Hook sub to TV optical audio out?

[zaylyn]

I have a new LCD TV with pretty good speakers, and am not particularly interested in a surround sound system. But I miss the deep base of a subwoofer. My TV has a digital optical audio "OUT". Is there any way I can direct that output to a subwoofer and use my TV speakers plus the subwoofer? I also need a small size subwoofer to fit behind my corner cabinet. Thanks for suggestions!

 

[Davemcc]

You will need a receiver to process the digital signal and decode the subwoofer signal information.

 

[Hi Ho]

You don't necessarily need a receiver but you couldn't use the digital out. All you would need to do is connect the analog audio output to the input on a sub and set the sub crossover wherever it sounds best.

 

[no. 5]

You don't necessarily need a receiver but you couldn't use the digital out. All you would need to do is connect the analog audio output to the input on a sub and set the sub crossover wherever it sounds best.

And hope that the TV's analog outs aren't fixed level.

 

[j_garcia]

I've done this with a spare sub and it works fairly well, as long as you can select variable vs fixed output as no.5 mentioned.

 

[Hi Ho]

And hope that the TV's analog outs aren't fixed level.

Very true. Also hope that the analog outputs are active at the same time as the TV speakers. Some Sony sets do not have this ability.