How do I hook up my sub?

[Phatferd]

As some of you know, I am a complete n00b in the audio department. I finally got around to hooking up my surround sound today, but I am stuck on the very last part.

I have the Onkyo 605 and the polkaudio RM6750 5.1 surround system (it's very basic).

The sub has a red and white RCA connector labeled "Input".

The Onkyo 605 has a purple input labeled "Pre-out Subwoofer". How do I connect my sub to my 605?

Also, the sub has spring clips for the 5 speakers, I ignored this because I am running the speakers through the Onkyo 605, was this correct?

Thanks guys!!

[MacDaddyOJack]

You only use one analog RCA cable. Connect one end to that purple subwoofer output on the receiver, and then connect the other end to the white rca input on your sub. If you prefer red you can do that too, it doesnt really make a difference. But back in the day, the single left (white) channel was considered mono so that is what is usually used for the sub. Again, it doesnt make a difference, just plug it into one of them and enjoy!

[Paden]

Originally Posted by MacDaddyOJack

You only use one analog RCA cable. Connect one end to that purple subwoofer output on the receiver, and then connect the other end to the white rca input on your sub. If you prefer red you can do that too, it doesnt really make a difference. But back in the day, the single left (white) channel was considered mono so that is what is usually used for the sub. Again, it doesnt make a difference, just plug it into one of them and enjoy!

I have a question on this as well and hopefully you can answer it too. I have my sub connected properly as I can see it operating at times. Still, it doesn't seem to "kick in" very often. Is this normal or is there a way to program the sub response in the receiver itself and have I set it too high or too low? I'm not at home so I won't be able to check the settings but you can see my Denon unit listed in my footer.

Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.

[Phatferd]

Originally Posted by MacDaddyOJack

You only use one analog RCA cable. Connect one end to that purple subwoofer output on the receiver, and then connect the other end to the white rca input on your sub. If you prefer red you can do that too, it doesnt really make a difference. But back in the day, the single left (white) channel was considered mono so that is what is usually used for the sub. Again, it doesnt make a difference, just plug it into one of them and enjoy!

Make sure I have this right...

If I have a normal RCA cable with all 3 colors then just plug the White into the white input on the sub and the other white end into the purple on the receiver? (I can plug the red end into the sub as well if I want).

Or just get a single RCA cable with 1 plug on each side and just plug one into the white on the sub and the other end into the purple on the receiver?

Thanks.

[TIki_Guy]

The guy I got my RM6750 speakers from gave me some cables including one that joins both RCA outs into one. I'm sure it's overkill but I have both of them connected to one cable going to the sub.

I really like that Sub, BTW. I now there are better but for what I paid for it, it's a lot of Boom for the buck.

[MacDaddyOJack]

Originally Posted by Phatferd

Or just get a single RCA cable with 1 plug on each side and just plug one into the white on the sub and the other end into the purple on the receiver?

There ya go, plug one end into the purple on the reciever, and then plug the other end into either the white OR the red on the sub, it doesnt matter which one you choose.

[MacDaddyOJack]

Where is your gain set at Paden? You may also want to adjust the level of the sub on your reciever as well.

[MacDaddyOJack]

Originally Posted by TIki_Guy

The guy I got my RM6750 speakers from gave me some cables including one that joins both RCA outs into one. I'm sure it's overkill but I have both of them connected to one cable going to the sub.

I really like that Sub, BTW. I now there are better but for what I paid for it, it's a lot of Boom for the buck.

Using the Y-cable that you mentioned will only be useful if your subwoofer is a Dual Voice Coil, or DVC and if your amplifier is two channel. Most powered subs are a mono(1-channel) amp paired to a single voice coil subwoofer. You really do not need a y-cable unless you are running a two channel amp or you are running two subwoofer simultaneously.

[Phatferd]

Thanks Mack, I appreciate it. Very helpful.

Did I do the correct thing in ignoring the spring speaker clips in the back of the sub for the other speakers?

