Can I replace a NON-powered Sub W/ a powered one?

[BulletBob]

Hey holics,

I know the HTIB doesn't constitute an audioholic but stick with me on this one. I already set up my home theater. I went with the 60" Sony SXRD. Pioneer Elite receiver and DVD player, and an Axiom speaker system w/ dual subs. I'm very satisfied with the advice I received on this site and it worked out great. I put a 52" Mitsubishi Rear Projection in my bedroom. It's a large master bedroom and I wanted a modest Surround Sound set up in there as well. They say couples that have TV's in their bedrooms sex life suffers. I've been married for 13 years and nothing can hurt us at this point! LOL-J.K. Back to the point-

I bought the Sony 5.1 Wireless (not really) Sony dream system. A HTIB that includes a non powered sub. I've bought a HTIB before and the sub had the amp/crossover in it and it was the hub for the speaker connection. Meaning I couldn't switch it out. The connection between the HTIB was exclusive! For the HTIB I'm inquiring about the receiver will be hub for the speaker wires to exit from. That means the 1000 watts will be divided out and possibly affect the strength of the sub right? Here's my QUESTION-If I don't like the power or lack there of coming from the sub could I replace it with a powered Sub? I know powered subs have RCA connections right? Meaning my thought is that you don't just run a speaker wire between it and the receiver when it's powered. If the sub needs more than just a speaker wire connection than I probably won't be able to switch out the non powered sub for the powered one huh? Even though I wanted a smooth sound for the bedroom I'm addicted to a deep sub sound. I paid a $1000 for the HTIB and I'm wondering if that'll give me any flexibility with it's performance.

So to finalize this long *** post-Can you switch out a NON powered sub for a stronger/larger powered sub since a subwoofer receives just the signal anyway right(wrong?)? Thanks for your help. I want to jump on eBay and make the upgrade if it's possible so if you can get back to me a.s.a.p-you'll be doing me a favor. Thanks for your time.

Bullet

 

[Sheep]

As long as the subwoofer you buy has high level inputs, I don't see how it can't work.

SheepStar

 

[markw]

If the sub is ra standalone unit run off of it's own output on the receiver, and ids in no way connected to the other speaskers, then fine.

If all channels have to pass through the subwoofer then no. It's more than a subwoofer.

 

[Sheep]

If the sub is ra standalone unit run off of it's own output on the receiver, and ids in no way connected to the other speaskers, then fine.

If all channels have to pass through the subwoofer then no. It's more than a subwoofer.

Oh good point! I missed that. Wait, if its a passive unit, wouldn't the amp for the speakers not be in the subwoofer?

SheepStar

 

[bobbydigital]

I believe he says the Pioneer dvd/reciever will be the amp for the speakers so if it has no sub pre-out, then like sheep said you will have to make sure the sub you purchase has the speaker level inputs

 

[markw]

One would think so

Oh good point! I missed that. Wait, if its a passive unit, wouldn't the amp for the speakers not be in the subwoofer?

SheepStar

I tend to try to give fairly general answers that can be applied to many situations. Sort of a Socratic method of answering questions. Get 'em to think a little and, if something was left out of the description in the first place, they should still be able to arrive at a solution.

but, you do have a good point. Whatever sub he chooses will need speaker level inputs. Not too many I can think of with only one, though, but using only one should be fine.

 

[BulletBob]

Clarity-TY for the response!

Holics,

The Pioneer Elite reference was my attempt at legitimizing my set up in the HT room. It has nothing to do with the question. I was trying to show that the HTIB wasn't my first choice but it did fit the budget for my surround sound in the master bedroom. I explained (tried to) that I had a HTIB before that had the sub linked with the amp/crossover. All of the speakers connected to it (the sub). The sub was weak but it was an exclusive part for that Samsung HTIB. It was the hub for every bit of power in the system and for the speaker connections. Samsung made it the hub so that no part could be interchanged with non Samsung products I guess? Maybe just paranoia setting in? LOL

The HTIB in question is the Sony Wireless DVD Dream System DAV-FX100W. The question in simpler terms is: Can the sub included in this HTIB be replaced with Sony SA-WX700 Sony Powered Subwoofer? That is the most detailed version I could give of my muddy first attempt at tech support! Thank you for taking the time to check this out. If you could simply refer to the Sony HTIB for specs-check the Sony sub that I want to swap out specs-and tell me if it can be done? Thanks again.

I'd love to make the switch as soon as you give me the thumbs up.

Bullet

 

[CaliHwyPatrol]

That Sony sub is a piece of **** and I certainly wouldn't pay $300 for it. The Sony subs are the only subs I have on display at work that I have ever blown. That one has blown twice and the smaller 8" blew once...

