What's the deal with speaker level inputs on my subwoofer?

[Kyle McKnight]

So I've been reading up a lot lately on LFE/Line-in/speaker-level inputs for subwoofers.

Mine does not have an LFE input, and I've always used the line-in L/R inputs. But I've read some palces that say it's better to use the speaker-level inputs since the sub would then receive the same signal as the front speakers. I've also read that's not the best way to go.

Anyway, I just wanted to try it to see what I like better, but I'm not sure about how to go about hooking it up.

I have a Pioneer vsx-521 receiver and from what I've read, I need to run a second set of speaker wires from the same outputs as my front L/R speakers into the sub's L/R inputs. If this is the route I have to go, then I've read conflicting articles on whether they should be run in series or in parallel and of course I'd prefer not to damage my receiver or speakers! So which is the proper way and while I know the "idea" behind parallel and series wiring, I don't know actually how to apply it so if there are images of a speaker setup out there to show exactly how to do it that would be great.

BUT, I also have front speakers that support bi-amping. I know what bi-amping is, but is it possitlbe to just run the outputs from the receiver, into the inputs of the front speakers, and then from the second set on the front to the sub? Or are those ONLY inputs and can't act as outputs?

 

[markw]

If your receiver has a subwoofer output, use one (or both, with a "Y" splitter) line level inputs, disable the crossover controls on the sub (or set them to the highest number) and use your receiver to control it.

Speaker level inputs are good if you don't have a sub out on your receiver or are putting it into a stereo only system without line level outputs.

 

[Kyle McKnight]

I do appreciate the answer, but I did state in my original post that that is indeed what I currently do, but for the sake of trying it out and finding which I like better I'd still like to try it as I've heard from some people reasons why it might be better and I'd just like to be able to decide for myself

 

[markw]

Well, go for it then. Just run both the sub and your speakers from the same amplifier speaker terminal. Or simply read your subwoofers instruction manual. Since you didn't bother to tell us what sub you have you can't really expect too much more than that. Not all subs are created equal.

Report back with your findings.

Just make sure you tell your receiver you don't have a subwoofer.

Oh, you run it in parallel. Where did you get that series thing from?

 

[Kyle McKnight]

I hope to be able if I get an answer here on the wiring, thanks

 

[markw]

You just did. You just don't realize it.

 

[Kyle McKnight]

Well I see that you mentioned running it in parallel, and as stated in the original post, I know the theory behind how electricy works in parallel and in a series, I don't know how to apply it and how the wires should be connected physically.

Can I just take twist together the positives and negatives for both the front speakers and wires together and then put them in the single outputs on the receiver?

Unfortunately the only thing I see online is for subs that have both inputs and outputs so you'd go from the output of the reciever to input of sub and from output of sub to input of front speakers. Every place I've read says you can do this with just the inputs on a sub, but no one explains the physical wiring of it.

 

[KEW]

If you are not using bannana plugs for your speakers, probably the best thing to do is to twist the wires from the receiver and to the sub together at the speaker terminal. In other words, twist the wires together and use the speaker terminal to "clamp" and hold them tight.
If you are bi-wiring you could do this with either of the wires running from your receiver/amp to speaker.

I'm suggesting this with the idea that your sub is not too far from the speakers.

 

[Kyle McKnight]

So receiver output to front speakers (where i then twist new wires together with them and clamp them on the speaker itself) and then from the speaker to the sub?

Though I do also have banana plugs so I could just go from receiver to banana plugs in speaker, and then just put two more banana plugs in those banana plugs and go to the sub?

Thank you!

 

[Nestor]

Well I see that you mentioned running it in parallel, and as stated in the original post, I know the theory behind how electricy works in parallel and in a series, I don't know how to apply it and how the wires should be connected physically.

Can I just take twist together the positives and negatives for both the front speakers and wires together and then put them in the single outputs on the receiver?

Unfortunately the only thing I see online is for subs that have both inputs and outputs so you'd go from the output of the reciever to input of sub and from output of sub to input of front speakers. Every place I've read says you can do this with just the inputs on a sub, but no one explains the physical wiring of it.

The speaker level inputs do nothing but bring the voltage back down for processing and amplification by your sub. They serve no purpose other than to allow you to use the sub in a system where line level outputs are unavailable. Your current configuration is the preferred one.

Your inexperience with wiring compels me to advise you against this experiment. At best, you will do no harm to your system. At worst, you make a wiring error and toast your receiver due to shorting an output.

Save yourself the potential grief. You aren't missing anything.






Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[KEW]

So receiver output to front speakers (where i then twist new wires together with them and clamp them on the speaker itself) and then from the speaker to the sub?

Though I do also have banana plugs so I could just go from receiver to banana plugs in speaker, and then just put two more banana plugs in those banana plugs and go to the sub?

Thank you!

"Piggy backing" the banana plugs is the easy way and should work fine.
I do agree that using the speaker level inputs on the sub is a poor option. Every sub setup I have read says to only use the speaker levels inputs if you do not have the means to connect via line level.
However, there is no substitute for trying it yourself (I appreciate skepticism). Just keep your connections "clean"!

 

[Kyle McKnight]

OK great, thank you guys!