Newbie Question about mono versus stereo

[Johnatheb]

I am a little confused here. I have a basic 2 Channel Stereo Amplifier. I got a Powered Subwoofer that has single(mono) RCA Input. Which side of the stereo output do I hook to the sub? Left? Right? or do I get a mixer.

I heard Base is typically both sides of the signal so it doesn't matter which side I use. I also heard just use Left.

I am also assuming this sub has crossovers.

Sony - 12" 200-Watt Powered Subwoofer

I hope I don't have to get another receiver

Thanks,

John

 

[brulaha]

Most receivers only have one output. You don't need a new one. Generally you can put it into either stereo input and be okay. Sometimes it's designated which one is the "mono" input, normally the left channel. You could always buy a "Y" splitter and connect both stereo inputs from the single output on your receiver. A lot of people do this.

By the way, if I had to guess, your Sony sub probably has a crossover and it's probably not defeatable. Your receiver most likely has a crossover too. Implementing 2 crossovers is bad. Open up the crossover on your Sony all the way so that they interact with each other as little as possible. For example, if your Sony goes up to 150hz, set it to 150hz. If your receiver doesn't have a selectable crossover which it may, it will likely be fixed at 80hz, which is preferable in most situations.

 

[no. 5]

You could always buy a "Y" splitter and connect both stereo inputs from the single output on your receiver. A lot of people do this.

Though not well recommended.

 

[Johnatheb]

Good point

All the new stereos have a sub-out and I never thought of the issue with 2 cross-overs.

Since this sub has only one input I will just try hooking the left-out tape monitor to the sub.

 

[no. 5]

Since this sub has only one input I will just try hooking the left-out tape monitor to the sub.

That may not go well; the pre-out for the tape monitor is not level controlled by the volume knob.

 

[brulaha]

"Since this sub has only one input I will just try hooking the left-out tape monitor to the sub."

Yikes! I didn't realize your receiver didn't have a sub out. As stated before, you wouldn't want to connect it with a tape loop.

You would need to run you speaker wires to your sub, and then out from your sub to your speakers. In this situation, the crossover in the sub is the only one being used, and you would probably want to set it to 80hz.

 

[Johnatheb]

How about the cable box

Well all I use for Music/Movies/TV is my Cable box which has 2 sets of Stereo outs. Can I just use the left from one of them?

I can get a mixer if need be. I know Y-ing the L&R Channels is not good from what I read on here.

 

[brulaha]

The only way I know to properly hook it up, given what you have described, is running it through your speaker terminals. It will work just fine. Just run speaker wire from your receiver to the speaker level inputs on the sub. Then from the speaker level outputs on your sub run those to your speakers and you'll be in business.

 

[Halon451]

"Since this sub has only one input I will just try hooking the left-out tape monitor to the sub."

Yikes! I didn't realize your receiver didn't have a sub out. As stated before, you wouldn't want to connect it with a tape loop.

You would need to run you speaker wires to your sub, and then out from your sub to your speakers. In this situation, the crossover in the sub is the only one being used, and you would probably want to set it to 80hz.

To the OP: I had your Sony sub a short while ago, so I know there are both Left and Right inputs for speaker line connections from your receiver, and Left and Right outputs to your speakers. Brulaha is correct - wire your speaker cables through the sub, for both channels, and out to your speakers, respectively - this will maintain the stereo combination, and allow you to filter out the low frequency notes coming from the L and R channels and have them redirected to your sub's driver. Think of it as merely adding an "In-Line" subwoofer to your stereo speakers.