Subwoofer S.O.S & Other stuff

[eadrian]

Alright so let’s clarify my setup, to make things easier

Receiver: Harmon / Kardon AVR 240 (new)
Speaker (Center): Polk Audio CSi5 (new)
Speakers: 6x Cambridge Soundworks Satellite Surround Sounders (old)

Everything’s cool until...

I purchased a Cambridge system last year, with a sub and everything cost me close to $700, figured, hey home theater in a box type thing, but it was better... somehow. How can I go wrong I said!

I'm a technical geek, computers and everything, even bought a pair of Shure headphones for the plane rides I'm often on. I am also an audiophile, but never had the time to setup a proper home theater.

I've since then ditched the amp/receiver from Creative; it was good, but not good enough!

So here’s the deal, the Cambridge system came with a subwoofer. The sub is great, I've been using it close to a year, and love the bass, I didn’t see a need to spend another $400 on a new one if the old ones nice. I know there are so many better subs out there, but until the budget allows for it, and god somehow pays the mortgage, it 'aint happening.

Here’s where it gets complicated. What in the heck is that round thing? In all my life, my subwoofer has had two wires like standard speaker wire and she plugs right in.

It was bad enough I had to convert all the speakers to banana plugs (no biggie, but still, heh)

So, now my subwoofer is useless, and my entire system which I just spent half a fortune on isn’t producing like I'd like to.

I did my research as if my subwoofer was self powered or not. I don’t know what that means, but if it had a power outlet or a wire to plug into the wall, then no, its jut got the one speaker wire.

Is there an adaptor?

I read the banana plug alteration on this site and it was a big help.

SOS, someone please help

Or tell me I need to go out and spend the rest of my salary on the subwoofer...

Regards,

.ea

 

[markw]

You don't have powered subwoofer.

To use your current sub with that receiver, you need to purchase an amplifier. If you're willing to do this then O'm sure others will have advice to offer but, IMNSHO, you just might want to consider a total powered subwoofer. Decent kits can be had for $150 or so at parts express.

 

[j_garcia]

You CAN use the sub with your current setup though, you would just connect it inline with your main speakers - speaker wire to both the sub and the main speakers, though there is one big drawback of doing this and that is power use. The sub uses the most power in the typical system, so that means less total power available to the rest of your speakers.

Going with a cheap amp will probably do the trick, though a powered sub will probably be the better option like markw mentioned. There are a couple of decent options for subs in the $100-$200 range.