2nd Zone Subwoofer - Klipsch AW-650

[RobertJR]

Thanks for the add, I've always read threads on here for advice but this is my first post. Advice is appreciated, thanks in advance ‼

I have an Onkyo TX-NR929, running the Klipsch AW-650s outside on Zone 2, & primarily listen to Spotify outside. Every so often, I'll connect my projector and use those outdoor speakers for a movie outside. I have learned that I do in fact later want an upgrade and will add a pre-out amplifier for these two speakers, but that's not until later.

As for my question, a neighbor of mine gave me a Polk PSW10, and it has pretty good reviews. I understand this is an indoor sub but I have what I need indoors already and I certainly don't want a 10 inch for my indoor home theater (and I don't want it to go to waste, lol). I thought I'd throw it outside for some added/needed bass, and probably upgrade to an outdoor sub later. For now I want to put this on my deck under a chair at a corner. From what I have learned, the best connection is likely to run the speaker wire from Zone 2 to the sub and my Klipsch to the speaker level output on the sub. Ideally, is this the best connection for now? Any advice on a better or ideal connection is appreciated (if there is one) for my NR929. Thanks Again!

 

[lovinthehd]

Probably best way to go about it, zones generally don't have a sub pre-out. Not sure what you mean by getting a "pre-out amplifier"....

 

[mx416]

If you have the setup as you have wrote and i understand it, then all you need is a RCA wireless transmitter.

I use this to get signal to my outdoor sub.

Wireless Audio Adapter | SVS SoundPath Audio Accessories

Add wireless audio connectivity to subwoofers, speakers, amplifiers and more. Transmits pristine audio signal up to 65’ at CD quality.

www.svsound.com

just plug one transmitter into the zone 2 RCA outs on the TX-929NR and the other transmitter into the RCA of the subwoofer outside. Just be careful, transmitting distance can be limited.

There should be no need to do anything with your current zone two speaker wires. Leave them going from the TX-929NR to the klipsch.

 

[RobertJR]

Probably best way to go about it, zones generally don't have a sub pre-out. Not sure what you mean by getting a "pre-out amplifier"....

... Mighty said it wrong, Basically just a power amp.

 

[RobertJR]

If you have the setup as you have wrote and i understand it, then all you need is a RCA wireless transmitter.

I use this to get signal to my outdoor sub.

Wireless Audio Adapter | SVS SoundPath Audio Accessories

Add wireless audio connectivity to subwoofers, speakers, amplifiers and more. Transmits pristine audio signal up to 65’ at CD quality.

www.svsound.com

just plug one transmitter into the zone 2 RCA outs on the TX-929NR and the other transmitter into the RCA of the subwoofer outside. Just be careful, transmitting distance can be limited.

There should be no need to do anything with your current zone two speaker wires. Leave them going from the TX-929NR to the klipsch.

... I didn't think the second zone had RCA outs? Gotta look, but would not be too far.

 

[lovinthehd]

... I didn't think the second zone had RCA outs? Gotta look, but would not be too far.

Well now that I look your avr does have rca outputs for zones but not pre-outs for a power amp, they're line-outs intended for integrated amps (so in a way your description of a pre-amp wasn't too far off). I have used a sub with a wireless transmitter on the avr's sub pre-out to take a sub outside with (but playing same content as main zone).

 

[mx416]

The TX-NR929 has rca outputs for Zone 2. Anytime Zone 2 is ON they are getting signal. Just use the transmitter and you are good to go.

 

[lovinthehd]

The TX-NR929 has rca outputs for Zone 2. Anytime Zone 2 is ON they are getting signal. Just use the transmitter and you are good to go.

Yes but they're line-outs so no volume control from the avr unfortunately.

 

[mx416]

Yes but they're line/-outs so no volume control from the avr unfortunately.
[/QUOTEAre we sure they are line outs and not pre-out? My 4300H Is pre out in the same situation. is the onkyo different?

