[Home Stereo] Looking for solution to add subwoofer

[golden_bear]

I have a stereo system for listening to records, with 2 bookshelf speakers connected to a Yamaha R-S202BL receiver. I bought a powered subwoofer (Pioneer SW-8MK2) hoping to add some low frequency range and reduce the bass burden on my bookshelves.

My issue is that the receiver doesn't have a dedicated subwoofer-out, and the subwoofer doesn't have a speaker outputs.

I am a college student on a budget (hence the relatively low-end gear). Is it possible to connect the subwoofer without replacing either the receiver or sub? Or is there some sort of post-amp equalizer (is this a thing?) that can split the lows out to the subwoofer? Looking for any advice -- thanks!

 

[everettT]

You can try to use the b speaker out on the Yamaha. So use a+b in the Yamaha

 

[shadyJ]

If you are only connecting the receiver to a single source, than use a couple Y-splitters like this and route the other end of the splitter to the subwoofer inputs. There is no good way to connect that sub to that receiver directly. Of course, you will have no bass management, as the speakers and sub will be playing the same band, but at least you will have some bass. You will need to turn the sub's low pass filter until it matches the speaker's roll off, so you don't get too much overlap of bass playback. You might as well do that by ear.

 

[shadyJ]

You can try to use the b speaker out on the Yamaha. So use a+b in the Yamaha

Oops, didn't see those high-level inputs. I assumed a low cost sub like the Pioneer would not have that. Everett is right, try to use the B speaker outs. As I said before, you will have to match the sub's low pass filter to the speaker's response by era, unless you have some fancy measurements gear laying around.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Why couldn't he use an RCA cable from his stereo to the RCA in on the sub and just use speaker cables to his L/R speakers from that receiver?

 

[everettT]

Why couldn't he use an RCA cable from his stereo to the RCA in on the sub and just use speaker cables to his L/R speakers from that receiver?

Ya I missed the line out lol.

 

[agarwalro]

You'll could take out two lines from the speaker. One pair goes to the sub the other to speakers as expected.

 

[agarwalro]

Why couldn't he use an RCA cable from his stereo to the RCA in on the sub and just use speaker cables to his L/R speakers from that receiver?

He'll have that option for one source only.

 

[golden_bear]

I've connected the speaker B lines to the sub and it's working. To go around not having bass management, I turned the bass down on the receiver eq and the volume up on the sub. It's not perfect, but the sound is more well-rounded than what I had before.

Thanks for the guidance, and if anyone has recommendations how to improve the current set-up let me know.

 

[Mark of Cenla]

My Sherwood receiver only has a sub out with no control that affects the sub, except of course the tone controls. I had to try different settings on the sub, but eventually I got it right. The sub takes over where my Polks leave off. In another room I have another stereo with an Onkyo amp where the setup is similar. What you have done makes perfect sense. All that matters is that it sounds good to you. Peace and goodwill.