Powered Vs. Passive Subwoofers (1 Viewer)

[Spottedfeather]

My six year old receiver just crapped out on me. No sound. First, after turning it on, it would take a minute or two then it would have sound. Got tired of this, so I left it on. Then, the sound stopped. Sound came back a few hours later. Now, there's no sound at all.

If I'm unable to repair it, I'm going to have to get a new receiver. The problem is that while I can use my existing speakers, my subwoofer is passive, with only wires for a connection. Most, if not all, the receivers I've been looking at have rca inputs for a powered subwoofer. Is it at all possible to use a banana adapter to use my passive subwoofer on a new receiver ? I really don't have the money for a receiver AND a new subwoofer....especially since the subwoofer, when sound is going to it, works fine.

 

[David Willow]

You will need an amp to power your passive sub. In your old receiver the amp was built in. Most stand alone receivers (I'm assuming you have a home theater in a box - HTiB) do not have the extra amp. There's no way to power it without the amp. You will either need a new sub or an amp to power the old one.

On that note, if your speakers are part of a HTiB, then you should find the specs before you use them with a new receiver. Many times they are 4 or even 3 ohm and can damage the new receiver. If you are not sure list the make and model here and we may be able to find the specs online.

 

[Spottedfeather]

I just looked it up and I have an Onkyo R391. According to the back of the receiver, it says Speaker Impedance 6 - 16 Ohms. I was looking at these newer receivers, which also say 6 - 16 Ohms.
https://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-VSX-..._n_feature_keywords_two_browse-bin:7306172011
https://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-SR3..._n_feature_keywords_two_browse-bin:7306172011

 

[David Willow]

Then you are in luck with the speakers. I'd say get the Pioneer and save up for a sub.