Subwoofer and stereo amp

[huguini]

Hi, how can I connect a powered subwoofer to a stereo amp?
Is that posible?

Thanks in advance

 

[markw]

yes.

You could use either line level outputs from between your preamp/power amp stages if you have them or your amp's speaker outputs to the speaker level inputs on your sub.

Make sure the sub you buy has what you need.

 

[jcPanny]

You could use either line level outputs from between your preamp/power amp stages if you have them or your amp's speaker outputs to the speaker level inputs on your sub.

Make sure the sub you buy has what you need.

To add to the above, the powered sub will not be drawing power from the amp, so connect the subs speaker level outputs to the main L and R speakers. Use the sub's knob to adjust the crossover frequency.

 

[mulester7]

Hi, how can I connect a powered subwoofer to a stereo amp?
Is that posible?

Thanks in advance

.....Huguini, which stereo amp do you have?....and, is it a stereo receiver?....does it have a tuner/radio section?.....

 

[jcPanny]

If it is a stereo receiver, you can probably use the "speaker B" connections.

 

[mulester7]

If it is a stereo receiver, you can probably use the "speaker B" connections.

.....here's a question for anyone....if Huguini has a stereo receiver with A and B speaker output terminals/posts, and is trying to use a powered sub that has speaker terminals/posts inputs, and is sending the signals to the sub using the receiver output terminal/posts B, if nothing is "outputted" from the powered sub via output speaker terminals/posts, and the speaker wire to the sub is only being used to send the signals to the sub, would the receiver get warmer using both the A and B speaker terminals?....I mean, the speaker wire inputs to the sub are not pushing anything, just delivering the signals....and yes, regular speakers are being pushed by the A speaker output terminals/posts of the receiver using, sure, speaker wire....and, what would be a better solution given all the factors above?.....start the clock.....

 

[Buckle-meister]

...if Huguini has a stereo receiver with A and B speaker output terminals/posts, and is trying to use a powered sub that has speaker terminals/posts inputs and sending the signals to the sub using the receiver output terminal/posts B, if nothing is "outputted" from the powered sub via output speaker terminals/posts, and the speaker wire to the sub is only being used to send the signals to the sub, would the receiver get warmer using both the A and B speaker terminals?

I would hazard the guess that the receiver would get warmer, though only slightly. My reasoning is that whilst you are correct Mulester7 () that the receiver isn't physically driving the sub (the sub's own independantly powered amp is doing that), nevertheless the amp must still send the musical/film content 'down the line', which must use energy, which therefore must cause the receiver to do work. If work is done, energy will be lost in the form of heat, so the receiver gets warmer. Voilla!

On the other hand, if terminals A and B are already being used, then B exchanged from the mains (biwired perhaps) to the sub, I wouldn't expect any change in receiver temperature.

I also think it should be noted that even if a way can be found to get the sub going from the A or B terminals, it'll only be duplicating content from the mains as opposed to reproducing content which has been diverted from non full-range speakers as per the usual crossover.

Regards

 

[Nick250]

It would seem to me that the cleanest solution would be to not use the speaker B out at all, but instead run speaker A to the subwoofer and from the sub to the speakers and then adjust the sub's crossover to taste. This does two things in my (1) you let the powered sub handle all the lows which as it should be and (2) there is a good possibility the speakers will sound better since they are relieved of low frequency duties. It seems obvious to me, am I completely missing something here? It would not be the first time that has happened.

 

[mulester7]

I would hazard the guess that the receiver would get warmer, though only slightly

.....ok, Buckle-Meister has ventured the answer the receiver's two amp sections would only get a slight bit warmer....hey, I didn't ask the question like I'm a know-it-all, far from it....it was a legit question....I have an experiment now going using my two-channel amp to the rears, with the rears disconnected at the speakers....an early report would be the usage-indicator lights on the front of the amp are lighting as brightly as normal, and the top of the amp is as warm as normal.....

 

[mulester7]

It would seem to me that the cleanest solution would be to not use the speaker B out at all, but instead run speaker A to the subwoofer and from the sub to the speakers and then adjust the sub's crossover to taste. This does two things in my (1) you let the powered sub handle all the lows which as it should be and (2) there is a good possibility the speakers will sound better since they are relieved of low frequency duties. It seems obvious to me, am I completely missing something here? It would not be the first time that has happened.

.....and, it's an Audioholics T-shirt for Nick....sure, this is the prescribed method for using a powered sub that has speaker terminal inputs and outputs for usage with a stereo receiver that has no pre-outs....and, it appears using both A and B at stereo-receiver level, even if B is actually powering nothing, produces heat more than slightly....still monitoring the amp that is powering nothing, and it's as warm as usual....hey, what else did we have to do on a Friday evening?.......

 

[mulester7]

.....Nick, if you want to trade in that T-shirt for a chance at a box of Audioholic cigars, try this one.....

....you have four 8 ohm speakers, and a stereo receiver.....which would produce more heat from the amp sections of the receiver?.....hooking up all four normally L&R to both A and B, or paralleling all four L&R on A?.....

 

[mulester7]

.....you have four 8 ohm speakers, and a stereo receiver.....which would produce more heat from the amp sections of the receiver?.....hooking up all four normally L&R to both A and B, or paralleling all four L&R on A?.....

....anyone?......

 

[MDS]

Should be the same. A+B puts the speakers in parallel.

 

[mulester7]

Should be the same. A+B puts the speakers in parallel.

....and it's a box of Audioholic cigars for MDS!!....PM Clint, haha.....hey, not trying to be silly, but this section is for new guys....they need to learn too.....

 

[Sheep]

I don't know. I have had speakers running from the A and B channels before. I have also had 2 speakers coming from one speaker terminal. When I cranked them both, the one with 2 speakers from one terminal made the reciever shut down.

Either way, its alot of stress for a reciever. Plus, MDS knows more then I, take his advice.


SheepStar

 

[Afro_GT]

If you have a HK 2 channel receiver like the 3380 or 3480, it has a built in subwoofer output. Then the connection would be very simple.