Bass shaker connection with only une sub out (1 Viewer)

[John O. Barton]

Hi:
My new receiver/amplifier has only one sub preout whereas my old broken one had 2. How do I now connect my sub and my bass shaker? If I use a Y connector to split the signal, will either be affected and will it be noticeable and correctable? Thanks.
John

 

[Eric Samonte]

My Denon 3802 has only one sub out and I have 2 subs connected to it as well as the amp powering 6 50 watt Aura Pro Bass Shakers. I use a Y splitter and have not had problems but loose stuff coming off the walls everytime and the occasional " What the F#@*& was that?!?!" from first time guest seated in my HT.

 

[John O. Barton]

Good to know that. I'll get a Y splitter. Thanks a lot.
John

 

[David_Rivshin]

Yeah, a simple Y-splitter is what you need. Make sure to recalibrate your sub when you hook up the other end of the split to the amplifier for your shakers. You should lose about 6dB as a result of the splitting the signal between two loads.

-- Dave

 

[John O. Barton]

Thanks for the info. Will do.
John

 

[Allan Jayne]

I would double check the impedances before using a y-connector on speaker wires.

If the bass shaker or an unpowered subwoofer had an impedance the same as the lowest recommended for the amp, I would connect the bass shaker and subwoofer in series. Otherwise the amp could be overloaded.

For example if the sub and bass shaker were both 8 ohms, a parallel connection (Y-connector) yields 4 ohms while connecting in series yields 16 ohms. The latter is safer for an 8 ohm amp.

 

[John O. Barton]

I'll check that. I didn't know that. Thanks for the good advice.
John

 

[John O. Barton]

You mentioned an unpowered subwoofer. I have a powered subwoofer, so does it matter about the impedances.
John

 

[Bob McElfresh]

The "sub pre-out" is a RCA jack so these are line-level signals (low power) so you dont have to worry about impedences.

Some subs are wired with speaker wire from the reciever, then more wire to the L/R speakers. With this setup, you do have to worry about impedences.

 

[John O. Barton]

Thanks. I couldn't find it written anywhere what the impedances of the sub or the bass shakers were anyway.
John