Bottom line: Sony subs blow.

~Chuck

 

[Onabudgetguy]

Take a breath and chill

Man, some people just rip out w/ the slams on certain companies.

While I understand it for BOSE and such, I have to call shenanigans on calling the sa-wx700 a piece of *****. Where do you work and what are you doing to blow out subwoofers??

The 700 is my 2nd sony subwoofer and I couldn't be happier w/ it. For 220 it is a great deal. This guy comes on asks a question, and all you can do is slam one of his choices.

It's late and maybe my fatigue is making me sensitive, but that post just seemed to come out of nowhere and just rubbed me the wrong way. There was good discussion of the original poster's question and then, bam.


BulletBob-----
I looked up your Sony system to see what hookups it has. I couldn't find pics of the back of the unit. If you have either speaker terminals out or a sub out (RCA style) you could hook up a powered sub. I would highly recommend the sony as I have one. Others that I have seen recommended for the same price range (200-300) include the dayton sub on parts express (I think it is a DIY one though) and the Cadence X-sub. Now, watch out though, you may get recommendations from many to save your money and wait and wait until you can get a SVS sub. While this may be prudent advice, it isn't always the best. Sometimes you just can justify the extra expense, no matter what quality/fidelity improvement, and sometimes you just have the money burning a hole in your pocket and you want it now. Good Luck and enjoy whatever you get. It sounds like you are on your way to enjoying a home theater, and I think that is what we are all after.

 

[BulletBob]

Thank you for knowledge passed!

Hey Holics,

On the idea that this is my HT room I would be pretty small time but this is just concerning my master bdrm set up. It has a slot in the wall about 55' and I slid a 52" Mitsubishi rear projection in it. I got the Sony HTIB for the room because my wife and I will wind down at the end of the night in there. We game on our 360 or watch movies that the other doesn't like. I didn't need the big investment in a room that we'll be using as a back-up source. I have a PC connected and use it as a big monitor for web browsing, gaming, and online poker. I use the bedroom to watch shows that the other doesn't. It was supposed to be a secondary choice while the other gets use out of our thunderous HT room. I thought the wireless HTIB fit our needs but I'd still like more bass. Thus the sub question. If the Sub I use to replace the passive sub has speaker wire inputs is that all I need? Do you have to have RCA connections in your reciever/amp to be able to push the Sub?

HT room=
Pioneer Elite Reciever
Pioneer Elite DVD
Axiom grand speaker set up
60" Sony SXRD
HT seats w/ bass shakers installed

If everyone thought my wife was a hell of a ride than man-they have to feel War of the Worlds in there. (She's a very infamous adult film star) I spent about $7000 and got every pennies worth. (For the HT not the wife-LOL) Thanks for the listen guys!

 

[CaliHwyPatrol]

Man, some people just rip out w/ the slams on certain companies.

While I understand it for BOSE and such, I have to call shenanigans on calling the sa-wx700 a piece of *****. Where do you work and what are you doing to blow out subwoofers??

The 700 is my 2nd sony subwoofer and I couldn't be happier w/ it. For 220 it is a great deal. This guy comes on asks a question, and all you can do is slam one of his choices.

It's late and maybe my fatigue is making me sensitive, but that post just seemed to come out of nowhere and just rubbed me the wrong way. There was good discussion of the original poster's question and then, bam.

Eh, I didn't mean to "slam" his choice, I just wanted to express my opinion of it. Perhaps I should have offered some alternatives as well. My fault!

My experience has told me that Sony isn't very good at building speakers and subs. I noticed this when 2 of the SAWX700 subs blew out in under a year. I do not overstress them but I do turn them up from time to time to see what they can do under pressure. I do this will all the subs on display and none of them blew out, not even the cheap-o 12" MTX. But both Sony models went out during their time on display. Soundwise, I've noticed Sony speakers are inferior in sound to other speakers in their price range. Now in your case, you got your sub for $220, which is $80 below list. That is a decent deal. In that price range, the Sony could be considered better than other subwoofers, but I was pointing out that it is not the better choice in the $300 price range. Maybe I should have worded it differently?

I'm not ripping on Sony as a company, I'm ripping on Sony as a speaker maker. I have 5 Sony TV's, one of which is an XBR from the early 90's that still looks better than most CRT sets out there. I just think they should stick to what they are good at and not meddle in other things that they aren't. I don't mean to rub people the wrong way, but I can't please everyone!

~Chuck

 

[CaliHwyPatrol]

If the Sub I use to replace the passive sub has speaker wire inputs is that all I need? Do you have to have RCA connections in your reciever/amp to be able to push the Sub?

