Getting the right Subwoofer cable

[Joseman37]

Hi there.
I own the Polk PSW10 Subwoofer and was wondering if I should buy a Y style RCA cable or just 1 to 1 RCA cable?

Thank you!!

 

[everettT]

Hi there.
I own the Polk PSW10 Subwoofer and was wondering if I should buy a Y style RCA cable or just 1 to 1 RCA cable?

Thank you!!

Use 1 in the LFE input,if you use the splitter it will not bypass the subs crossover

 

[2channel lover]

Hi there.
I own the Polk PSW10 Subwoofer and was wondering if I should buy a Y style RCA cable or just 1 to 1 RCA cable?

Thank you!!

The Y adapter or Y style RCA are intended to connect 2 devices.

1 to 1 works for a single sub.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

Yeah, just use a single. Depending on the amplifier, using a splitter will engage the subs internal XO(as said), or just raise the input gain, which doesn’t equation any more output overall, just more for a given gain setting.

 

[Joseman37]

Use 1 in the LFE input,if you use the splitter it will not bypass the subs crossover

My sub doesn't have LFE input.

 

[Bucknekked]

My sub doesn't have LFE input.

You are correct. Your model doesn't appear to have a single LFE connection but a combines LR connection.
The owners manual shows a split Y cable. That's what the owners manual shows so that's your ticket.
The PSw12 does use an LFE, but not the 10. Good thing those are pretty inexpensive type of cables.
Back in the day when I had a sub like that I used a Y connector (just a little stubby thing) and it connected
to a single RCA coax cable that ran to the AVR. It works.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

Well that settles it. New sub.....

 

[lovinthehd]

You are correct. Your model doesn't appear to have a single LFE connection but a combines LR connection.
The owners manual shows a split Y cable. That's what the owners manual shows so that's your ticket.
The PSw12 does use an LFE, but not the 10. Good thing those are pretty inexpensive type of cables.
Back in the day when I had a sub like that I used a Y connector (just a little stubby thing) and it connected
to a single RCA coax cable that ran to the AVR. It works.
View attachment 34240

In addition to the picture, there are words that describe the connection options further:

NOTE: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 bothL 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

 

[Bucknekked]

Well that settles it. New sub.....

I'm with you @William Lemmerhirt , its time for a new sub.
My old sub that had that type of connection and the LR speaker connectors on it just wasn't a good sub.
It played and it did its best. But, there's no way to confuse it with a good sub.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

I'm with you @William Lemmerhirt , its time for a new sub.
My old sub that had that type of connection and the LR speaker connectors on it just wasn't a good sub.
It played and it did its best. But, there's no way to confuse it with a good sub.

YeH buck, I couldn’t agree more. I’ve had some not so great subs too. In fact I am quite familiar with the 505 in question here. Good entry level, but that’s where it ends.
@Pogre says this a lot, and I agree, that good clean bass has a way of elevating the entire system.

 

[Pogre]

YeH buck, I couldn’t agree more. I’ve had some not so great subs too. In fact I am quite familiar with the 505 in question here. Good entry level, but that’s where it ends.
@Pogre says this a lot, and I agree, that good clean bass has a way of elevating the entire system.

Yup! Don't just take it from us tho. Here's some testimony from someone here who recently (reluctantly) upgraded his sub.

Benefits of external amps

Well, I pulled the trigger on a svs sb2000 pro THEN I ran their recommended subwoofer app for my Sony’s. They suggested the1000 series. I did read somewhere there is no such thing as too much bass! Here we go head first into the so called rabbit hole. I’d like to thank everyone for the...

forums.audioholics.com

His comment on a very familiar song- "there is music in there I was never aware of. Unbelievable. I’m extremely impressed."

 

[Kingnoob]

Yeah, just use a single. Depending on the amplifier, using a splitter will engage the subs internal XO(as said), or just raise the input gain, which doesn’t equation any more output overall, just more for a given gain setting.

Why do old rca cables work ? Are they identical to the cables built specifically for subwoofers ?
My best subwoofer is using I think a monoprice sub cable or something I got on amazon . My other subs are all using rca cables .


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[lovinthehd]

Why do old rca cables work ? Are they identical to the cables built specifically for subwoofers ?
My best subwoofer is using I think a monoprice sub cable or something I got on amazon . My other subs are all using rca cables .


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Sub cables are simply a type of rca cable. Some have better shielding for longer runs....

 

[afford-hifi]

Sub cables are simply a type of rca cable. Some have better shielding for longer runs....

Lovinthehd,

Completely agree, one of the most important factors for a subwoofer cable is the shielding. A quality RCA subwoofer cable will be constructed with shielding that prevents EMI. This is especially true when being used for longer runs. Standard RCA cables will most likely have inferior shielding which can result in an audible hum through the subwoofer... No one likes that.

James
affordhifi.com

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

Lovinthehd,

Completely agree, one of the most important factors for a subwoofer cable is the shielding. A quality RCA subwoofer cable will be constructed with shielding that prevents EMI. This is especially true when being used for longer runs. Standard RCA cables will most likely have inferior shielding which can result in an audible hum through the subwoofer... No one likes that.

James
affordhifi.com

I found this to be true. Especially when your neighbor starts broadcasting in his HAMM radio at 6:30 every morning. He was very gracious in helping to alleviate the problem. Gave me ferrite rings, and cables and all kinds of stuff. I ended up with a section of rg -6 quad shielded iirc. He was a good guy.

 

[Verdinut]

This RCA cable using a coaxial RG59 cable does the job:

Monoprice 1.5ft Premium 2 RCA Plug/2 RCA Plug M/M 22AWG Cable - Black - Monoprice.com

Despite the introduction of more advanced audio and video signal cables, such as HDMI® and Toslink, most audio and a large number of video connections still use the common RCA connector.This is a

www.monoprice.com

 

[Kingnoob]

I found this to be true. Especially when your neighbor starts broadcasting in his HAMM radio at 6:30 every morning. He was very gracious in helping to alleviate the problem. Gave me ferrite rings, and cables and all kinds of stuff. I ended up with a section of rg -6 quad shielded iirc. He was a good guy.

So rca cables are fine for short runs ?? Use sub cables for anything past what 10 foot ??


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[lovinthehd]

So rca cables are fine for short runs ?? Use sub cables for anything past what 10 foot ??


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Again? A sub cable is an rca cable. You may want more significant shielding on a longer rca cable, as might be used for subs or other purposes. Some "sub" cables have better shielding than others, but "sub cable" isn't very definitive.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

So rca cables are fine for short runs ?? Use sub cables for anything past what 10 foot ??


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Yeah like HD said, they’re the same thing. I’ve used rg-6 and rg-59 too. It’s a low bandwidth signal so what’s important is shielding, and quality terminals. I’ve even used the cheap RGB rca cables that come with dish network gear for sub connections.