Adding an Active Subwoofer to my Speaker Setup??

[kingster129]

Hey guys, I'm kind of a newbie when it comes to speakers and I'm sure some of you could answer this.

I recently purchased an amp/passive speaker combo but am wanting to add an active subwoofer.

I have this amp: http://i.seimg.net/images/386269/big/pta1400.jpg
(1400W bridged @ 8 ohms or 350W per channel @ 8 ohms)

The two passive speakers are 200W RMS, 800W peak, also 8 ohms: Behringer B212XL 800-Watt 2-Way PA Speaker System

I'm looking to get this powered subwoofer: BIC Acoustech PL-200 2013 - TopTenREVIEWS
(1000W peak and does 250W RMS)

Am I able to buy that subwoofer and hook it up with those speakers and the amp? Would it go ipod>amp>sub>speakers? And is that even possible?

Thank you for reading I am desperate for an answer!!

P.S.
If this does work would it be something like this? - (from amp out) bridged SpeakOn to banana plug (subwoofer in), then banana plug (from subwoofer out) to SpeakOn (speaker in)?
My amp doesn't have crossover options but my subwoofer does is that fine?
Thanks!

 

[kingster129]

edit: I'm now leaning towards the HSU STF-2: STF-2 Subwoofer
Has the same plugs as the PL-200 and the STF has a 200W RMS built in amp.

Also I should add: my amplifier doesn't give me the option for low frequency crossover... but the subwoofer has a knob for crossover...does that mean I don't need a 2-way crossover from my amp?

 

[manwithnocape]

you would be sending a amplified signal to a amplified unit... not a great idea.

you need some signal processing... get a DAC. i dont know what your budget is so it's hard to recommend anything. i have a xda-1 and it works really well, this years replacement is the xda-2.

looks like you are trying to do things on a budget, so buy used.

 

[Adam]

Welcome to the forum!

Am I able to buy that subwoofer and hook it up with those speakers and the amp? Would it go ipod>amp>sub>speakers? And is that even possible?

Yep, you can certainly do that.

If this does work would it be something like this? - (from amp out) bridged SpeakOn to banana plug (subwoofer in), then banana plug (from subwoofer out) to SpeakOn (speaker in)?

No, but you can make it work. I'd suggest using the speaker-level binding post outputs from the amp (not bridged, if I'm understanding your set up correctly), run both the right and left speaker outputs from the amp to the speaker-level inputs on the sub, then run the speaker-level outputs on the sub to the speakers. I've never done speaker-level to 1/4" connectors before, and I'm not very familiar with PA speakers, but it seems that the 1/4" inputs on the speakers are for speaker-level power - so I think it would be okay.

I sure hope someone else chimes in on this, though. I'll report back if I do more research myself.

My amp doesn't have crossover options but my subwoofer does is that fine?

Yep, you'll control the crossover using the subwoofer.

 

[kingster129]

you would be sending a amplified signal to a amplified unit... not a great idea.

you need some signal processing... get a DAC. i dont know what your budget is so it's hard to recommend anything. i have a xda-1 and it works really well, this years replacement is the xda-2.

looks like you are trying to do things on a budget, so buy used.

So would it be like... amplifier>DAC>lows to sub; highs to speakers? I really don't want to spend much more money on my setup. If I get a low grade DAC will it be able to handle the amp's 1400W?

---
EDIT
---

Welcome to the forum!


Yep, you can certainly do that.


No, but you can make it work. I'd suggest using the speaker-level binding post outputs from the amp (not bridged, if I'm understanding your set up correctly), run both the right and left speaker outputs from the amp to the speaker-level inputs on the sub, then run the speaker-level outputs on the sub to the speakers. I've never done speaker-level to 1/4" connectors before, and I'm not very familiar with PA speakers, but it seems that the 1/4" inputs on the speakers are for speaker-level power - so I think it would be okay.

I sure hope someone else chimes in on this, though. I'll report back if I do more research myself.


Yep, you'll control the crossover using the subwoofer.

Thanks! That sounds a heck of a lot better than buying a whole other receiver.

