Power a non-powered sub off of a Powered sub? - Blu-ray Forum

martinstraka8282 · 04-14-2009, 02:37 AM

Question is pretty simple I guess. I have a powered 10" Yamaha Sub, and an 8" non-powered sub. The non-powered sub doesnt have any inputs, just a fixed red/white cable. Could I just plug the red/white from the non-powered sub to one of the L/R outputs of the powered sub?

It's probably not necessary since the non-powered sub probably sucks in comparison, but I wanted to try it and see how it sounds, just don't want to ruin anything.

HAMP · 04-14-2009, 03:22 AM

This is funny that you brought this up!
I am in the process of upgrading my bedroom from a HTiB & a upconvertor DVD player.

I upgraded to the Sony S-350 and a Denon AVR-789. I'm pretty broke right now and have not upgraded the speakers from the HTiB.

The speakers actually sound pretty darn good, but the sub is not powered.

I had an older Technic subwoofer(40 watts I think), which has (2) 8inch woofers inside of it.

I don't have the outputs like you have on yours, but I did open the powered sub and ran the wires from speakers to the non-powered sub.

It's not the greatest, but for the bedroom it's not bad...

I will be getting another powered sub, not not sure when...

I guess your question is will it ruin anything, mine is playing fine that's all I can tell ya...

Big Daddy · 04-14-2009, 03:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by martinstraka8282

Question is pretty simple I guess. I have a powered 10" Yamaha Sub, and an 8" non-powered sub. The non-powered sub doesnt have any inputs, just a fixed red/white cable. Could I just plug the red/white from the non-powered sub to one of the L/R outputs of the powered sub?

It's probably not necessary since the non-powered sub probably sucks in comparison, but I wanted to try it and see how it sounds, just don't want to ruin anything.

If the signals from the other subwoofer are low frequency signals, you won't hurt anything, but you should buy an external amplifier for it.

External Amplifiers for Passive Subwoofers:
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=300-380
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=302-601
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=300-812
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/psho...TOKEN=50414889
http://www.amazon.com/Audiosource-AM...8465481&sr=8-5
http://www.amazon.com/Boston-Acousti...8465645&sr=8-4
http://www.amazon.com/TBI-200-su-Sub...8465645&sr=8-5
http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/p...ifiers/swa500/

jomari · 04-14-2009, 04:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by martinstraka8282

Question is pretty simple I guess. I have a powered 10" Yamaha Sub, and an 8" non-powered sub. The non-powered sub doesnt have any inputs, just a fixed red/white cable. Could I just plug the red/white from the non-powered sub to one of the L/R outputs of the powered sub?

It's probably not necessary since the non-powered sub probably sucks in comparison, but I wanted to try it and see how it sounds, just don't want to ruin anything.

or you can attach it to your fronts, either left or right. considering this is more of an experimentation project, i dont see that you wont harm your speakers in doing so.

- you can lower the crossover settings from your to try em out a bit, just make sure you dont blow your fronts in doing so...
- connect speaker cables from your front speaker, and into the passive subwoofer.
- to isolate its sound, turn off your current powered sub, and give it a wee bit of power.
- howd you like it?

dont forget to put everything back to normal tho afterwards.

or you can go BD's route and er... buy an amplifier.

tilapiah6 · 04-14-2009, 04:20 AM

I also have a sub from an HTiB that I'd like to put in the corner on the other side of the living room.

martinstraka8282 · 04-14-2009, 05:06 AM

Thanks for the help guys! I really wasnt impressed with it once I got it to work, I guess thats what to expect from some shitty HTIB passive sub. I'm moving in a new place June 1st, so I'll assess my situation again then to see if I should buy another sub. I'll probably just buy another one of the Yamaha YST SW-315's I have now so they match up.

I'm running the Yamaha NS-555's for my fronts, NS-333's for my 4 surrounds, and an NS-c444 for my center, so it's not exactly the highest end equipment anyways... not that it matters living in an old apartment building.

Big Daddy · 04-14-2009, 07:05 AM

Make sure the signals from the first subwoofer output are not full range or high frequency signals. If the passive (unpowered) subwoofer has a built-in crossover, use it and set the crossover around 80Hz. If the passive sub does not have a built-in crossover, you may have to buy an external crossover or a dedicated subwoofer amplifier.

If you decide to buy an external subwoofer amplifier for it, connect the amplifier to the LFE output of the receiver. If you decide to buy a regular stereo amplifier or decide to connect the subwoofer to the front speaker outputs, then you will definitely need a crossover network as stereo amplifiers do not have crossovers and the signals from the front speakers are full range.

HAMP · 04-14-2009, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

If you decide to buy a regular stereo amplifier or decide to connect the subwoofer to the front speaker outputs, then you will definitely need a crossover network as stereo amplifiers do not have crossovers and the signals from the front speakers are full range.

Can something like this be done with the Denon AvR 789 if I am using the 5.1?