 

[lovinthehd]

Yes, per your manual as well as the labels with the jacks on the rear of the unit....say line out. The manual indicates if using other than the internal amps for zones, then you would go this route.

ps fwiw my various avrs with output for zones are all pre-outs, not line-outs.

 

[RobertJR]

Yes but they're line-outs so no volume control from the avr unfortunately.

I guess I can live with that. I listen at about same volume all the time anyway. So anytime I need to adjust, I just need to adjust volume from the sub huh?

 

[lovinthehd]

I guess I can live with that. I listen at about same volume all the time anyway. So anytime I need to adjust, I just need to adjust volume from the sub huh?

Yes, that would be the alternative....or just use the high level/speaker level connections and enjoy volume control.

 

[RobertJR]

The TX-NR929 has rca outputs for Zone 2. Anytime Zone 2 is ON they are getting signal. Just use the transmitter and you are good to go.

As others are saying tho, with no volume control correct? I'd probably be ok with that as volume fluctuations won't be too often anyway.

 

[RobertJR]

Yes, that would be the alternative....or just use the high level/speaker level connections and enjoy volume control.

Good point, I was thinking the same. I'm thinking of just cutting existing speaker wires & plug this sub between the Klipsch & the AVR.... I have read people have good results with this option especially since the Polk has the speaker in/out already.

 

[RobertJR]

Yeah not only did I see the back of my AVR to confirm, but as others are pointing out, the are line out. Someone even posted the screenshot of the rear AVR, in fact reads, line out.

I just learned through this wonderful thread of the difference. I always assumed it was there for a power amp... Guess not

 

[lovinthehd]

Yeah not only did I see the back of my AVR to confirm, but as others are pointing out, the are line out. Someone even posted the screenshot of the rear AVR, in fact reads, line out.

I just learned through this wonderful thread of the difference. I always assumed it was there for a power amp... Guess not

Most use pre-outs even for zones, but there are some line-out models out there. Depends on your use as to whether that might be useful or not....

ps one advantage might be to have bass management in the other zone....

 

[RobertJR]

Well now that I look your avr does have rca outputs for zones but not pre-outs for a power amp, they're line-outs intended for integrated amps (so in a way your description of a pre-amp wasn't too far off). I have used a sub with a wireless transmitter on the avr's sub pre-out to take a sub outside with (but playing same content as main zone).

You're saying I could not listen to different music on Zone 2 compared to the main zone with the sub? Really?

 

[lovinthehd]

You're saying I could not listen to different music on Zone 2 compared to the main zone with the sub? Really?

Yes, if you hooked it up the way I did with that particular avr if you played different content than main zone the sub's signal was still from the main zone....as the zone itself didn't have provision for a sub. As I added to the other post, if you did have a separate avr/integrated amp for your 929's zone line outs, you could possibly have bass management for the second zone separate from main zone. Generally the intent of zones is to enable different choices in each zone for content, but there are limitations to that as well (due drm for example).

 

[RobertJR]

Yes, if you hooked it up the way I did with that particular avr if you played different content than main zone the sub's signal was still from the main zone....as the zone itself didn't have provision for a sub. As I added to the other post, if you did have a separate avr/integrated amp for your 929's zone line outs, you could possibly have bass management for the second zone separate from main zone. Generally the intent of zones is to enable different choices in each zone for content, but there are limitations to that as well (due drm for example).

Good to know, thanks! I can deal with that... Now I won't be surprised when my family watching movie/TV inside. But if I'm only using zone 2 and the main zone is off that would be fine correct?

 

[lovinthehd]

Good to know, thanks! I can deal with that... Now I won't be surprised when my family watching movie/TV inside. But if I'm only using zone 2 and the main zone is off that would be fine correct?

Using your high level/speaker connections using the avr's amps for zone, that would be separate from the main zone (or using an integrated amp/avr with the line outs on zone connections).

In my specific example I just used the main zone sub pre-out as I already had the transmitter and sub it matched up to in use in the workshop (main zone for that avr), just needed to carry the sub outside and was using same content as main zone in any case....I only need to worry about being in one place at a time