adding a powered subwoofer

[mguy]

Hi, I have an older onkyo amp/preamp combo, and would like to add a powered subwoofer.

It does not have any input for any.

Any ideas to make this work , if possible ?


Thanks.

[Kamakiri]

Welcome aboard!

I did the same thing myself....what I did was use one of those converters as is used in car stereos to connect the regular speaker outputs to a subwoofer. Costs about $12 from Radio Shack, and works perfectly! I've got mine hooked up between my SX-1250 and my Velodyne CHT-12 subwoofer in the living room :)

[Shain]

Is it a harness adapter thing that has RCA plugs on one end, and just wires on the other ?

[WildWest]

Active sub? Doesn't it have a line level in on its amp so you can use its crossover?

[Yamahaluver]

Originally posted by mguy
Hi, I have an older onkyo amp/preamp combo, and would like to add a powered subwoofer.

It does not have any input for any.

Any ideas to make this work , if possible ?


Thanks.

Most good subs like the M&K and Yamaha YST series have their own built in adjustable crossovers and you can connect your main amps power cables to the subs and then connect your main speakers from the sub outs. This way you can direct the sub crossover signals according to your capabilities of your main speakers.

[ProAc_Fan]

Yeah mguy most subs have both line level and speaker level inputs on the rear. You run the speaker cable into the sub and then out from the sub to your main speakers. Then you can adjust the crossover so your main speakers only "see" frequencies above a certain point like say 60hz.

Mike

[reyneman]

If your sub has line-level inputs (has its own amp), run inteconnects from your preamp to the subwoofer amp inputs, then from the subwoofer amp outputs to your Onkyo amp input. This will remove the lower frequencies from the signal to your amp.

An alternative to a powered sub is an amp designed specifically for driving subwoofers, such as the NHT SW-1/2/3 or equivalent. Again, go from preamp to subwoofer amp to your main amp. This separate SW Amps have variable corssovers and levels to adjust the overall balance of your system.

As an aside, in many cases, by remoing the high load of the lowest frequencies from your main amp and speakers, there is usually a notable improvement in resolution and clarity. Of course, this is from an individual who LIKES using a separate subwoofer, so your and others' mileage may vary.

[Mr Natural]

Buy an SVS sub.

I've had my 20-39PC+ for 3 weeks now and it moves alot of air at low frequencies. It's flat to 20hz (-3db). I now want a second one for the other side of the room. This is serious bass responce.
525 wrms amp .

You can hook your speaker outputs to it and then out to your mains and use the crossover to fine tune it, a bit, to the room.


:cool:

[WildWest]

Ditto on the SVS. HEY wouldn't you know it? I got my SVS T-shirt on right now! Yup I love my SVS sub. Great performance and bishin look too. :boink:

[Thatch_Ear]

If you mean that your amp does not have a sub output you can use a tape out with a Y to go from stereo to mono with full signal. The powered sub will have it's own crossover so you don't have to worry about that but I would get one with a remote because you will not be able to adjust it from your amp.
If that is not what you meant then nevermind my rambling.