Subwoofer connection question

[krp1997]

Hi everyone,

I have a Sony HTIB which has a passive subwoofer that connects to the receiver via speaker wire. I am looking to upgrade the receiver, using the current Sony speakers and sub on a temporary basis. The new receiver I'm looking at would obviously have the sub connect through an RCA jack. Is there an adapter that will convert the speaker wires to RCA? If not, is there any other way I can connect the sub?

[VinnAY]

The sub has no RCA connections, just speaker level?

[CptGreedle]

Hmm... there are 2 types of HTiB. The kind where all the speaker wires are built in to the speakers, and the kind where they are separate.
Always look for this when buying a HTiB.
NEVER buy the ones with the wires built in to the speakers, cause that makes it near impossible to upgrade them later. It sounds like you are stuck.
If the back of the Receiver does not have an RCA for a subwoofer, than it was not designed to support one and most likely will not work properly with an adapter. Your best bet is to upgrade your Receiver and use the existing speakers with it.

[krp1997]

The speakers I can disconnect, but the sub's connections are built in. I guess I am stuck for the time being.

[aramis109]

Actually, you would wire them to the fronts, then run the fronts through the subwoofer. The sub handles all crossover settings itself. The receiver you'd set as "full band" for the fronts.

The issue with this is you want to check your speakers. If they're 4ohms or less, most "entry level" receivers can't handle them and you can damage your equipment.

[krp1997]

Originally Posted by aramis109

Actually, you would wire them to the fronts, then run the fronts through the subwoofer. The sub handles all crossover settings itself. The receiver you'd set as "full band" for the fronts.

The issue with this is you want to check your speakers. If they're 4ohms or less, most "entry level" receivers can't handle them and you can damage your equipment.

The speakers are 6 ohms. Can you elaborate a little more on exactly what I'd need to do. I'm looking at the Onkyo 606 as the receiver.

Thanks.

[krp1997]

OK, I think I'm going to pull the trigger on the Onkyo 606, and buy this Sony sub until I can afford a speaker and sub upgrade.

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/...52921665089844

My last question is on the current Sony speakers I have. They are 6ohms, and the Onkyo outputs at 8 ohms? Will that cause any problems?

[aramis109]

Unfortunately, here is where I get a little fuzzy on the subject. I'll try and look it up in the manual. Maybe BigDaddy or someone else can chime in as well.

*edit* Folks here say it's ok: https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?p=1163524

*edit 2* You're ok. Here's Onkyo's specs from their site:

Amplifier Section

Power Output -
Front L/R 90 W + 90 W (8 ohms, 20 Hz–20 kHz
0.08%, 2 channels driven, FTC)
105 W + 105 W (8 ohms, 1 kHz, 0.7%,
2 channels driven, FTC)
110 W + 110 W (6 ohms, 1 kHz, 0.1%,
2 channels driven, FTC)
Center 90 W (8 ohms, 20 Hz–20 kHz, 0.08%,
2 channels driven, FTC)
105 W (8 ohms, 1 kHz, 0.7%, 2 channels
driven, FTC)
110 W (6 ohms, 1 kHz, 0.1%, 2 channels
driven, FTC)
Surround L/R 90 W + 90 W (8 ohms, 20 Hz–20 kHz,
0.08%, 2 channels driven, FTC)
105 W + 105 W (8 ohms, 1 kHz, 0.7%,
2 channels driven, FTC)
110 W + 110 W (6 ohms, 1 kHz, 0.1%,
2 channels driven, FTC)
Surround Back L/R 90 W + 90 W (8 ohms, 20 Hz–20 kHz,
0.08%, 2 channels driven, FTC)
105 W + 105 W (8 ohms, 1 kHz, 0.7%,
2 channels driven, FTC)
110 W + 110 W (6 ohms, 1 kHz, 0.1%,
2 channels driven, FTC)
Dynamic Power 210 W (3 ohms, 1 ch)
180 W (4 ohms, 1 ch)
110 W (8 ohms, 1 ch)
THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) 0.08% (Rated power)
Damping Factor 60 (Front, 1 kHz, 8 ohms)
Input Sensitivity and Impedance 200 mV/47 k-ohms (Line)
Output Level and Impedance 200 mV/2.2 k-ohms (Rec out)
Phono Overload -
Frequency Response 5 Hz–100 kHz/+1 dB, -3 dB (Direct mode)
Tone Control ±10 dB, 50 Hz (Bass)
±10 dB, 20 kHz (Treble)
Signal-to-Noise Ratio 106 dB (Line, IHF-A)
Speaker Impedance 6 ohms–16 ohms

[krp1997]

Originally Posted by aramis109

Unfortunately, here is where I get a little fuzzy on the subject. I'll try and look it up in the manual. Maybe BigDaddy or someone else can chime in as well.

Thanks, just looking at the specs on Onkyo's site, there's different power ratings for 8ohms vs. 6 ohms, so I think it should be ok. But as you can tell, I must've been absent on home audio day at school. With video, I'm good. Audio, not so much.

Edit: Thanks for the additional info. Sounds like I'm good.