How do I create a sub-out or connect a sub-woofer on a simple 2 channel amplifier?

[leesonic]

Why don't you try a high-low adapter? Something like Parts Express part number 269-050. You might want to get two, since it doesn't say whether the two channels are isolated, and some amps don't like their negative (or positive) speaker terminals connected. Go on, spend some money, they're only 75 cents each.

You haven't said whether your subwoofer has one input or two? If it has two, the above should work. If it only has one, see what kind of a result you get using just one channel. Depends what application you are using it for, if the content has lots of bass swapping channels, then it won't be ideal. I remember hearing "When I'm 64" by The Beatles through an office sound system, and they had only used one channel. It sounded like an instrumental, as the vocals are all on one side. Very amusing!

Some of the other replies to this thread seem to be over complicating matters, kinda like "paralysis by analysis". Try a high-low adapter.

Lee.

 

[Theresa]

Get a really small receiver

I would get a really small receiver. There must be something out there with a sub out that's really small.

 

[bp238]

Some of the other replies to this thread seem to be over complicating matters, kinda like "paralysis by analysis".

Lee.

Here here Lee! I hooked the "line level" input to the sub to the right speaker output along with the speaker wires to the right speaker..I actually soldered them together. And it works great. I still can't get a straight answer on if this will damage the amp probably because nobody knows for sure..at least anybody who has replied to this thread.

Here is a private message scipt between me and TLS guy..

Me: Hi there..you replied to a post I put up and I needed some clarifying on what you said. Could you please revisit the thread and check it out?
TLS Guy: What are you confused about?
Me:OK, my first and main question is, if I just hook the sub-in wires to one channel of the amp along with the speaker wire will that blow the amp? That would be the easiest fix if that will not hurt the amp. The sub-in does not appear to be creating any resistance to the signal like if I hooked 2 speakers to the left channel and one speaker to the right channel. So the bottom line is, IF that will work, what is the advantage if any of going to all the trouble to build the opamp circuit?
TLS Guy: Using only one channel to power a sub is way less than ideal. It is also not optimal to power a line level output from a speaker output either.
The way I suggested is the correct way to do it.

..answers like "way less than ideal" and "not optimal" kind of dodge the direct questions like "will that blow the amp?" and "what is the advantage of doing the complicated if the easy will do?"

What I have learned so far is:

#1 The "line level" input or single rca jack input to a sub is not line level at all. It is not like a "line in" on a receiver. The signal from the amp feeding that line increases and decreases with the volume of the amplifier. If you try to feed a sub with a real "line level" source, you ain't getting much sound.

#2 There is always a more complicated and expensive way of doing things.

What I haven't learned and would like to:

#1 Will this blow the amp?

#2 Is bass typically, ever or never separated into two different stereo channels on recordings such as music and movies?

 

[TLS Guy]

Here here Lee! I hooked the "line level" input to the sub to the right speaker output along with the speaker wires to the right speaker..I actually soldered them together. And it works great. I still can't get a straight answer on if this will damage the amp probably because nobody knows for sure..at least anybody who has replied to this thread.

Here is a private message scipt between me and TLS guy..

Me: Hi there..you replied to a post I put up and I needed some clarifying on what you said. Could you please revisit the thread and check it out?
TLS Guy: What are you confused about?
Me:OK, my first and main question is, if I just hook the sub-in wires to one channel of the amp along with the speaker wire will that blow the amp? That would be the easiest fix if that will not hurt the amp. The sub-in does not appear to be creating any resistance to the signal like if I hooked 2 speakers to the left channel and one speaker to the right channel. So the bottom line is, IF that will work, what is the advantage if any of going to all the trouble to build the opamp circuit?
TLS Guy: Using only one channel to power a sub is way less than ideal. It is also not optimal to power a line level output from a speaker output either.
The way I suggested is the correct way to do it.

..answers like "way less than ideal" and "not optimal" kind of dodge the direct questions like "will that blow the amp?" and "what is the advantage of doing the complicated if the easy will do?"

What I have learned so far is:

#1 The "line level" input or single rca jack input to a sub is not line level at all. It is not like a "line in" on a receiver. The signal from the amp feeding that line increases and decreases with the volume of the amplifier. If you try to feed a sub with a real "line level" source, you ain't getting much sound.

#2 There is always a more complicated and expensive way of doing things.

What I haven't learned and would like to:

#1 Will this blow the amp?

#2 Is bass typically, ever or never separated into two different stereo channels on recordings such as music and movies?

If you use one channel it will not blow your amp. If you use two it will. Yes bass is separated between channels.

A line level output will power a powered sub. 1 volt in should drive it to around full power.

 

[bp238]

Why don't you try a high-low adapter? Something like Parts Express part number 269-050.

I ordered one and will try it although I don't see much advantage being that the sub doesn't mind full power being pumped into the line in connection now.

You might want to get two, since it doesn't say whether the two channels are isolated

It would be perfect for me if it did not isolate the channels because my sub has only one input. However I doubt that is the case considering these things are commonly used to create a signal you can pump from an OEM head unit into an aftermarket amplifier which would then drive speakers which of course you would want to maintain stereo sound in.

You haven't said whether your subwoofer has one input or two?

It only has one input.

I will test the + continuity from the output to the input on this device in hopes there is a break in the circuit that might let me combine the signal with a simple RCA splitter/combiner. If this is possible, (although I doubt it) I would be able to pump both left and right channels into the single sub input thereby reproducing the full spectrum of sound.

 

[TLS Guy]

I ordered one and will try it although I don't see much advantage being that the sub doesn't mind full power being pumped into the line in connection now.



It would be perfect for me if it did not isolate the channels because my sub has only one input. However I doubt that is the case considering these things are commonly used to create a signal you can pump from an OEM head unit into an aftermarket amplifier which would then drive speakers which of course you would want to maintain stereo sound in.



It only has one input.

I will test the + continuity from the output to the input on this device in hopes there is a break in the circuit that might let me combine the signal with a simple RCA splitter/combiner. If this is possible, (although I doubt it) I would be able to pump both left and right channels into the single sub input thereby reproducing the full spectrum of sound.

Do not use a Y splitter, if you do you will blow your amp. You can not combine amp outputs in any way without buffering. You can only use the right or left channel and not both.

If you want to send right and left channels to the sub you must use a two channel buffer amp and then combine the signals. No other solution is safe.