Help connecting subwoofer to powered speakers

[andyp1723]

Howdy everyone, i know nothing about anything, but I am trying to get a decent speaker system put together. Right now I have audio engine A5's, and I just bought a bic V1020 subwoofer. Since my speakers are powered I do not have a receiver, and can not find any instructions on how to connect this subwoofer to powered speakers. I thought it would just be an RCA line from 'audio out' port on the speakers to the 'sub in' rca port on the sub. A normal size rca cable only fits into the sub with some force applied, and even with this connection, there is no response from the sub. Please help!

Semper Fi.

 

[Adam]

Welcome to the forum!

I looked up both the speakers and the sub online, and you'll have to let me know if your speakers are different from what I found because you mention an "audio out" port. The ones that I found have two "SUB OUT" RCA jacks, which would be perfect for what you want to do.

Here's what I would do. Connect both the left and right "SUB OUT" RCA jacks on the A5 panel to the "SUB IN" RCA jack on the sub using a y-splitter cable.

For starters, set the "POWER" switch on the sub to "ON" to rule out any issues with the auto-on sensor. Set the crossover dial on the sub to the highest possible number (looks like that is fully clockwise). Start with the volume on the sub turned all the way down, then slowly turn it up until you begin to hear it and then adjust to your tastes. We can discuss level-matching the sub and adjusting the crossover once you get it working.

Audio Engine A5 back panels

Bic V1020 back panel

 

[andyp1723]

Thank you very much for your help. I have done everything you've said, however, I am still getting nothing from the sub. Do I need a special kind of split RCA cable (just using the one that came with my speakers, with a split red/white on one end). If not I guess the problem lies with the subwoofer?

 

[Adam]

Happy to help when I can!

Do I need a special kind of split RCA cable (just using the one that came with my speakers, with a split red/white on one end). If not I guess the problem lies with the subwoofer?

The problem might be the sub, but we can troubleshoot that. First, I have a question to check if things are being hooked up correctly. You don't need a special cable, but I want to check something. You mentioned that you're using the cable that came with your speakers. Are you using a cable that isn't shown in the picture below (from Audio Engine's site)?

Thanks.

 

[andyp1723]

No sir, i'm using the cord at the very bottom of that picture, but the one I have has a male red/white end to plug into my speakers.

 

[Adam]

No sir, i'm using the cord at the very bottom of that picture, but the one I have has a male red/white end to plug into my speakers.

Hi. That's what I wanted to check. If I'm understanding you correctly, then you are trying to plug the wrong type of connector into your sub.

The subwoofer input is an RCA connection, while that cord at the very bottom of the picture has a 1/8" stereo minijack connector. That just won't work.

I was going to post a link to an example cable in my first post, but I couldn't find one at the time. Below is a sample image of what you'd want, which is a cable with one male RCA connector on one end and two male RCA connectors on the other end. You could also always just get a y-adapter and a separate cable, too. Radio Shack or other stores would have these cables.

 

[Lemonade]

Lol, I had deja vu when I saw this thread. I own a pair of Audioengine A5s, and I just bought a v-1020 as well! It hasn't arrived yet though. I must have a newer version of the A5s, cause I just got it and mine says "Line Out", not "Sub Out".

My pair of A5's shipped with a different type of RCA cable--two male to two male. I should be able to use that cable without a problem, correct? I have never had a sub before, and I'm not even sure if the "from reciever" connections are just binding posts, or binding posts combined with RCA. And I don't even know if it will work since the input is coming from my speakers, not a reciever. Any info on this?

One thing I noticed, you guys said the sub has a RCA sub in. I don't think that is RCA, if you look at the picture closely it looks like a 1\8 connection.

Anyway, as a backup plan I have a 2 male RCA to 1 male 1\8 cable.

Also, would you recommend running the audio through the sub first, or should I take advantage of my speakers "line out"?

And, one last thing...assuming you got it working, how do you like your new setup Andy? I love my A5s and I can't wait for my sub.