Big Daddy · 04-14-2009, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HAMP

Can something like this be done with the Denon AvR 789 if I am using the 5.1?

Yes, it should. If you have an LFE output (sub out) on the receiver, you can connect it to an external amplifier and connect the amplifier to the passive sub with speaker wires. Subwoofer amps have low pass filters in them. Regular amps don't. It really doesn't matter which type of amplifier you purchase as the bass management is done in the receiver.

If you want to connect a passive sub that does not have low pass filter to the front speakers, then it is best to purchase an external dedicated subwoofer amplifier or an external crossover. The signals from front speakers are full range and you don't want to send them to a passive subwoofer without low pass filter. If your receiver does not have pre-outs for the front speakers, make sure you buy a subwoofer amp or crossover with speaker level inputs.

HAMP · 04-15-2009, 12:28 AM

Oh!
I just wanted something simple and quick until I bought a speaker set for the bedroom.

It's odd, I really like the sound from the HTiB speakers I have. It's just the sub was not powered.

Panasonic SC-HT40

I have added the S-350 and the AVR-789 to the room.
I guess I will get the Polk 6750.

04-14-2009, 02:37 AM	#1
martinstraka8282 Expert Member Member since:Jul 2007 4K collection:401 Blu-ray collection:1466 DVD collection:1 Trading Score:1	Power a non-powered sub off of a Powered sub? Question is pretty simple I guess. I have a powered 10" Yamaha Sub, and an 8" non-powered sub. The non-powered sub doesnt have any inputs, just a fixed red/white cable. Could I just plug the red/white from the non-powered sub to one of the L/R outputs of the powered sub? It's probably not necessary since the non-powered sub probably sucks in comparison, but I wanted to try it and see how it sounds, just don't want to ruin anything.

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04-14-2009, 03:22 AM	#2
HAMP Banned Top contributor Member since:Oct 2007 Location:Michigan Home Theater Gallery:13 Blu-ray collection:272 Trading Score:1	This is funny that you brought this up! I am in the process of upgrading my bedroom from a HTiB & a upconvertor DVD player. I upgraded to the Sony S-350 and a Denon AVR-789. I'm pretty broke right now and have not upgraded the speakers from the HTiB. The speakers actually sound pretty darn good, but the sub is not powered. I had an older Technic subwoofer(40 watts I think), which has (2) 8inch woofers inside of it. I don't have the outputs like you have on yours, but I did open the powered sub and ran the wires from speakers to the non-powered sub. It's not the greatest, but for the bedroom it's not bad... I will be getting another powered sub, not not sure when... I guess your question is will it ruin anything, mine is playing fine that's all I can tell ya...

04-14-2009, 04:20 AM	#5
tilapiah6 Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jun 2008 Location:South Carolina Home Theater Gallery:40 Blu-ray collection:284 Trading Score:36	I also have a sub from an HTiB that I'd like to put in the corner on the other side of the living room.

04-14-2009, 05:06 AM	#6
martinstraka8282 Expert Member Member since:Jul 2007 4K collection:401 Blu-ray collection:1466 DVD collection:1 Trading Score:1	Thanks for the help guys! I really wasnt impressed with it once I got it to work, I guess thats what to expect from some shitty HTIB passive sub. I'm moving in a new place June 1st, so I'll assess my situation again then to see if I should buy another sub. I'll probably just buy another one of the Yamaha YST SW-315's I have now so they match up. I'm running the Yamaha NS-555's for my fronts, NS-333's for my 4 surrounds, and an NS-c444 for my center, so it's not exactly the highest end equipment anyways... not that it matters living in an old apartment building.

04-14-2009, 07:05 AM	#7
Big Daddy Blu-ray Champion Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Southern California Home Theater Gallery:79 Blu-ray collection:122 Trading Score:1	Make sure the signals from the first subwoofer output are not full range or high frequency signals. If the passive (unpowered) subwoofer has a built-in crossover, use it and set the crossover around 80Hz. If the passive sub does not have a built-in crossover, you may have to buy an external crossover or a dedicated subwoofer amplifier. If you decide to buy an external subwoofer amplifier for it, connect the amplifier to the LFE output of the receiver. If you decide to buy a regular stereo amplifier or decide to connect the subwoofer to the front speaker outputs, then you will definitely need a crossover network as stereo amplifiers do not have crossovers and the signals from the front speakers are full range.

04-15-2009, 12:28 AM	#10
HAMP Banned Top contributor Member since:Oct 2007 Location:Michigan Home Theater Gallery:13 Blu-ray collection:272 Trading Score:1	Oh! I just wanted something simple and quick until I bought a speaker set for the bedroom. It's odd, I really like the sound from the HTiB speakers I have. It's just the sub was not powered. Panasonic SC-HT40 I have added the S-350 and the AVR-789 to the room. I guess I will get the Polk 6750.

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