Active subwoofer with active speakers

[HelloNeighbours]

I purchased the z333 Logitech Speakers (https://goo.gl/Qj2crq) a few months ago and while they're pretty good on their own for my use, I was thinking of purchasing a separate active subwoofer as an upgrade. As you may have noticed from their specs, the Logitech speakers aren't very powerful, so I was wondering if the subwoofer I'm thinking of adding, Yamaha YST-SW012 (https://goo.gl/zwYke7), is an overkill and will most likely sound awful with the speakers I already have.

I also have a small room if that helps in any way.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

z333 is 2.1 multimedia system (not active speakers - this means something else), as in subwoofer is integral part of the system. You can't change it.
Based on the review of fairly similar system here: http://noaudiophile.com/Logitech_z313/ I'd say your best course of action is to start over with brand new speakers.

 

[HelloNeighbours]

Excuse my ignorance, I didn't know anything about speakers in general until this evening — and by that I'm not implying that I know much more. Anyway, I wasn't talking about replacing it, I was talking about adding a new one to the already existent speakers.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Excuse my ignorance, I didn't know anything about speakers in general until this evening — and by that I'm not implying that I know much more. Anyway, I wasn't talking about replacing it, I was talking about adding a new one to the already existent speakers.

Yes, it's cool that you've joined and asking question. This is crucial.
I perfectly understood your question. You could ran another active subwoofer in parallel to your 2.1 system, but I think it would be wasted effort and it would be very hard to integrate to have system which sounds well enough together.
Again, I highly recommend to replace your existing 2.1 and start with decent 2.0 system, expanding to 2.1 later on.

 

[HelloNeighbours]

Can you link me any articles/forum posts related to that? Preferably a budget choice because, as you may have noticed, I was not looking to spend much in the first place. After looking up how much speakers generally cost, I have come to the conclusion that I may need to sell my soul to Satan to buy some.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Can you link me any articles/forum posts related to that? Preferably a budget choice because, as you may have noticed, I was not looking to spend much in the first place. After looking up how much speakers generally cost, I have come to the conclusion that I may need to sell my soul to Satan to buy some.

I personally take pride in recommending good speakers on every budget, doesn't matter how low.
These speakers aren't going to make you sell your arm/leg:
http://noaudiophile.com/Swan_D1010-IV/
These would sound 100 times better (especially after free DSP fixes) than your current system.
If you're patient - you could buy them under $80:
https://camelcamelcamel.com/Swan-Speakers-D1010-IVB-Bluetooth-Bookshelf/product/B0058QMRCK

 

[HelloNeighbours]

So it'd be much better if I bought these and then added a subwoofer sometime in the future?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

So it'd be much better if I bought these and then added a subwoofer sometime in the future?

yes

 

[HelloNeighbours]

Thank you for your time.

 

[lovinthehd]

@HelloNeighbours (and hello and welcome neighbor while we're at it) you sort of have an active speaker set, in that you don't need an external amplifier; it appears the amps are housed in the Logitech sub rather than one of the speakers like the Swan. I don't see a way to easily add anything to the Z333 set, tho, as it provides no options for connections. That Yamaha sub is also quite limited in options for integration with other gear, more suited to connection to a system that has some bass management (the Yamaha sub has a single rca input and a volume control, not even a low pass filter).

@BoredSysAdmin those Swan active speakers look interesting but don't look particularly friendly with that custom DIN connector to adding a typical sub later.

You usually do need to spend a bit of money to get gear with better interchangeability options....

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Op could possibly get a sub with low level inputs and outputs. Another option would be y splitter and f-mod filter.

 

[HelloNeighbours]

I would use a splitter for the subwoofer and the speakers; I usually get a bit creative. Although a quick search about low/high level outputs confused me more than it helped, I'll look up all the details before I buy any new speakers (that's why I'm posting here anyway).

I'm not sure how using splitters may diminish quality but, seriously now, I'm using the Logitech z333 speakers and I find their quality just fine for my needs, so while you may consider them garbage, I don't need an expensive, amazing system. I'm just a cheap bastard trying to get something that will sound good to me.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Although a quick search about low/high level outputs confused me more than it helped,
I'm not sure how using splitters may diminish quality but, seriously now, I'm using the Logitech z333 speakers and I find their quality just fine for my needs, so while you may consider them garbage, I don't need an expensive, amazing system. I'm just a cheap bastard trying to get something that will sound good to me.

On the photo below from Monoprice $100 12" sub: Do you see RCA Line In and Line out - these are low-level inputs. As in NOT High-Level (or speakers level) inputs/outputs on the left.
You would connect your source (pc I assume) to rca line in and use sub's line out to connect to your speakers.

If you want to save even more start scouring local craigslist until you find a good deal.

 

[HelloNeighbours]

Doesn't that risk creating delay though in comparison to connecting everything with a Y splitter?

Edit: that subwoofer looks good, hopefully Amazon will have everything available for shipping to my country.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Doesn't that risk creating delay though in comparison to connecting everything with a Y splitter?

A delay from what? it's all analog stuff. You would benefit from using a crossover - it would prevent sending low-bass to your main speakers, making overall sound a bit cleaner

 

[HelloNeighbours]

I was just wondering, I didn't have anything specific in mind.