Are these parts compatible??

[pancakeplease]

I think i'm in way over my head. I'm trying to learn audio and trying to get at least a decent setup fro my small room that's an upgrade from my Logitech x-540 computer speakers but I'm having a hard time understanding.

I have ordered Polk Audio PSW10 subwoofer, a pair of Polk Audio Monitor 30 Series II bookshelf speakers, and bought from a forum member an older Denon AVR-2800 Receiver and Denon 2800 DVD player. I'm wondering if these parts are compatible. I thought they were but I'm looking and am pretty confused at the input/outputs. I don't understand it. I managed to get the speakers working by just simply plugging red/black wires into the LEFT and RIGHT speakers and the corresponding places on the Denon receiver. But I'm confused when the subwoofer gets into the mix.

The manual of the PSW10 subwoofer shows 2 different hookup options. #1 is that you put everything through the subs (speakers go into speaker out) and then you make a connection from the sub's speaker IN to the receiver speaker OUT. There's no need for a sub cable or connection between the sub and receiver.
#2, you directly connect the front left and right speakers into the receiver, and also directly connect the subwoofer out on the receiver to the LFE on the subwoofer. (My PSW10 doesn't have a LFE)


What's the best way to get the most out of this budget setup?


Damn looks like I can't post links.

The name of the speaker is Polk Audio Monitor 30 Series II. You can find a close up of the back on Newegg.

The sub is Polk Audio PSW10. Close up picture on Amazon of the ports in the back.

Receiver is a Denon AVR-2800 or just Denon 2800.

Googling "PSW10 manual" and first link is the manual with 2 different hookup option diagrams.

Any help appreciated. Blew all my money on this setup believe it or not. I was contemplating just getting better computer speakers in the $200 range like the Klipsch 2.1 Promedia but everyone said a bookshelf and "custom" setup would be way better, which I agree cause I like having a nice subwoofer and set of speakers. Just a matter of connection and compatibility..

 

[Rickster71]

Use option #2
The PSW10 subwoofer does not have an LFE input. Instead, use either the
L or R Line input
(another hookup option is to use a Y-split cable and connect both
L and R Line inputs).
After you make this Sub Out connection, turn the "Low Pass"
filter fully clockwise. This will in effect create an LFE input.

 

[Adam]

Welcome to the forum, pancakeplease! Awesome name - I'm still chuckling.

Rick gave you the easiest way to connect everything (which is option #1 in the Polk manual that you mentioned). I concur - do it that way.

To expand a bit, you could do it either way because you are only using two speakers at this point. It comes down to how you want to determine which frequencies get handled by the sub and which frequencies get handled by your speakers: do you want the sub to do it, or do you want the receiver to do it? It's almost always easier to have the receiver do it, and it's a lot better to have the receiver do it when you are using more speakers (such as a center channel and surrounds) because the receiver can direct bass from all of your speakers to the sub, but the sub can only extract bass from the two speaker connections that you send to it. So, if you use the L/R RCA connections to the sub and turn the crossover dial to the highest number, then the sub won't filter any of the signal and the receiver will be doing all of the bass management. Be sure to set the receiver up so that it knows that you are using a sub and that the you want the speakers set to "small."

 

[pancakeplease]

Awesome thank you guys!
I was just concerned about the receiver doing the bass management because my receiver is like 12 years old but I think it will be alright. I bought it used at a good price and mainly for a 2.1 music setup and occasional tv/movie in my room anyway.