Noob Needs help with setup

[Tyler_Durden]

I have a Pioneer VSX-1020 for a receiver and the only sub-woofer hook up I can see is a Sub-Woofer Pre Out. I just purchased a Polk 505 subwoofer and I see it has multiple ways to connect to a receiver. There is a filtered option that looks like I'd need a "Y" connector from the Pre-Out, or an unfiltered one that looks like I could use either an RCA cable or perhaps a Coaxial cable? My first question would be what would you use to connect the sub to the receiver. I am also looking at possibly buying an amp for the subwoofer.

My next question is I also have some Polk Audio Monitor 50 floor standing speakers for my front speakers and a CS1 for my center. I have 2 small Jbl surround speakers in the back. I see the Monitor 50s have 2 connections in the back for basic speaker wire (I am using one from my receiver to the speaker) and the 505 has an area for speaker in and speaker out wires. Should I be using these to enhance my surround experience. I do not have it set up for 7.1 yet but in the future would like to do that as well.

Any advice would be helpful, if I didn't give enough details please let me know.

 

[MDS]

The unfiltered input is the one you'd want to use if you are connecting the sub to the receiver's sub pre-out. You'd set the crossover frequency for directing the bass from the other speakers to the sub in the receiver's setup menu. This is the normal and preferred way to hook up the sub if you are using it for home theater.

You do not need a Y splitter, although using one will not hurt anything. Feeding both left and right low-level inputs will increase the signal level very slightly but not enough that you'll really notice.

The sub has multiple inputs, including the speaker level ('high level') inputs, for flexibility so that the sub can be used in many different setups. If you were to use the speaker level inputs or the filtered low-level inputs (that you connect to with a single 75-ohm cable with an RCA plug on the end or use a Y to connect both the left and right), then the sub would be doing the crossover functions and you set the xover frequency using the xover dial on the sub (it might be labeled 'low pass' filter).

Use a single RCA cable from the receiver's sub pre-out to the subwoofer's unfiltered LFE input and you're all set.