Do all subs have the same input type from receiver?

slammy77 · 07-10-2007, 06:45 AM

I have a Sony STR-K502P 5.1 system that's 5 years old. It sounds good and it's rated at 100 watts per channel. For the 1st time ever, I just used the optical digital audio inputs on it and WOW! What a difference!

But I still need more rumble from my sub.

My Sony receiver's subwoofer output is a single skinny cable with a male tip on each end. Is that how most powered subs are connected? Will I be able to buy, for example, the Klipsch 12" powered sub and plug it right in?

Jeff Gatie · 07-10-2007, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slammy77

I have a Sony STR-K502P 5.1 system that's 5 years old. It sounds good and it's rated at 100 watts per channel. For the 1st time ever, I just used the optical digital audio inputs on it and WOW! What a difference!

But I still need more rumble from my sub.

My Sony receiver's subwoofer output is a single skinny cable with a male tip on each end. Is that how most powered subs are connected? Will I be able to buy, for example, the Klipsch 12" powered sub and plug it right in?

If the "male tips" are RCA connectors, you are good to go. RCA connectors are the same ones you find on analog audio and video interconnects - the red/white/yellow type cables:

bassman99floyd · 07-10-2007, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slammy77

Is that how most powered subs are connected? Will I be able to buy, for example, the Klipsch 12" powered sub and plug it right in?

Yes, a modern sub will use the standard RCA style cables, to connect receiver to sub.

jaseman · 07-10-2007, 09:47 AM

If you get any HUM or interference then get a little bit better quality shielded cable designed specifically for a sub. The ones shown above are very low end and usually come with your receiver for free. No need to spend a fortune on it though. Get one from Blue Jeans Cable.

slammy77 · 07-10-2007, 10:07 AM

This is what the Klipsch powered subwoofer says it has for inputs:

input connections: Two line level/RCA phono jacks and two high level speaker terminals

My receiver's subwoofer out jack is a single hole. It would seem to me that they aren't compatible... but I don't know much about this stuff yet. Am I wrong?

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Robert_J · 07-10-2007, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slammy77

This is what the Klipsch powered subwoofer says it has for inputs:

input connections: Two line level/RCA phono jacks and two high level speaker terminals

My receiver's subwoofer out jack is a single hole. It would seem to me that they aren't compatible... but I don't know much about this stuff yet. Am I wrong?

You are wrong. Just run a cable from your receiver's sub out to either of the RCA jacks on the sub. That's what most of us do. There's a group that likes to use a "Y" adapter to connect to both of the sub's inputs but that is just a waste of money. The sub's inputs are summed internally so it doesn't matter if you use one connection or both.

-Robert

Jeff Gatie · 07-10-2007, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slammy77

This is what the Klipsch powered subwoofer says it has for inputs:

input connections: Two line level/RCA phono jacks and two high level speaker terminals

My receiver's subwoofer out jack is a single hole. It would seem to me that they aren't compatible... but I don't know much about this stuff yet. Am I wrong?

You only need one hole. Use a single cable terminated with RCA connectors to go from the sub out to the sub. You can probably reuse the cable you have now if it is long enough.

gene c · 07-10-2007, 06:08 PM

And once you get the sub cable thing sorted out, I'm thinking a calibration setup disc (Avia, S&V, Video Essentials, etc.) might be helpfull, if your 5 year old Sony allows for individual speaker volume and distance settings.

slammy77 · 07-11-2007, 06:50 AM

Thanks for the input, fellas. I appreciate it. You're a very helpful crew.