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Subwoofer Help for a Relative Newbie (1 Viewer)

ShaunS

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Jun 16, 2002
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I'm on the hunt for a subwoofer and have found a second hand one, but I'm unsure if it is going to work with my system. Keep in mind that I live in an apartment so I don't need anything too powerfull. I already have the 5 speakers.

Here is an image of the front and
rear of the subwoofer.

I have a Pioneer VSX-D710S receiver.

A few questions:
The receiver only has a "Sub W. Preout" while the subwoofer has the L/R Inputs as well as the "Low Level Input". Am I going to be able to use this subwoofer with my receiver? If yes, how am I to hook it up? Would I just plug the "Sub W. Preout" to the "Low Level Input"? What cord do I need to do this?

Just what are the two knobs under "Phase Hi-Cut", "Low Level Input", and "High Level Input/Output"?

And generally, is this going to add a noticable difference to the sound? I can pick it up for about $90 CDN. I realise it ain't top of the line, but I'm slowly building my HT and just want to complete the 5.1 for now.

I appreciate any help on this you can offer.

ShaunS
 

Mike Mundt

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Dec 28, 2002
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Hi-Level is probably refering to a speaker input, meaning you can run your speaker cable for your front speakers from: reciever to subwoofer to fronts. If you do this you need to find out how to get all (LFE, .1, or subwoofer signals) to be sent to the front speakers (find out in your manual for the reciever).

Low-Level i guess referrs to line-level. Sort of a stupid name to use, but all you would do is use your subwoofer pre-out and send it to your subwoofer. I prefer using monster cable's LFE cable. In this case you would normally indicate to the reciever that you have a subwoofer plugged in.

The pass Hi-Cut high cut, in very simple terms will determine wether your subwoofer accepts higher bass, or if it redirects it to the fronts. 200 Hz would indicate, you are allowing the subwoofer to reproduce high bass. 100 Hz would indicated you do not want the subwoofer to reproduce anything over 100 Hz, and it will pass it directly to the front speakers.
 

ShaunS

Stunt Coordinator
Joined
Jun 16, 2002
Messages
163
Thanks for the quick help Mike. A couple questions to clarify:

I take it that my two options are to a)plug the "low-level input" on the sub to the "Sub W. Preout" on my receiver, or b)to run speaker wire from the 2 front speakers to the "High Level Input" on the sub then from the Output on the sub to the receiver?
Which is the better method?
I take it that by doing "a" I just need to indicate to my receiver that a sub is being used and that's it?
If I go with "a" what is the type of wire I am going to have to need called?

As far as the "Phase Hi-Cut" goes, what is the difference in the two settings? Is it preferable to have the sub reproduce high bass or not? Or is it just personal preference?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

ShaunS
 

PaulT

Supporting Actor
Joined
Oct 28, 2002
Messages
932
You've got the 'b' part backwards Shaun. Mike is correct.

For Speaker level you would hook the Output of your Receiver's Front left and Right Speakers to the Inputs of the Sub. You then hook your Front Left and Right Speakers to the Outputs of the Sub. The High cut will change the crossover frequency of the signal you sent 'to' your front speakers if they are hooked to the Sub.

You could try it both ways however it is easier to use the Line Level (Low Level) Input and tell your receiver you have a Sub.

The cable you want is called a Subwoofer Cable (or LFE Cable), You could buy a Monster or AR one at most stereo shops for about 20-25CDN and up depending on length, however, if you went to Radio Shack and got a premade length of RG6 coax cable (yes, like for your TV) and 2 x F-RCA adapters, then you could probably do it much cheaper.
 

ShaunS

Stunt Coordinator
Joined
Jun 16, 2002
Messages
163
Thank you very much Paul. I think I'm clear on how to hook it up now.

My only question now is whether this subwoofer is adequate or not. I've searched google and could only find one site listing this model and it was in another language. I was thinking that this might have been part of a HT in a box or something.

