Okay, I need help, they are on the way.

[fattyboombah85]

So I finally made some decisions and just went ahead and ordered some stuff as I wanted to create a 2 channel stereo w/ subwoofer.

Here's what i've bought: (so far)

AV123 Ref 1.5's from their b-stock which cost me like $600.
I bought the ULW-10 from their b-stock as well for $320.
I bought the harmon kardon 3480 2 channel reciever for $250ish

Here are the links, respectively.
http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=stock&product=77.1

http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=stock&product=69.1

http://www.amazon.com/Harman-Kardon-HK3480-Stereo-Receiver/dp/B0001FI49I/sr=1-1/qid=1166341087/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-8964194-9325751?ie=UTF8&s=electronics#

Now, I know I need a source. But frankly, I just want to know that if I have a source am I going to be able to hook this sub up with my stereo setup? It doesn't have speaker inputs or whatever. But the $64,000 question is how hard will this **** be able to set up? I don't know much about these kind of electronics. My general understanding is I will be able to use a source > reciever > speakers + sub.

If anyone could give me a little spiel on just how I will be able to set up my system when all the pieces arrive, let me know what I will need et cetera, I will be very grateful. The other recommendations I am looking for is towards my source. I am looking at the DX-C390 - 6-Disc Carousel Changer at around $115 refurb'd. Or the Squeezebox 3. for $300 I'm on the fence, but basically I want to know what will work better with the components i've bought so far.

Guys, I'm really new to this stuff, but I did some research so I knew I was at least getting quality products and I tried to get the best bargain around. I hope I made some good choices and I feel I have, however, i'd kind of be disappointed if I can't get something to work for whatever reason. Thanks.

 

[f0am]

Well judging by your wording, sounds like you have some computer knowladge.
I would say you will have a very simple time hooking everything up.

1) plug source's in be it dvd, cable box... the output from the source go to the intput on the receiver. it will say right on the back "dvd video in" you plug your rca cable in there and so forth
2) plug speakers in... your receiver on the back will say "front left, front right, center, rear left, rear right" you take the positive (red) and negative (black) wires and run them to these jacks
3) plug power in for everything
4) tada invite 3 strippers over for a midnight viewing of "The Girl Next Door", make sure I am invited as well.

Hooking everything up is the easy part. Moving speakers, running wires different places, changing settings... thats the fun constaintly changing part.

 

[racquetman]

I don't think f0am read your post too carefully. Sounds like he thought you were hooking up a 5.1 setup.

I took a quick look at what you bought. Setup will be easy. You'll need speaker wire to hook up your left and right speakers. That goes from the binding posts (red and black connections) on the back of the receiver to the binding posts on the speakers. Then you'll need an rca terminated cable (you can buy one that specifically says "subwoofer cable", but any rca cable should do fine). Connect one end of that cable to the mono subwoofer line out connection on the receiver and the other end to the line input on the subwoofer. Go into the receiver setup menu and tell the receiver you have a subwoofer connected. Set the crossover frequency for the subwoofer. That's about it. Pick a source component and you're set.

 

[JKL1960]

The link to the amp has a rear view and it looks like good news. There are some outputs labeled sub out.

It's really a simple setup.

You'll need a couple of signal wires. RCA to RCA audio cables. One pair for your CD player and a single one (long) for the sub. I'd recommend some 14g wire for your speakers. Unless it will run in wall get some zip cord at a hardware store. Don't buy real expensive signal wire either. Really, $20 max should get a good cable for your CD player. The sub cable might be tougher depending on how long a run you need. If you can't find one cheap enough, ask and about twelve guys will show you some inexpensive substitutes.

Experiment with pointing your speakers and moving your sub to find the best sound to your ears.

Most of all this is supposed to be about having fun and listening to music.

 

[Seth=L]

It isn't likely the H/K has a x-over. The only stereo receiver that I know of that does that is the Outlaw stereo receiver.

And it shouldn't be hard to hook-up. Just like Alan said you can use just one RCA cable to connect the sub to the H/K. On the rear of the H/K there is a subwoofer output. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/B0001FI49I/ref=dp_otherviews_z_1/002-7962383-4348809?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&img=1
If you look at this picture after zooming in you will see "sub out mono". You will connect the sub to that jack there.

