My first subwoofer (1 Viewer)

[david_jackson]

Just installed the active sub but not sure if it's working correctly. As it's my first, don't know what to expect.

My Sony amp has a singe RCA out for the sub, the sub has twin RCA in (for DVD) and terminals for L & R (for the amp). I'm connecting to the terminals. I've cut down a single to twin RCA to suit, connected single RCA to the amp, the shield on both leads to the - terminals (L&R) and center on both leads to the + terminals (L&R). Is this correct?

Assuming above is OK now doing setup for the sub on the amp. On the amp set sub to on, start the tone test to adjust volume on all speakers, but the volume is way down on the sub, not even close to the others. It's also more like a deep "hiss" than a clean tone. Should the sub give equal volume, or is this normal?

Any assistance appreciated.

 

[Vince Maskeeper]

Usually those binding post connections are used if you are sending a powered signal, one coming from an amplifier.

For example: your main speakers, since they don't have a built in amplifier- they get their juice from the receiver's amps-- and you connect from your receiver using speaker wire to the same kind of binding posts on the speakers.

Most subwoofers have a built in amplifier-- but many subwoofers also have this kind of connection, in case you want to bypass the internal amplifier and power the subwoofer's speaker with your own amplifier (thus the "amp" input label).

My guess is you have bypassed the internal amplifier on the sub by connecting this way, so you are driving your new sub speaker with the 1 volt of power that the sub output on your receiver supplies.

You should probably connect from the receiver's sub output RCA into the DVD input (probably just the left for now) using an RCA-RCA cable. And see if you hear a difference.

-V

 

[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

Hi David,

If this is a powered sub, all you need to do is run a single RCA cable from the receiver to one of the sub’s inputs. You don’t need to use the speaker connections at all. There should be a volume knob on the sub to adjust the level to match the other speakers. The test signal will not sound the same in the sub as it does in the other speakrs. You will also probably have to access your receiver’s menu and tell it you’re using a sub. Also, set the speakers to “small.”

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[nickMahler]

i have been using some car audio subs for my home theater for about 4 years and they sound pretty awesome for the price.

 

[david_jackson]

Thanks all...

Just got home from work and tried the RCA-RCA, now getting a nice low rumble (wich I guess is what I should get). Now to dig out my Star Wars DVD with the Star Destroyer passing over my head!