passive sub

[Bigoez77]

i have an old optimus 12" passive sub and a pioneer vsx-520-k, i want to know if its ok to hook up my sub by running speaker wire from the sub to the front speakers and then the left and right out to the reciever, or if there is a better way to connect my sub.

[Army Of Dorkness]

I would not recommend doing that. You need to get a powered sub or buy an amp for your sub.

[jomari]

why not? he can still use his passive sub, surely it wont be as powerful as a powered one, but definitely doable.

So,

AVR settings:
Set Front speakers to LARGE;
Subwoofer set to No or none (some AVRs have this setting available or Sub+Main, completely turn it off if you please)

Speaker 'settings':
AVR-> Speakerwire-> (connecting to the input section) Subwoofer->Speakerwire (connecting to the output section)->Front speakers

There are a number of other ways to do it, but for this sake, we're keeping it simple.

The crossovers tho that are built into the sub tho are pretty high, im basing this on my google search, here.

[Bigoez77]

Originally Posted by jomari

why not? he can still use his passive sub, surely it wont be as powerful as a powered one, but definitely doable.

So,

AVR settings:
Set Front speakers to LARGE;
Subwoofer set to No or none (some AVRs have this setting available or Sub+Main, completely turn it off if you please)

Speaker 'settings':
AVR-> Speakerwire-> (connecting to the input section) Subwoofer->Speakerwire (connecting to the output section)->Front speakers

There are a number of other ways to do it, but for this sake, we're keeping it simple.

The crossovers tho that are built into the sub tho are pretty high, im basing this on my google search, here.

awesome, thanks for the help, i wanted to make sure connecting it like this wouldnt damage any of my equipment

[jomari]

your welcome!

hopefully you saw the reply ive posted in your other thread too...

keep the questions coming. Im sure most of us can assist you further with them.

[Bigoez77]

something else i saw on a website was that you can take a different receiver and hook it up to the sub and use that as an amp, is this possible and if so how exactly would you do this?

[Big Daddy]

If your subwoofer is this Optimus model, then it will cut out much of the lower frequencies from the front speakers and your bass sound becomes too directional.

Radio Shack Optimus Pro-SW12 Subwoofer, (Catalog #: 400-4051)
Specifications

OVER-ALL:
Frequency Response: ............................... 35 Hz - 250 Hz; -10 dB
System Resonance: .................................................. . 8 Hz
Crossover Frequency: .............................................. 250 Hz
Impedance: .................................................. ...... 8 Ohms
Power Capacity: ............................................... 100 W Max.
Sound Pressure Level: ..................................... 80 dB +/- 2 dB

ENCLOSURE:
Dimensions (H x W x D): ............................ 320mm x 460mm x 400mm, 12.6" x 18.1" x 15.75"
Material and Thickness (Cabinet): ............................ M.D.F. 15mm, 0.6"

WOOFER:
Type: .................................................. ............. Cone
Diameter: .................................................. .......... 12"
Resonance: .................................................. ....... 18 Hz
Cone Material: .................................................. ... Paper
Voice Coil Diameter: .................................................. 2"
Voice Coil Impedance: .................................... 8 Ohms @ 200 Hz
Magnet Type: .................................................. . 110 Xt 17
Magnet Weight: ........................................... 567.5 g (20 oz)

[Bigoez77]

its the pro sw-14 model, not the sw-12
http://support.radioshack.com/suppor...oc63/63336.pdf

[jomari]

Originally Posted by Bigoez77

its the pro sw-14 model, not the sw-12
http://support.radioshack.com/suppor...oc63/63336.pdf

i couldnt read the pdf file, but i think its the same one i posted earlier.

heres a cut and paste...

PRO SW-14 12-Inch 100-Watt Subwoofer
(400-4072) Specifications Faxback Doc. # 63188

Frequency Range: ......................................... 29 Hz to 200 Hz

Power Handling: ............................................ 100 Watts RMS

Maximum Power: ................................................. 200 Watts

Sensitivity: .......................................... 88 dB @ 2.83 Volts

Impedance: ................................................ Nominal 8 Ohms

Speaker: ........................................ 12-Inch, Dual Voice Coil

Crossover Frequency: ...................... 200 Hz with Built-In Crossover
(Low-Pass Crossover for Internal Speaker)
(High-Pass Crossover for External Primary Speaker Systems)

Connections: ........................................... Push-In Terminals

Enclosure Type: .............................................. Bass Reflex

Enclosure Finish: ................................. Black Wood Grain Vinyl

Dimensions (HWD): ........ 15-1/4 x 17 x 16 Inches (38.3 x 42.8 x 40.2 cm)

Weight: ................................................ 26 lbs. (11.7 kg)

Specifications are typical; individual units might vary. Specifications
are subject to change and improvement without notice.

