Need advice setting up 5.1 system (1 Viewer)

[Eagl3]

I'm not too competent when it comes to Home cinema set-ups so I have a question on how to connect this set of speakers. I got this set of Paramax P-7 speakers at a garage sale. They are a 5.1 set. They look like a really nice set of speakers but the thing is they don't come with a receiver or amp.
I have been planning to buy a ONKYO TX-NR414 5.1-Channel 3-D Ready Network A/V Receiver.
This receiver though uses a pre-amp LFE out and from what I understand I cannot directly hook up the passive subwoofer that comes with the Paramax set.
Here are the specs of the system:
TOTAL PROGRAM POWER: 1500W
Subwoofer Program: 500W
Speaker Program (100W*5): 1000W
The sub has a left and right input on it (red & black) and a left and right output (red & black). According to the manufacturer the front Left and Front right speaker outputs from the receiver need to be connected to the L & R inputs on the Sub. And then the front right & left satellite speakers connect to the outputs on the sub. The other speakers ( center, sourround left & right) connect straight to the amp/receiver.
This seems like a weird set up to me, but I guess what I want to ask is:
Is the manufacturer recommended connection right for this type of receiver? Can i somehow make it so the subwoofer channel data passes through the front left and right outputs? If not do I need to get a mono digital subwoofer amplifier just for the sub so i can make it powered?
Or is this not worth the hassle at all and should i just get a HTIB 5.1 system? Sorry for the wall of text and I hope someone that knows this stuff can help me out. I have attached two pictures for the back of the sub and the connections diagram.

 

[Martino]

Hook up the speakers as the diagram suggests - for the front left, right - run the speaker wire to the sub first, then out the the speakers.
Then, on your receiver, set the sub output to OFF (this is for a powered sub, which you do not have) - and set the front speakers to either large or full range...all other speakers to small.
Doing this will route all of the ".1" information to the front speakers - where the passive sub will at least attempt to reproduce the lower frequencies.
First upgrade would be to get a powered sub - and then turn the sub back to ON...but leave the speakers connected as they are..

 

[schan1269]

It always saddens me when people buy "white van scam" crap.

 

[Jim Mcc]

Now Sam, lets be nice. It was a garage sale.

 

[Eagl3]

Thank you so much Martino, I will try that. And guys yes I'm aware of the paramax scam.. but $40 at a garage sale still in the box is good enough...

 

[Jim Mcc]

As long as you like the sound, that's all that matters. But I love when people say "still in the box". Like it's a HUGE plus?

 

[schan1269]

I, more than once, bid up some WVS stuff. It is easy to back out of paying for stuff on Ebay. And even then, buy it, wait for it to arrive and then complain about build quality...
There was a guy who listed some stuff by Epiphany(). More than one auction. Friends of mine and I bid all of his auctions up into 5 digits. On the last day of the auctions...they were mysteriously not available for sale anymore...hhhmmm...