Don't have a powered subwoofer

[Baxter38]

Hi all,
I was using one of those crappy all-in-one dvd home theater type things, with upgraded klipsh speakers.
However, the DVD part crapped out, so we bought the Pioneer VSX-1015TX reciever.
The problem: The subwoofer I have is not a 'powered' subwoofer, so I can't connect it to the output jack on the reciever. I tried sticking it into the 'back surround' jacks, since it's a 5 speaker+subwoofer system, so that slot was empty, but it did what I thaught it would do: ignored the different tone during auto equalizing, and never noticed that the speaker was different!

What can I do, and where can I hook it up? Please tell me I can use the subwoofer I have!!! (I know it's not the best, but it sounds good, and I just dumped $500 into my system!)

Thanks!
Kim

 

[runninkyle17]

Check out this auction for a budget sub. Advent 850 for only $19.95 plus shipping. I am going to pick myself up one of these because I need a cheap well performing sub. I may even get two and have a good old time. HEHE

http://cgi.ebay.com/ADVENT-AHT850-POWERED-8-SUBWOOFER-NIB_W0QQitemZ5821940254QQcategoryZ3275QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Does your existing sub have speaker "in" terminals? If so, run your speaker wires from your 1015 to your sub, then from the sub, run another set of speaker wires to your speakers.

Turn off your bass management on the 1015 (set the subwoofer to "no"). The internal crossover in your passive sub will only send the lowest frequencies to the woofer, and allow all the frequencies to pass to the rest of your speakers.

 

[Sheep]

You could always buy an amp, and power the subwoofer off that. Make usre its the right power, and that will work.

Buck,

I don't know if that works, I think its only for powered subs. I think....


Sheep

 

[markw]

You can use that sub but you're gonna HAVE to buy an amp.

The LFE out on your receiver needs to go thru an amp before it can drive a sub.

check out parts express and search on "plate amps"

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Buck,

I don't know if that works, I think its only for powered subs. I think....
Sheep

It'll work. I have an old passive sub, huge box, with only a crossover in it. It's a line level type setup. I'd have to see a pic of the back of his sub to be sure though.

 

[jcPanny]

HTIB sub ideas.

I wouldn't waste money on an amp to power your cheap sub, you are better off buying a new active subwoofer with amp.
Here are a couple ideas to power the sub:

1. Use the old HTIB as an amp for the sub. Connect the line level signal from the Pioneer Main Pre-Amp outputs to the HTIB input. Turn on HTIB and connect passive sub.

2. I think your receiver has the ability to Bi-Amp the mains, set it in this mode. Connect one set of speaker level outputs to the mains. Connect the second set to the passive sub. Unless your sub has an internal crossover, it will be getting the full range signal, so it might not perform well, but it is worth a try.