine. It will not result in a better car overall, given the expense.

As for getting a sub first...not a bad idea either. I suggested replacing the mains, but if you think you will want smaller size mains and you like the idea of having a sub, by all means, get a sub first, so you at least have the full spectrum, and then think about upgrading the mains. That will work too. I only suggested just getting better mains because there are lots of speakers out there that do bass just fine without a sub.

Best advice I can give is to try to listen to anything you are thinking of buying. Not only to make sure you like the sound, but to make sure all the drivers are original and working.

You can post possibilities here and we'll give you some opinions.

Also do some reading here on the Speakers forum - find the 'which speakers should I buy?' threads which are numerous.
 
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Active subs in my home builds, works a treat, Wharfedale Tritons married to inverted Sheltons, hollowed out to be one box volume, top 4 drivers fed from amp, bottom woofers fed from internal amp from a Wharfedale 150w sub, split between the two cabs.
 
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