Help with adding a sub on older gear setup

[Kennydee]

Howdy Folks!
Here is what I have in my new office setup;
Onkyo, M-5160 amp
Onkyo Integra, P-306RS preamp
Yamaha T-80 tuner
CD player
4 x inwall speakers (2 x 2 way, 8" + 1" tweet on the front and 2 x 3 way in back. Integrated midrange type on the 8" woofer)

The sound is pretty good at higher levels, mids and highs very clear and a good low frequency delivery. However, at lower volumes the low frequencies are lacking and let's face it, I listen to music from the PC and sometimes play some games like golf or some shoot'em up types at volume levels that do not disturb my whole family. I tried adjusting the bass level on the preamp but even at full I find the bass too soft. I am acustomed to higher levels of bass since our HT has a 15" Velodyne and I do love that thump.

So, i was thinking of getting myself a subwoofer to add in my office setup, but, I am thinking that I will need a passive sub with an external sub amp???? Does that make sense? Can I use the out #2 from the preamp to feed a sub amp? There is no LFE out on the preamp and nothing to connect a passive sub from the amp. Looking forward to getting your oppinions as to what would be the best setup. I'm not looking at spending thousands here and space is kinda limited so an 8" or 10" at max. Suggestions? Comments?

Many thanks

 

[Kennydee]

Howdy Folks!
Here is what I have in my new office setup;
Onkyo, M-5160 amp
Onkyo Integra, P-306RS preamp
Yamaha T-80 tuner
CD player
4 x inwall speakers (2 x 2 way, 8" + 1" tweet on the front and 2 x 3 way in back. Integrated midrange type on the 8" woofer)

The sound is pretty good at higher levels, mids and highs very clear and a good low frequency delivery. However, at lower volumes the low frequencies are lacking and let's face it, I listen to music from the PC and sometimes play some games like golf or some shoot'em up types at volume levels that do not disturb my whole family. I tried adjusting the bass level on the preamp but even at full I find the bass too soft. I am acustomed to higher levels of bass since our HT has a 15" Velodyne and I do love that thump.

So, i was thinking of getting myself a subwoofer to add in my office setup, but, I am thinking that I will need a passive sub with an external sub amp???? Does that make sense? Can I use the out #2 from the preamp to feed a sub amp? There is no LFE out on the preamp and nothing to connect a passive sub from the amp. Looking forward to getting your oppinions as to what would be the best setup. I'm not looking at spending thousands here and space is kinda limited so an 8" or 10" at max. Suggestions? Comments?

Many thanks

Man!!! The more I re-read my question the more I kinda answer myself.

I guess I can/could use an active sub with the #2 outputs from the preamp right?
KennyConfusedDee

 

[WaynePflughaupt]

Yup, that’s the way to do it. The only issue will be setting the sub’s crossover to reasonably match the main speakers’ natural bass roll out.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[Kennydee]

Yup, that’s the way to do it. The only issue will be setting the sub’s crossover to reasonably match the main speakers’ natural bass roll out.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

Excellent Thanks! Got it! Now to find a suitable sub. I love going to shopping mode!! and this time I don't need approval from the wife.

 

[highfigh]

Excellent Thanks! Got it! Now to find a suitable sub. I love going to shopping mode!! and this time I don't need approval from the wife.

Another thing that can be done is make the in-wall speakers work within the range that sounds best and this is pretty easy if you have thought about using an equalizer. Behringer makes several that have a high pass, low pass, sub out and subsonic filter. It's not terribly expensive and would allow you to really tailor the sound to your liking. The fact that you have separates makes this a lot easier than someone with a receiver, too.

 

[Kennydee]

Another thing that can be done is make the in-wall speakers work within the range that sounds best and this is pretty easy if you have thought about using an equalizer. Behringer makes several that have a high pass, low pass, sub out and subsonic filter. It's not terribly expensive and would allow you to really tailor the sound to your liking. The fact that you have separates makes this a lot easier than someone with a receiver, too.

Thanks highfigh,

Funny because I thought of using an equalizer before thinking of a sub and I had a pretty good one when I was younger connected to my stereo system. I gave that eq to my son probably 15 years ago or so. He loves it. Can't recall the brand though. I parted with the idea of an eq because and since my speakers are inwalls I had a preference to having a separate small sub so the vibrations would not resonate throughout the house. My office is in the basement and next to it is a spare fully furnished bedroom when the kids visit and where my wife has her computer setup. She listens to music a lot but she uses headphones. Next to the spare bedroom is our HT. The whole basement is very well soundproofed but I still want to avoid bothering my wife our daughter if I am to play some tunes or play a game. I was thinking that a small sub would deliver enough low frequency to satisfy my ears even at lower volume levels and that solution would also avoid shaking the walls enough to bother my family. I think that what I am looking for is a more powerful bass delivery at lower volumes. Would an eg provide that? An eq would probably save me some money over a sub too huh?