I've got two different answers though... I'm kinda worried about running both left and right channels from my amp (1400W) through the powered sub (which has 200W RMS/800W peak). I'm leaning towards the STF-2 subwoofer: STF-2 Subwoofer

 

[macddmac]

Welcome to the forum!
The amp picture only shows the back. What is the make and model?
also, you'll want to set the crossover on the sub to 80 hz or higher as those behringer's will only play down to 65 hz according to the specs.
Cheers, Mac

 

[markw]

Somehow, my spidey sense tells me that this poor, lonely little sub won't produce the effect you are hoping for. That's an entry level sub that's designed for use in a typical home room with typical home speakers. You're asking it to keep up with gear that can produce lotsa decibles.

You should be lookig into bass bins.

 

[kingster129]

Welcome to the forum!


Yep, you can certainly do that.


No, but you can make it work. I'd suggest using the speaker-level binding post outputs from the amp (not bridged, if I'm understanding your set up correctly), run both the right and left speaker outputs from the amp to the speaker-level inputs on the sub, then run the speaker-level outputs on the sub to the speakers. I've never done speaker-level to 1/4" connectors before, and I'm not very familiar with PA speakers, but it seems that the 1/4" inputs on the speakers are for speaker-level power - so I think it would be okay.

I sure hope someone else chimes in on this, though. I'll report back if I do more research myself.


Yep, you'll control the crossover using the subwoofer.

Thanks! I'm kinda worried though... wouldn't sending 1400W to a powered sub with 800W peak and 250W RMS be potentially bad?

Welcome to the forum!
The amp picture only shows the back. What is the make and model?
also, you'll want to set the crossover on the sub to 80 hz or higher as those behringer's will only play down to 65 hz according to the specs.
Cheers, Mac

The amplifier is a Pyle Pro PA-1400. It's a decent amp just doesn't have crossover options.

 

[kingster129]

Somehow, my spidey sense tells me that this poor, lonely little sub won't produce the effect you are hoping for. That's an entry level sub that's designed for use in a typical home room with typical home speakers. You're asking it to keep up with gear that can produce lotsa decibles.

You should be lookig into bass bins.

It's for my dorm (only for music) which is 167 square feet with vaulted ceilings. Plus from what I've read the HSU STF-2 is a pretty powerful sub.

 

[Adam]

Thanks! I'm kinda worried though... wouldn't sending 1400W to a powered sub with 800W peak and 250W RMS be potentially bad?

Why would it be bridged? Aren't you connecting two speakers to it?

Also, the sub ratings are for its internal amplifier, and that amp is only used on the driver in the sub itself. The power for the main speakers is passed on after the sub filters out the lower frequencies for itself.

 

[kingster129]

Why would it be bridged? Aren't you connecting two speakers to it?

Also, the sub ratings are for its internal amplifier, and that amp is only used on the driver in the sub itself. The power for the main speakers is passed on after the sub filters out the lower frequencies for itself.

O ya duh 350W per channel it's not bridged. This is sounding good I'm gonna make the purchase.

Btw you have a handsome dog

 

[manwithnocape]

and somehow i completely missed the connectivity spec... i guess i have to eat my hat.
ya, that set up can work, but as it was stated before, it might not deliver what you hope for in larger rooms... if thats a possibility.

 

[kingster129]

and somehow i completely missed the connectivity spec... i guess i have to eat my hat.
ya, that set up can work, but as it was stated before, it might not deliver what you hope for in larger rooms... if thats a possibility.

Just placed the order for my STF-2. I'm sure the bass will be more than enough for my tiny dorm room haha. I'm sure the people below me will love the down-firing sub

 

[markw]

Did I miss something?

I'm looking to get this powered subwoofer: BIC Acoustech PL-200 2013 - TopTenREVIEWS
(1000W peak and does 250W RMS)Thanks!

I thought you were tal=king about this subwoofer.

I'm still not too sure it's a match made in heaven, though.

 

[manwithnocape]

super tiny room with ​bigpa speakers and an iddy-biddy sub.

i agree about the match made in heaven, but the lad wants what the lad wants.