Extra Amp needed to power a subwoofer? - Blu-ray Forum

Amon37 · 03-01-2007, 06:28 PM

I have a friend who does not have a powered subwoofer. The only way to get the subwoofer to work is to run the wires from the two front speakers into the subwoofer and then out of the subwoofer to the front speakers. This of course does not put much power to the sub and front speakers. Is there something he can run after the receiver to put more power to subwoofer and front speakers?

ProvenFlipper · 03-01-2007, 06:34 PM

I would get an external 2 ch amp to power the subwoofer. Run the fronts off of the reciever as usual, but using the pre-outs on the receiver send the signal to a 2 ch external amp to power the sub.

DavePS3 · 03-01-2007, 07:19 PM

Yup, Flip is right.

Amon37 · 03-01-2007, 07:31 PM

Here is the problem I think I'm seeing.

He has this receiver Sony STR-DG500

I don't think it has the pre-outs that flip is mentioning so it looks like he would need a new receiver as well?

Also can you recommend a fairly good 2-ch amp?

DavePS3 · 03-01-2007, 07:36 PM

Use Mid/Tape out

sticks4legs · 03-01-2007, 07:39 PM

Or you could hook up to Speaker B posts if you don't want to have another pre amp. Just watch the resistance on the sub

Amon37 · 03-01-2007, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavePS3

Use Mid/Tape out

Thanks, great info so far, I never fail to learn something from you guys everyday.

Any amp recommendations?

Amon37 · 03-01-2007, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sticks4legs

Or you could hook up to Speaker B posts if you don't want to have another pre amp. Just watch the resistance on the sub

He wants another amp because he wants the sub to hit hard, but that could be a secondary idea.

ProvenFlipper · 03-01-2007, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amon37

He wants another amp because he wants the sub to hit hard, but that could be a secondary idea.

Is it a really nice subwoofer? If not, he might be better off buying a new powered subwoofer, which might be cheaper than buying an external amp powerful enough to really make his subwoofer hit hard.

DavePS3 · 03-01-2007, 07:46 PM

The only downside you may run into is that you'll have to adjust the volume on the sub's amp everytime you alter the volume on the first receiver. In other words, the two volumes will be independant.

DavePS3 · 03-01-2007, 07:53 PM

Good point, Flip. If you have an old receiver kicking around, you can use that. Use any input except Phono!

Amon37 · 03-01-2007, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProvenFlipper

Is it a really nice subwoofer? If not, he might be better off buying a new powered subwoofer, which might be cheaper than buying an external amp powerful enough to really make his subwoofer hit hard.

I don't think so but I'm getting the specs tomorrow. That's why I wanted to some examples of amps so I could show him the amp cost versus just getting a powered subwoofer.

Amon37 · 03-01-2007, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavePS3

The only downside you may run into is that you'll have to adjust the volume on the sub's amp everytime you alter the volume on the first receiver. In other words, the two volumes will be independant.

That's sounds annoying. I'll bring the point up to him as well.

03-01-2007, 06:28 PM	#1
Amon37 Power Member Member since:Jan 2007 Location:USA,Arizona PSNetwork: Amon37	Extra Amp needed to power a subwoofer? I have a friend who does not have a powered subwoofer. The only way to get the subwoofer to work is to run the wires from the two front speakers into the subwoofer and then out of the subwoofer to the front speakers. This of course does not put much power to the sub and front speakers. Is there something he can run after the receiver to put more power to subwoofer and front speakers?

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03-01-2007, 06:34 PM	#2
ProvenFlipper Special Member Member since:Jun 2006 Home Theater Gallery:4 4K collection:332 Blu-ray collection:898 Trading Score:1	I would get an external 2 ch amp to power the subwoofer. Run the fronts off of the reciever as usual, but using the pre-outs on the receiver send the signal to a 2 ch external amp to power the sub.

03-01-2007, 07:19 PM	#3
DavePS3 Blu-ray Guru Member since:Jan 2007 Location:Toronto Home Theater Gallery:56 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:1	Yup, Flip is right.

03-01-2007, 07:31 PM	#4
Amon37 Power Member Member since:Jan 2007 Location:USA,Arizona PSNetwork: Amon37	Here is the problem I think I'm seeing. He has this receiver Sony STR-DG500 I don't think it has the pre-outs that flip is mentioning so it looks like he would need a new receiver as well? Also can you recommend a fairly good 2-ch amp?

03-01-2007, 07:36 PM	#5
DavePS3 Blu-ray Guru Member since:Jan 2007 Location:Toronto Home Theater Gallery:56 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:1	Use Mid/Tape out

03-01-2007, 07:39 PM	#6
sticks4legs Member Member since:Feb 2007	Or you could hook up to Speaker B posts if you don't want to have another pre amp. Just watch the resistance on the sub

03-01-2007, 07:46 PM	#10
DavePS3 Blu-ray Guru Member since:Jan 2007 Location:Toronto Home Theater Gallery:56 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:1	The only downside you may run into is that you'll have to adjust the volume on the sub's amp everytime you alter the volume on the first receiver. In other words, the two volumes will be independant.

03-01-2007, 07:53 PM	#11
DavePS3 Blu-ray Guru Member since:Jan 2007 Location:Toronto Home Theater Gallery:56 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:1	Good point, Flip. If you have an old receiver kicking around, you can use that. Use any input except Phono!

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