n00b with a bunch of questions concerning a H/K 430 twin powered amp and a sub

[Farmer]

Hi, I've posted pretty much the same in the AVforums but I dont seem to get all that good respons so I'm gonna try here instead.

I'm fairly new to this kind of stuff, I've allways loved music but I've never owned a really expensive Stereo(don't do now either ). About 3 years ago or so tho I bought a harman kardon 430 twin powered amp from my neighbour for about 20€, It is from late 70 I think. The speakers got messed up pretty bad fast tho and 2 weeks ago I decided to ditch them and get something better, I ended up with wharfedale 9.1 speakers, I paid 175€ for them and they are superb. I've now gotten taste of quality audio and want more specially in the low register so I'm looking for a sub too. I don't really know how to connect a sub tho so I thought I'd go looking for a subwoofer out on the amp but I didn't see anything like that but I instead noticed the speaker outs are for 8-16ohm, but my speakers are 6 ohm, could this become a problem? Exactly what is the ohm value?

The amp also has a loud pop sound when I turn it off, could this damage the speakers? I have found workaround for this tho. I simply disconnect the speakers before I turn it off, one extra button to press but its nothing. It's also sensitive to turning on/off lights and other electrical devices, the pop isn't as loud tho so I'm not so worried about that.

As far as a sub go I read that you can connect it to speaker level but will this bypass the subs own amp since the signal is already amplified?

So to sum up:

1. What is ohm and can things get messy with 6 ohm speakers when the amp says 8-16ohm?

2. Could a loud on/off pop sound damage my speakers?

3. Will quality suffer if I connect a sub to speakerlevel? Also are there any good subs for -200€ ?I wont go any higher than that, so please dont say save up and get the 500€ SVS or whatever, sry . I've looked at the velodyne vpr1000 but I think it might get pretty pricy here in Finland, Altho I believe the deal on the wharfedales was pretty good.

Thanks in advance!

btw, I'm not sure this thread fits in here, it could eventually be better off in the general since it is quite general.

 

[markw]

I'm pretty sure your receiver lacks pre out/main in jacks so I'll forgo that section.

If the powered sub you purchase has two speaker level inputs you'll be fine. If it only has one, you're boned. Avoid these at all costs.

You would hook it up to your main speaker terminals in parallel to your main speakers. I would use the same terminals your mains are connected to.

The amp in the sub presents a high impedance load on the receiver and you'll be fine. Adjust the crossover so that the sub starts kicking in where your mains fall off.

If the powered sub you purchase has two speaker level outputs in addition to the inputs, I would suggest you connect your main speakers to the outputs on the sub, not the receiver. This will allow the sub to "filter out" any deep bass from the mains.

As for the pop, it's possible the speakers may take a hit at some point depending on how loud it is. There's usually a delay circuit in many receivers that prevents this but I'm not positive all have it. You may want to see what other responses you get and, if it does have a delay, you may want get it looked at.