Shaun
 

PaulT

Supporting Actor
Joined
Oct 28, 2002
Messages
932
I haven't heard about that sub, however, since you do not have one and you can get it for 90CDN, then as long as the seller can show you it works, it seems like a good deal. I think for you to get into a Sony or other subs in the starting range you are looking at 150 and up CDN.
http://www.sonystyle.ca/webapp/comme..._FI_COMPONENTS

You will notice a difference going to the 5.1 from the 5.0 system. You are probably right about it being part of a HTIB.
 

ScottRCapt

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Apr 25, 2003
Messages
80
Shaun,

You cannot find any info on that Sub because it originally was sold as part of a RCA surround sound DVD system. It came in a box with a DVD player/receiver, 4 cube speakers and a center channel. Originally the whole system sold for about $359.00 U.S. and that was overpriced.

I would say that if your current receiver already has a subwoofer pre-out, that you should save your 90 bucks and pass on this plastic RCA Jitterbox, it will not add any musical presence to your home theater. It might be good for a computer game system, but your not building one of those, are you?

Keep looking on E-bay, I bought a Cerwin Vega LS-10 Subwoofer for $135.00 and I use it in my bedroom, I assure you that it is 10,000 times better than that RCA your looking at.

I hear that the 120 Watt Sony Sub is not bad, and you can pick them up for less than $100. Just don't buy the smaller 100 watt Sony Sub... It was not as good.

That my 2 cents, Hope I saved you 90 bucks....:D
 

PaulT

Supporting Actor
Joined
Oct 28, 2002
Messages
932
Fair comment about the Sub especially if it is from a really inexpensive setup.

Remember Scott we are talking Canuck Bucks (US x 1.47) so the RCA is 60US. Here the 50W Sony Sub is MSRP 100+USD. Ebay is an option, but multiply everything x 1.5 plus shipping and Duty (Unless the products are US or Canadian made). The 120W Sony used to list for 300UCDN, whether or not you can pick one up for less is unknown.

If you have the money available, look at some Canadian made Subs in the Energy line or see if you can find other 'used' or 'floor model' subs at local retailers.

If you have the opportunity to try the sub out, see if you can justify the price, otherwise there are lots of other options but for more cost.
 

ScottRCapt

Stunt Coordinator
Joined
Apr 25, 2003
Messages
80
Oh Yeah, My fault for not figuring Canadian Dollar conversion rates eh... I am a Hoser! Eh?

60 bucks Canadian is still money down the drain or the proverbial Ice fishing Hole if he purchases that RCA plastic Sub, eh...?

He should get his dogs ready get on his sled and rumble down to the border and buy at least something that will make a difference, eh....?

That was my point, Party On! Eh?
 

Mike_J_D

Stunt Coordinator
Joined
Mar 3, 2003
Messages
213
LOL Scott....I think you used too many Eh..Eh. But I would totally agree with your advice. If you have to save some more cash up and get a better sub.. That RCA will do you no good at all. If you want a inexpensive sub look for a used FRx 8 made by Mirage. I've bought 2. One I gave to my sister and the other one was for my Dad. And for its price and size it will blow that RCA out of the water. And it is a breeze to hook up. If you can wait a while I'm in the process of getting a new sub myself. I'm probly going to try and give my old one to my Dad. If he takes then I can sell you his old Mirage for cheap. Let me know and hope this helps. Mike D
 

ShaunS

Stunt Coordinator
Joined
Jun 16, 2002
Messages
163
Well I caved in and bought it after all. It helped that they threw in the Boogie Nights double dvd for free, a nice way to test it out. And I must say, it does make a noticiable difference. Like I said, I'm in an apartment so I wanted something that wouldn't bother the neighbours *TOO* much, and I think this is perfect. It adds a nice level of rumble and bass. I'm fairly pleased. And for $90 CDN it wasn't a big gamble.

I now have my receiver set up for all 4 speakers to be "Large" and the bass is set at "Plus". My speakers are fairly small, but I find I get a nice deep sound with everything set at large instead of small. I now feel the desire to rewatch everything I have. :) Thanks for all the help!

ShaunS
 

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