Need Advice on Sub Hookup (1 Viewer)

[Rob Willey]

I'm looking for advice on wiring my subwoofer to my receiver. The sub hookup on the receiver takes one RCA plug. The sub has not one, but two pairs of standard right/left hookups. I can use bare speaker wire or banana plugs there.
Do I need one length of standard speaker wire customized with an RCA on one end and only hook up one pair of the plugs on the sub? Or is there something else I should be considering?
Receiver is a Pioneer VSX-1021-k, sub is an old Cambridge Soundworks Ensemble II.
Thanks in advance for helping clear up my confusion.

 

[Al.Anderson]

The Cambridge is a passive sub, and the VSX-1021, like most modern receivers, is made for a powered sub. So if you want to use the Cambridge, you have to add a sub amp, something like these:
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-g4fLa15zATZ/g_347250/Mono-Amplifiers.html

 

[Robert_J]

The Cambridge is a passive sub, and the VSX-1021, like most modern receivers, is made for a powered sub. So if you want to use the Cambridge, you have to add a sub amp, something like these:
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-g4fLa15zATZ/g_347250/Mono-Amplifiers.html

Al, those are car amps.
Here's a good starter amp - http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=300-812 If you need more power, there are larger amps for a larger price.

 

[Al.Anderson]

Al, those are car amps.

Oops, I thought I checked for that. The forum should have an option to tag posts with, "Warning: poster is only on the forum because he can't sleep."

 

[schan1269]

I've made posts "before morning Joe"...
Should have a similar warning...

 

[schan1269]

On a "related note" (and cause I want to be lazy today and not download manuals...)...
Take a picture of that subs connections...
If it "has a pair" of speaker terminals and the receiver has "bi-amp" mode...(which I think it does...???)
Run the receiver bi-amp and run the sub that way. Explanation should be in the manual...
Pioneer/Elite has bi-amp, but does it start with the 1021? Ealier with the 921/821??? Later or Elite exclusive???

 

[JohnRice]

BTW, from recollection I'm fairly certain that is NOT actually a sub. It is a bass module that matched some small bookshelf speakers. They may or may not be an improvement over what you have, but they do not give actual .1 channel sub extension. Since You didn't say what your speakers are, it's not possible to know if this will be an improvement. In any case, I personally wouldn't spend extra money to use them as subs.