Subwoofer Hookup to Onkyo TX-800

[Mr. G]

I bought a new subwoofer to hook up to my old Onkyo TX-800 receiver with a pair of speakers. When I connect the subwoofer I get either sound through only the speakers on the A channel or the subwoofer on the B channel, but not both. I switched the subwoofer to A and speakers to B, and same result. If I connect 4 speakers I can get sound in all 4.

The big box store people seemed to think there wouldn't be a problem to add the subwoofer, but now I'm not so sure. This is not my primary sound system and so I don't want to spend a ton of $$. Any thoughts?

 

[nibhaz]

What kinda of subwoofer?

You want to be using the sub pre out connection from your receiver to your sub as the tx-sr800 is capable of bass management. Which is done with a single cable using rca connectors.

 

[Tom V.]

I bought a new subwoofer to hook up to my old Onkyo TX-800 receiver with a pair of speakers. When I connect the subwoofer I get either sound through only the speakers on the A channel or the subwoofer on the B channel, but not both. I switched the subwoofer to A and speakers to B, and same result. If I connect 4 speakers I can get sound in all 4.

The big box store people seemed to think there wouldn't be a problem to add the subwoofer, but now I'm not so sure. This is not my primary sound system and so I don't want to spend a ton of $$. Any thoughts?

Which sub are you using?

I'm not 100% entirely sure what the connection scenario here is?

I'm guessing here-----you only need to use one pair of speakers with the receiver, but you are using the *B* connection terminals for the sub? If so, I would just connect the subwoofer to the same set *A* binding posts as the main speakers. OR--- Connect the A outputs of the receiver to the binding post INPUTs on the sub. Then connect the binding post OUTPUTs of the sub to the speakers. This will put a highpass filter on the main speakers relieving them of the deepest bass signals. The issue here is the built in passive highpass filtering on subwoofer binding posts tend to vary in terms of quality and accuracy.


Tom V.

 

[nibhaz]

Which sub are you using?

I'm not 100% entirely sure what the connection scenario here is?

I'm guessing here-----you only need to use one pair of speakers with the receiver, but you are using the *B* connection terminals for the sub? If so, I would just connect the subwoofer to the same set *A* binding posts as the main speakers. OR--- Connect the A outputs of the receiver to the binding post INPUTs on the sub. Then connect the binding post OUTPUTs of the sub to the speakers. This will put a highpass filter on the main speakers relieving them of the deepest bass signals. The issue here is the built in passive highpass filtering on subwoofer binding posts tend to vary in terms of quality and accuracy.


Tom V.

Tom is correct as ^^^ this ^^^would be the other correct connection scenario which uses the sub crossover network for bass management.

Generally the preferred method is do this via today's modern receivers which is what I reference in my first post however either will solve your current issue which is an incorrect connection method.

 

[Adam]

What kinda of subwoofer?

That's the key right there. If it doesn't have speaker-level inputs and outputs, then this gets a little more involved and won't be optimal.

You want to be using the sub pre out connection from your receiver to your sub as the tx-sr800 is capable of bass management. Which is done with a single cable using rca connectors.

Ahh, but if the OP actually has the TX-800 as stated (and not a typo), then it does not have any bass management or subwoofer output.

 

[nibhaz]

Ahh, but if the OP actually has the TX-800 as stated (and not a typo), then it does not have any bass management or subwoofer output.

I haven't googled but obviously you have so how old is that unit?

I have a tx-sr800 and the older tx-ds898 and both have sub pre outs...of course I assumed most people coming to the interwebs for answers have newer equipment...d@mn you now I'm curious and need to google this myself.

 

[nibhaz]

WHOA

Onkyo TX-800: 35wpc Quartz Synthesized Tuner Amplifier


Okay then the speaker level connection will be needed, and since the OP already hooked up the sub to zone B we can assume it has these, so hopefully it also has a HP crossover and speaker level out connectors as well.

 

[Mr. G]

Thanks for all the quick feedback. The receiver is a TX-800, not the sr800(20 yrs old, +/-). The subwoofer is a Pioneer SW-8MK2.

I will try Tom V's recommendation and let you know how things go. Thanks!

 

[Mr. G]

Hooked the speakers and the subwoofer to the A channel and everything works.

Thanks, you made a teenage boy very happy!

 

[Adam]

Hooked the speakers and the subwoofer to the A channel and everything works.

Thanks, you made a teenage boy very happy!

Awesome! I'm glad those two guys got you hooked up.



Buuut...I'm got to give Ryan a hard time.

I haven't googled but obviously you have so how old is that unit?

I have a tx-sr800 and the older tx-ds898 and both have sub pre outs...

Maybe if you Googled, you'd know that your receiver doesn't have A/B speaker terminals. Just messing with you.

 

[nibhaz]

Maybe if you Googled, you'd know that your receiver doesn't have A/B speaker terminals. Just messing with you.

LOL!!!

Hell it's been nearly 4 years since I've looked at that receiver (it needs serviced), but come to think about it the last unit I had with A/B terminals was a kenwood 50wpc stereo receiver circa 1993. So obviously I should have know better.

You win this time Adam!


Now good day sir! I said good day!