As for this, yes. If the sub has line-level inputs you don't need the RCA's.

~Chuck

 

[CaliHwyPatrol]

Crap, it won't let me edit my posts... PooP! Sorry, don't mean to flood.

I meant to add in a recommendation of mine after all my "slamming".

A sub company I have had good experience with is Velodyne. They make some decent stuff and I think one of those might be a good addition to your bedroom set.

~Chuck

 

[Onabudgetguy]

Late Night

Cali---

sorry if I came off a little harsh, it was late and I was tired.

I didn't mean to slam you too hard directly, it was just I have seen many posts like yours where there is a slam of someone's choice w/o much info to go along with it, or as you pointed out, with other choices.

I will keep my fingers crossed for my sub, my last sony - sa-w40 - lasted a while, it just took 5-6 inches of water to put it out of commission. Of course, I don't know if my wife or neighbor will allow me to ever stress it as it may have been in your shop!

BulletBob---as Cali said, if you have speaker hookups out of the dream system you can hook up the sub using its speaker in hookups--then you have to use the crossover in the sub to adjust it. If there is a rca out of the system it can go right into the sub and the system might have adjustments for the crossover (I think you can still use the sub's crossover adjustment as well-but don't quote me).

Good Luck (although it doesn't sound like you need it at this point)

 

[CaliHwyPatrol]

Cali---

sorry if I came off a little harsh, it was late and I was tired.

I didn't mean to slam you too hard directly, it was just I have seen many posts like yours where there is a slam of someone's choice w/o much info to go along with it, or as you pointed out, with other choices.

I will keep my fingers crossed for my sub, my last sony - sa-w40 - lasted a while, it just took 5-6 inches of water to put it out of commission. Of course, I don't know if my wife or neighbor will allow me to ever stress it as it may have been in your shop!

Dude, slap me around, I usually deserve it.

I know what you mean about just slamming a brand, just because of their name! If a company makes something that I like, I'll buy it. If they make something else that isn't all that great, then I won't buy that. But I'm not going to buy something I like just because of who makes it.

For example: I really like Polk Audio (as you can see that is all I have speaker-wise), but I think their lower end subs (PSW10/12) are not that great. In fact, I really don't like them at all. I think they are poorly built and show that with the sound they put out. On the other hand, I love my speakers to death and I wouldn't have them any other way!

~Chuck

 

[CaliHwyPatrol]

BulletBob---as Cali said, if you have speaker hookups out of the dream system you can hook up the sub using its speaker in hookups--then you have to use the crossover in the sub to adjust it. If there is a rca out of the system it can go right into the sub and the system might have adjustments for the crossover (I think you can still use the sub's crossover adjustment as well-but don't quote me).

I've really got to stop double posting but it won't let me edit!

That system doesn't have an RCA out for the sub so he is just going to have to run it in with speaker wire, which is fine because that system most likely doesn't have an adjustible crossover. BulletBob, you just have to figure out where your speakers cut off so the sub can make up for the rest.

~Chuck

 

[brendy]

to CaliHwyPatrol

I have 2 of the SA-WX700's in my system.The rest is the Onkyo 602 and the HSU Ventriloquist VT-12 speakers.Been using them for a year and no problems.I get usable response down to around 26hz.Not bad for a pair of subs that cost me less than $500.It is true that Sony is not known for speakers.This one and it's bigger brother (SA-WX 900) seem to be completely different animals.They use the Push-Pull driver configuration,just like M-K.I do not think it is fair to judge these 2 models by Sony's other speakers.

 

[CaliHwyPatrol]

I have 2 of the SA-WX700's in my system.The rest is the Onkyo 602 and the HSU Ventriloquist VT-12 speakers.Been using them for a year and no problems.I get usable response down to around 26hz.Not bad for a pair of subs that cost me less than $500.It is true that Sony is not known for speakers.This one and it's bigger brother (SA-WX 900) seem to be completely different animals.They use the Push-Pull driver configuration,just like M-K.I do not think it is fair to judge these 2 models by Sony's other speakers.

I tried not to make the mistake of comparing the subs to Sony's other speakers by pointing out the two of the 700 series subs blew out in under a year while on display in my sound room. You are absolutely right though, it would be unfair to judge them based on other products, but in this case, I am judging them by their performance alone. Yes, I did state that I am not a fan of other Sony speakers, I guess I should have made it clear that I did not want it to seem like I didn't like the subs just based on the other speakers' performance.

I am glad your subs have worked for you, maybe I just have had bad luck with them!

~Chuck