Sub Woofer connection

C

crossal

Audiophyte
I am trying to wire my sub woofer, I have a basic in wall component panel that will allow me to use either standard speaker wire or CAT cable and my sub uses standard audio connectors. I have tried both the speaker wire and CAT cable, but am unable to get the sub to work. When I plug the speaker wire or the CAT cable using an audio adaptor I get impedence (Speaker static) but no sub. The distance from my receiver to the sub is approximately 22 feet. What am I doing wrong or what can I do to get it to work?

Receiver and sub is an Onkyo NR905b

Thanks
 
M

markw

Audioholic Overlord
curioser and curioser.

Subs generally require a coaxial cable terminated with RCA connecters to attach to the receiver's LFE/sub output so, technically, neither of the wires are "correct".

But, if you can somehow correctly put RCA connectors onto both ends of one of them, it should pass sound.

I have no idea what this "audio adapter" or "impedance" or "static" you refer to is.

If push comes to shove, you can purchase an audio interconnect of suitable length with RCA plugs on the ends for a pittance and run it externally from the walls.
 
engtaz

engtaz

Full Audioholic
What model is you sub. Does it take speaker level inputs? If so use those. Nice AVR.


engtaz
 
C

crossal

Audiophyte
Sub Woofer

I connected the speaker wire to audio adapters and tried it, no luck. My sub has one connector on the back, from an odler Onkyo receiver, so I am just going to upgrade to an in floor/Ceiling sub.

Thanks for the help
 
Midcow2

Midcow2

Banned
speaker wire should work fine!

I am trying to wire my sub woofer, I have a basic in wall component panel that will allow me to use either standard speaker wire or CAT cable and my sub uses standard audio connectors. I have tried both the speaker wire and CAT cable, but am unable to get the sub to work. When I plug the speaker wire or the CAT cable using an audio adaptor I get impedence (Speaker static) but no sub. The distance from my receiver to the sub is approximately 22 feet. What am I doing wrong or what can I do to get it to work?

Receiver and sub is an Onkyo NR905b

Thanks
Speaker wire should work fine.

If you don't have a volt-ohm meter it might be time to buy one.


Connect the wires as follows

RCA plug


Outer Connector end 1 .......... wire 1 ...............Outer Connector end 2
Center connector end 1 .......... wire 2 .............. center connector end 2


Here is an adapter that might help:
http://www.connectworld.net/cgi-bin/ccc/L7422-01

Just make sure you get the wires correct at each end; cent to center and outer to outer.
 
M

markw

Audioholic Overlord
I guess you don't really care about fixing this.

AS I suggested earlier, spend a few pennies on a cheap audio interconnect (It doesn't have to be an "official subwoofer cable") and try running it directly from the receiver to the sub with no "audio adapters", whatever those are.

If you can't even make this effort yourself to try to isolate this problem, why should we waste any more of our time?
 
Midcow2

Midcow2

Banned
good suggestion

AS I suggested earlier, spend a few pennies on a cheap audio interconnect (It doesn't have to be an "official subwoofer cable") and try running it directly from the receiver to the sub with no "audio adapters", whatever those are.

If you can't even make this effort yourself to try to isolate this problem, why should we waste any more of our time?
Markw makes a great suggestion. Make sure your subwoofer and AVR connection work first.
 
TLS Guy

TLS Guy

Audioholic Jedi
I am trying to wire my sub woofer, I have a basic in wall component panel that will allow me to use either standard speaker wire or CAT cable and my sub uses standard audio connectors. I have tried both the speaker wire and CAT cable, but am unable to get the sub to work. When I plug the speaker wire or the CAT cable using an audio adaptor I get impedence (Speaker static) but no sub. The distance from my receiver to the sub is approximately 22 feet. What am I doing wrong or what can I do to get it to work?

Receiver and sub is an Onkyo NR905b

Thanks
I would use a 50 ohm RCA terminated cable. Your other cables are not shielded and will pick up induced hum and other interference. I have never seen good results using non shielded cable between unbalanced high impedance inputs, and especially for a sub, which will make induced hum very audible.
 
AVRat

AVRat

Audioholic Ninja
My sub has one connector on the back, from an odler Onkyo receiver, so I am just going to upgrade to an in floor/Ceiling sub.

Thanks for the help
That may work for you since most of those systems use an outboard amp and speaker wire to the sub box.
 
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