200hz is the crossover cutoff, and quite honestly, pretty high for my taste. But for what its worth, it can STILL function as a subwoofer, just dont raise the bar that high tho.

[Bigoez77]

im still wondering though if using something like an old receiever would work like an amo for the sub

[jomari]

Originally Posted by Bigoez77

im still wondering though if using something like an old receiever would work like an amo for the sub

in essence you could, but it gets a tad complicated from that point on. id advise using an amplifier instead, but id rather have Big daddy try to assist you on this route.

i can come back to this thread once it dies down here at work...

[Bigoez77]

ok, thanks for all the help, youve been very helpful, and this is were i first saw the idea for doing this
http://www.hometheaterforum.com/foru...ive-sub-woofer

[jomari]

Originally Posted by Bigoez77

ok, thanks for all the help, youve been very helpful, and this is were i first saw the idea for doing this
http://www.hometheaterforum.com/foru...ive-sub-woofer

great to see you're looking into options. well played kind sir.

The instructions are pretty much spot on, and id imagine its not that hard to calibrate to work with the other speakers.

One point in mind tho, dont overpower it - you want it to blend with the rest of the speakers. Reset the technics hi fi system 'sound' with a better one.

[Bigoez77]

sincce this is poddible would this work
http://www.hometheaterforum.com/foru...ive-sub-woofer

[jomari]

Originally Posted by Bigoez77

sincce this is poddible would this work
http://www.hometheaterforum.com/foru...ive-sub-woofer

yup.

to simplify for you, on the bottom left side of the back panel on the STR-DN1000, you see the subwoofer (audio out on top),

[Show spoiler]

connect using a typical rca cable

[Show spoiler]

Subwoofer Audio Out -> RCA cable -> older AVR or stereo amp -> any input (lets use CD for this example)...

from the older AVR, use the speaker cable,

[Show spoiler]

Connect to speaker terminals, Either left or right.

Speaker wire then connects to the subwoofer, via Input connection ONLY.

End sub setup.

The front speakers will go DIRECTLY into the STR-DN1000, using the speaker wires.

The STR-DN1000 setup would be as follows now,
1. Menu -> Settings -> Speaker

Fronts - SMALL
Center - SMALL
Surrounds - SMALL

ALL Speakers crossover settings - 80Hz

2. Menu -> Settings -> HDMI

SW Level - Set at 0 and not Autio

Go to the older AVR,

Check to see if we selected CD (based on example)
Using a test tone, or what not material you choose,
At minimal increments increase the subwoofers volume

Blend accordingly and calibrate.

Calibrate.
Calibrate.
Calibrate.

[Bigoez77]

woops i pasted the wrong link, this is wat i meant to post, http://www.fixya.com/support/p165390-koss_ks3102_system

and if it helps any the main receiver i have is a pioneer vsx-520-k

[jomari]

Originally Posted by Bigoez77

woops i pasted the wrong link, this is wat i meant to post, http://www.fixya.com/support/p165390-koss_ks3102_system

and if it helps any the main receiver i have is a pioneer vsx-520-k

man, i thought that was you who had the STR-DN1000...

Sigh.

Anyways, i think you get the gist of things. The setups pretty much the same with the Pioneer, just follow the trail.

According to the manual, the 520s subwoofer pre-out is on the top left area, above the pre-outs section.

The sub option is found in the LFE ATT area, set that to 0 as well.

Everything else is explained there.

Your speakers, are from the koss KS3102 system you posted?

[Bigoez77]

no the reciever i wanted to use to power the sub is from that i have other speakers

[jomari]

Originally Posted by Bigoez77

no the reciever i wanted to use to power the sub is from that i have other speakers

same thing.

based on the manual, page 8 shows me that you can still achieve this by the initial posting ive shown you.

hook up the sub-out from the pioneer, to the htib receiver, then the subwoofers on one of the speaker terminals (you can use the sub, but lets not overcomplicate things. ), then towards the subwoofer INPUT area.

day off today. Laundry.

[Bigoez77]

my speaker wire finally came in so i tried this and i couldnt get my subwoofer working by using the old receiever as an amp but was able to get it working by hooking it up to my fronts