Adding Pioneer Bookshelves to Vizio Soundbar

[mjohnso9]

I have the Vizio 5.1 soundbar (about three years old).
I also have a set of the Pioneer Andrew Jones bookshelf speakers.

Can I use the Pioneers to replace the two satellite/surround speakers that came with the Vizio soundbar?

If so, do I go from the Vizio subwoofer to my little $25 power amp and into the Pioneers, or will the subwoofer power the speakers?

Look guys, obviously I'm not dealing with anything fancy. It's a studio apartment. Yes, I'd love to throw money at a better setup, but please save the sales pitches (for now).

Thank you.

 

[j_garcia]

In general, the sub will not provide power to the speakers, so sub to amp to speakers is how it would work.

 

[mjohnso9]

In general, the sub will not provide power to the speakers, so sub to amp to speakers is how it would work.

Excellent. Thanks. I was hooking it up this morning but then thought I should ask before I blow anything up. It is possible to send too much power to passive speakers, isn't it? I guess I'm more familiar with guitar amps, but that's a heckuva lot more power, generally.

 

[j_garcia]

What little $25 amp are we talking about? Yes too much power can damage a speaker and technically speaking, when you fry a speaker that is how it happens, but it is generally a function of an amp with insufficient power that is more commonly the reason. Too little power to achieve the output desired and the amp starts doing funny things that aren't good for the drivers. It is rare to fry a speaker with tons of clean undistorted power.

 

[mjohnso9]

A Lepai like this: https://www.parts-express.com/lepai-lp-2020a-tripath-class-t-hi-fi-audio-mini-amplifier-with-power-supply--310-300

Currently I use this with a Amazon bluetooth receiver to steam music on the Pioneer bookshelf speakers. I'd like to swap out the surround speakers on my Vizio soundbar speakers for the Pioneers, so then I'd have those for my TV, and can continue to stream music from my phone/chromebook through the bluetooth receiver on the soundbar.

 

[j_garcia]

Should be fine. I had the BS22s hooked up to my 200W amp without issue.

 

[mjohnso9]

Excellent. I don't know what I thought might happen by having two small power sources on the same chain. Guess I just needed reassurance

I might spring for the Pioneer Andrew Jones center speaker and just get rid of the Vizio system altogether. I hear it's fine without a subwoofer. Think I'd need more power if I add the center speaker?