Speaker outs on powered sub

[Inertia]

Most powered subs have speaker outs for the front left and right. What are these for? Will they be run off the subwoofers amplifier? Is this a recommended way to run fronts?

 

[Haoleb]

The speaker input/output is used in systems that do not have preamp or sub outputs. You would run speaker wire to the sub from the amplifier and then from the sub to the speakers. That way the subwoofer has a way to get its signal. You would mainly only use this setup in a 2 channel system as any surround reciever will have a sub or LFE output which is what you should use.

 

[Adam]

To add to Haoleb's response and address one of the questions, I don't believe that a dedicated subwoofer would be powering the speakers from it's own internal amp. I think that the speakers would still be getting the power from the receiver or amp that was supplying the speaker-level signal to the sub.

Now, there are a number of systems that do power speakers from the subwoofer amp, but those are all-in-one systems like home theaters in a box (HTIB) or PC sound systems. Those wouldn't have speaker-level inputs though. I only mention this because your question didn't specify the types of inputs on the sub, so I'm not sure which you were asking about.

 

[fmw]

The speaker outputs are not powered. They are a pass through so that you can use the equipment as Haoleb outlined.

 

[jostenmeat]

Most powered subs have speaker outs for the front left and right. What are these for? Will they be run off the subwoofers amplifier? Is this a recommended way to run fronts?

Using the speaker level output from the sub can be nice for stereo, as subwoofers typically have much more flexible bass mgmt than a receiver would (ie variable xover point, slope, etc).

However, the sub out on a receiver is used by most people to access the discrete LFE track. Using that sub preout on the receiver is the only way to get it. Note that "bass" and "LFE" are not exactly the same; you can have plenty of bass in the various channels, but LFE is only for the sub.

 

[Adam]

However, the sub out on a receiver is used by most people to access the discrete LFE track. Using that sub preout on the receiver is the only way to get it.

Are you sure about that? I can't find it in my Pioneer manual, but I sure thought that (in general with receivers) the LFE track would be played through the front left and right speakers if they were set to large and the subwoofer was set to off.

You have me curious now!

 

[jostenmeat]

Are you sure about that? I can't find it in my Pioneer manual, but I sure thought that (in general with receivers) the LFE track would be played through the front left and right speakers if they were set to large and the subwoofer was set to off.

You have me curious now!

Oh you're right. However, this signal is greatly attenuated on purpose as to protect speakers that can't handle LFE. AFAIK. I think I even read something like 1/20th?? (surely depends on actual receiver model).

Thanks for the correction.

ps could be very wrong... once again!