Be sure that when you connect your speakers that the polarity is correct. Red-red and black-black AKA postive and negative. Same for RCA jack terminations red-red and white-white. In the chance that you have red and black RCA cables the black is the white.

 

[Seth=L]

The link to the amp has a rear view and it looks like good news. There are some outputs labeled sub out.

It's really a simple setup.

You'll need a couple of signal wires. RCA to RCA audio cables. One pair for your CD player and a single one (long) for the sub. I'd recommend some 14g wire for your speakers. Unless it will run in wall get some zip cord at a hardware store. Don't buy real expensive signal wire either. Really, $20 max should get a good cable for your CD player. The sub cable might be tougher depending on how long a run you need. If you can't find one cheap enough, ask and about twelve guys will show you some inexpensive substitutes.

Experiment with pointing your speakers and moving your sub to find the best sound to your ears.

Most of all this is supposed to be about having fun and listening to music.

Yes, don't buy Monster cable unless you find a place that is liquidating them. Don't buy Audioquest. I would personally get AR or Acoustic Research. Blue Jeans cable is also highly reccomended by the members of this forum.

 

[zumbo]

It isn't likely the H/K has a x-over. The only stereo receiver that I know of that does that is the Outlaw stereo receiver.

WhaWha What? If a receiver has a sub-out, which this one does, there is most definitely a crossover setting. H/K is known for having one of the most adjustable ones out there.

In the rare case it doesn't have an adjustable x-over setting, it will have a crossover setting that is utilized once the sub is set to be on.

 

[Nick250]

This is worth checking out.

http://www.audioholics.com/techtips/setup/index.php

Nick

 

[Pianoman84d]

I'm pretty sure the HK stereo receivers do not have crossovers. Of course their HT receivers do, but not the Stereo ones.

What the lack of a crossover on the ULW-10 means is that you need to use the crossover knob on the sub to adjust where the sub stops working. For the Ref 1.5's I would consider setting it around 50 to 60 hz depending on how it sounds to you. The other good thing about the ULW-10 is that it has one band parametric eq to reduce a room node.

I think you made a very good choice with your purchases, and wish you the best setting them up and enjoying them. Also, if you want to find more Ref 1.5 owners consider posting at av123's forum. A nice group of guys who are happy to help out.

Welcome to the AV123 world.

 

[Pianoman84d]

BTW- I'd go for the Squeezebox as a source.

 

[fattyboombah85]

Allright, I need to check out the link Nick posted and read that. I have to run off to work in 5 so just a few quick things.

1. Thanks all.
2. What is a crossover exactly??
3. Ultimately I LOVE the idea of the squeezebox but at the same time I also like the basic simplicity of a CD player. I feel perhaps it would be nice to have a cd player as a backup type thing because well, sometimes when you have lets say the squeezebox, its interdependant on so many things and lets say your computer crashes it could be just well.... annoying. At the same time, the versatality of it(SB3) is just too beautiful to pass up. I will definatly be getting a squeezebox.. in time, maybe immediatly, but understand I don't own a cd player. So whatcha think?

Thanks all, Glad to join you in this little hobby. While we might fuss over little technicalities, let us not forget its about the music.

 

[JKL1960]

2. What is a crossover exactly??

A crossover splits the frequencies coming into it so that those frequencies can be sent to the appropriate speaker. In a three way speaker the frequencies will be split into bass, midrange and high frequencies. The woofer cannot reproduce high frequencies so no point sending it them, vice versa for a tweeter.

A sub woofer crossover splits the frequencies but basically discards the non-bass. If you set the sub woofer crossover at 100hz it will basically discard frequencies above 100hz (it isn't a brick wall but will roll off with a certain slope). If your main pair of speakers have strong bass response you may set your sub to a low crossover point like 60hz. If your main speakers are small you might want a higher crossover point, 100hz or higher.

If your amp doesn't have a built in sub crossover you will have to use the one on the sub itself. Again, play until it sounds good to you.

I guess it probably won't be long until you ask what that phase adjustment is for.