Speakers Sound Shrill When Connected To Subwoofer

[SunnyOctopus]

I recently purchased an Energy AS-180 from Craigslist. I connected the subwoofer to my computer's 5.1 soundcard's front speaker 3.5mm stereo jack with two rca cables going from the subwoofer's RCA inputs into a RCA-Stereo3.5mm converter into my soundcard's front stereo 3.5 mm jack. Then, I connected my speakers with RCA cables into the subwoofers RCA outputs.

However! When I do this, my speakers sound shrill and I cannot get them to sound how they normally sound (when they are not connected to the subwoofer) while I have them connected to the subwoofer. I can bring the low pass down all the way, but regardless of where I have the low pass set, the speakers sound the same. If I increase the low pass, I can get the subwoofer to play more frequencies, though I do not desire that. The sub plays fine. It just makes my speakers sound bad, and overall my system sounds better without the subwoofer.

I have never used a subwoofer before, but I thought I'd just have to do what I did, and set the low pass to 52hz. However! Even when I set the subwoofer to 50hz, I can still localize it. I can distinguish lyrics of songs through it. D; Now, I'm no scientist, but I think the low pass filter might be broken? It often makes crackling noises when I try and change it. Anyways, please tell me if I'm wrong in thinking so, and what the solution would be, and if I'm right, tell me if the following plan is stupid or clever:

Since the subwoofer plays fine, could I just connect the subwoofer to the subwoofer jack in my computer with another RCA-to-stereo3.5mm converter and then set the settings on my soundcard like this:

Uhh, BLEH! I'm sorry for the horrible wording of everything. I hope someone out there understands what I'm trying to say. Comments and stuff?

Thank you so much. : ]

 

[markw]

I connected my speakers with RCA cables into the subwoofers RCA outputs.

This won't work. You need an amp between the subs RCA outputs and the speakers inputs.

 

[SunnyOctopus]

This won't work. You need an amp between the subs RCA outputs and the speakers inputs.

Oh, so is that the problem? My dad has like a million. I could just use one of those?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Oh, so is that the problem? My dad has like a million. I could just use one of those?

million amps or dollars ?

Besides Energy sub, what are your other speakers? Please don't tell me they are computer multimedia ones

 

[SunnyOctopus]

million amps or dollars ?

Besides Energy sub, what are your other speakers? Please don't tell me they are computer multimedia ones

XD

No, they're not.
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?p=718112#post718112

And, uuhh, could someone please guide me on how I'd get these things hooked up right? What I'd need, what I'd need to do...

I'm kind of excited now! Receiver amp thingies have cool little volume knobs, and stuff... XD

Thank you all so much for your responses and future responses. I really appreciate it. [:

 

[Seth=L]

This won't work. You need an amp between the subs RCA outputs and the speakers inputs.

He does not need an amp, his speakers are self powered.

 

[markw]

I'd now be looking at the connection betweent the line-level sub output and the speaker's input. I don't think it's your standard RCA input.

i.e.. do the same connectons work for a CD/DVD player (or any other line-level source with RCA outputs) to the speakers?

Of course, this all assumes the connection to your computer are copacetic to begin with. I don't do sound cards.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

my 2 humble cents:
Since your sound card is doing bass management (cross-over), there's no need to connect your L/R to sub.
Just connect L/R to front out and Sub to Sub-Out ports on sound card port.
It's most likely 3.5mm port - use regular 3.5mm to stereo RCA cable.
SB typically has center & sub on same 3.5mm port

 

[sholling]

I was going to stay out of this one but now that I have a bit more info here goes. From what you say it looks like you are running the speakers through the sub. I'd run the speakers directly off the sound card's left and right speaker out jack and the sub off the sound card's subwoofer out jack (usually combined with a center out). The adapter cable will cost you like $3 at rat shack.

Maybe you could diagram your setup for us so that we can visualize the connections.

 

[lsiberian]

This is precisely how to do it.