[BStecke]

Originally Posted by Paden

I have a question on this as well and hopefully you can answer it too. I have my sub connected properly as I can see it operating at times. Still, it doesn't seem to "kick in" very often. Is this normal or is there a way to program the sub response in the receiver itself and have I set it too high or too low? I'm not at home so I won't be able to check the settings but you can see my Denon unit listed in my footer.

Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.

You may want to check the frequency your sub is set to. If the low pass is set to a really low frequency, it may only be kicking in for REALLY low bass.

[Johk]

Originally Posted by Paden

IStill, it doesn't seem to "kick in" very often. Is this normal or is there a way to program the sub response in the receiver itself and have I set it too high or too low?

Sounds like the volume for your sub in your receiver is set too low. Increase the volume off the sub on your amp (you may have to experiment a little) so that your sub always kick in when you are watching content with a .1 channel (perhaps not all content since some have a pretty silent LFE). Then adjust the volume of your sub to your liking and enjoy your movies.

If this does not work, you could put you sub in the "on" position instead of the "auto" or "standby" position. Also check in your manual if they recommend using the red or white RCA of your sub when your connecting it with only one RCA. Also a salesman told me that using a Y splitter to feed both the white and red RCA of your sub could boost the input level sent to your sub, I have never tried it since I don't have any problems with the level of my sub.

Hope this helps!

[Paden]

Originally Posted by BStecke

I may be wrong on this, but you may want to check the frequency your sub is set to. If the low pass is set to a really low frequency, it may only be kicking in for REALLY low bass.

Thanks. I don't know my settings as I can't check them. I have a fairly cheap Sub compared to some of you guys. You can see it here. Anyway, I think I just set the dials on the back to someplace in the middle and left it that way. Now that I've exposed myself as an audio noob...

Again, thanks for the feedback. I'll try anything you recommend. Just want to be sure I'm getting everything I can out of the equipment I have. It sounds good now but I think I can tweak it and make it a lot better.

[Paden]

Originally Posted by Johk

Hope this helps!

Thanks man. I'll give it a try!

[Flomaster]

Originally Posted by Phatferd

Thanks Mack, I appreciate it. Very helpful.

Did I do the correct thing in ignoring the spring speaker clips in the back of the sub for the other speakers?

if you plug your speakers into the sub you will be using the subs "amp" to power the speakers.

you do not want to do that. your sub should be the only thing hooked up to your "dedicated sub"(purple) output. for the LFE channel. and you should set your receiver front speakers to Small and that will keep the low freq signals separate and sent to the sub rather than sending them to the speakers and SUB, now if you have large tower style speakers maybe you might want it set at "both"

[Johk]

Originally Posted by Paden

I have a fairly cheap Sub compared to some of you guys. You can see it here.

It doesn't look so bad!

I had a Polk Audio that produced a popping sound on challenging soundtracks, now that was crap! Now it's dead! No popping, but no other sound too! Replaced it with a Klipsch Synergy 12" Down-Firing Subwoofer (SUB-12) and it's way better than the other one! It's still a relatively cheap one but I'm happy with it.

[Paden]

DOH! I mean... DOH!!!!!

I hate to admit this but damn if the thing wasn't plugged in. It must've come unplugged when I had a repairman over to fix the TV. No wonder it didn't seem to be working!

OK, I still have some questions on it, however...

I've found in my receiver where I can crank up the volume. I've added a few DB's since I really want the room to rock when cannon shots fire!

I see the crossover frequency is set to 80 Db on the receiver. Is this proper? You may need more information than I've given. My main speakers are big loudspeakers. Suggestions?

Further, the back of the sub itself has two dials. Crossover Freq which I assume I'll want to set to the same as the receiver. Unfortunately the dial starts with 40 and ends with 160 and the number of large tickmarks don't suggest each is worth 10 Db. So... I think I have to guess where 80 is. Anyway, the other dial is Gain. What is this? Is this the volume control?

There is also a switch called PHASE which has two options, 0 degrees and 180 degrees. What does this do and which should it be set to?

Thanks for your input. I guess just plugging it in was a good start.