Connecting 1995 sub to new amp? (RCA "Y" or...

[Bill F]

I just bought my first sub (14-year-old Velodyne VA128vx10) and can't figure out how to connect it to my amp/receiver. OK - this makes me sound dumb, but let me continue -

The amp/receiver is new: a Yahama Yamaha RX-V663. It came with instructions, and it seems pretty foolproof. Simply put, "there are 2 RCA jacks, labeled Subwoofer Pre Out. Use one for your subwoofer. If you have a second subwoofer, then use the second jack as well."

My confusion is when I get to the back of the sub. Ignoring the terminals for wire connections, there are still 4 RCA jacks: a left and a right for both IN and OUT. I plan to connect my amp's out RCA to my sub's in RCA, but what's with the left and right? Do I need to go to Radio Shack and buy a Y-splitter for the RCA, or.... ?

Thanks,
Bill in SF Bay Area.

 

[Adam]

Hi, Bill. Did you get an owner's manual with the sub? Most of the time, the manual will say if it's better to use the left, the right, or both inputs when you connect to a single subwoofer output from a receiver. On some subs, it doesn't matter. On others, it might.

I'll check and see if I can find a manual to help you out, but if you have the manual, take a look at it.

 

[Adam]

I can't find that model number online. Would you please check and make sure that it's typed correctly in your first post? Thanks.

 

[Bill F]

Hi Adam,

No manual provided.

The person that sold it didn't know much about it, but called it a VA-1210 (which is listed on the Velodyne site - as a discontinued model). On the back of the actual sub, it's ID's as VA-128vx10. The "8" might be a "B".

So the 12 and 10 seem to identify the 12" down and 10" side-facing speakers.

Heck - I just did a Google, and DID find VA-12bvx10. Perhaps I can contact Venodyne with this bit of info, and get the answer...

 

[walter duque]

Just get the Y-adapter and your good to go. From receiver sub 1 out to platte amp on sub woofer (Line Input L+R) use adapter.

 

[Adam]

If it is indeed the VA-1210, the owner's manual can be downloaded in PDF format from Velodyne at the link here.

That manual states the same thing as the manual for the VA-1250 that I checked out earlier, namely that you can connect the subwoofer output from the Yamaha to either the left or right input, or you can use a y-splitter. Given that you have two subwoofer outputs, you could even connect one to the left input and the other one to the right input. My guess is that the results will be the same with either choice. You can always try different connections to see if you can tell a difference, too.

 

[Bill F]

You guys rock! Thanks so much -

Bill

 

[Adam]

Our pleasure, Bill!

If you would, please let us know how you like your new sub once you get it all set up. Thanks.

 

[Bill F]

Well, for me it's a new sub, but with a mfger date of 1995 on the rear decal, I'm not sure anyone else would call it new.

-- -- --

I guess I've got to read up on phase, low-pass crossover, hi-pass crossover, etc. I just put in the one CD that I own that has good base (Hero soundtrack) - and though the base is nice, the sub sounds like an idling refrigerator the rest of the time - perhaps because I had it turned-up more than I was supposed to. Now with both my in-ceiling SpeakerCraft AIM8-threes and the sub on low, it's not clear that the sub is adding anything.

Guess I gotta read the manual and experiment...

Bill

 

[Adam]

Bill,

If you haven't already, I suggest checking out the "Get Good Bass" articles in the Audioholics "Tips and Tricks" section.