Subwoofer wire to RAC

[aabc29]

Hi all... I need help with connecting my subwoofer to my new receiver.
Subwoofer background: It is a subwoofer that comes with the home theater package sold by the regular store. Notthing really professional. It has + and - wires that originally could hook up with the DVD player.

Receiver: Just bought this receiver this week. It is a harman/kardon AVR 147 receiver. On the back of this receiver has only one Subwoofer pre-out RCA style plug. It is coded in purple color.

I went to radio shack and bought RCA head and tried to hook up with the wires. However, it did not work, no matter how I changed the wires hook up setting it did not work. ( I mean I switch the + on the center srew, and - on the ground plate; or visersa, etc.) Could anyone give me direction of how to make it happen? Thank you all!!

 

[Haoleb]

It sounds like the subwoofer you have is a passive subwoofer. This means that it does not have any internal amplification and requires an external amplifier. The output signal from your reciever is meant only for powered subwoofers. Sorry to say but from the sound of things you will need to get a new sub.

The only other possibility is that you have a subwoofer with whats called speaker level inputs. But if that is the case there will be two of them. One for the left and one for the right. If this is the case then your ok but from your descirption that is not what you have. Any pictures or model? Most of those home theater in a box things use sort of proprietary systems and many of those subs are passive like i mentioned.

 

[MDS]

If the sub is indeed passive, the only way to wire it would be to use the speaker B terminals and set the receiver to A+B (with the front speakers wired to the A terminals) and that is highly NOT recommended. A+B puts the two sets of speakers in parallel and the sub is surely 4 Ohms or less. That will be a huge strain on the receiver. If the HK behaves like Onkyo receivers, it would only allow stereo when A+B is used.

 

[Haoleb]

If the sub is indeed passive, the only way to wire it would be to use the speaker B terminals and set the receiver to A+B (with the front speakers wired to the A terminals) and that is highly NOT recommended. A+B puts the two sets of speakers in parallel and the sub is surely 4 Ohms or less. That will be a huge strain on the receiver. If the HK behaves like Onkyo receivers, it would only allow stereo when A+B is used.

That is. If there is a built in crossover.

 

[Adam]

If the sub is indeed passive, the OP could also run the subwoofer cable from the receiver pre-out to another amp, and then hook speaker wires up from the amp to the sub.

I second Haoleb: any pictures or model number for your old system?

 

[aabc29]

If the sub is indeed passive, the OP could also run the subwoofer cable from the receiver pre-out to another amp, and then hook speaker wires up from the amp to the sub.

I second Haoleb: any pictures or model number for your old system?

aabc29:
What is OP? Sorry I am not really a pro player. If I need to buy a new sub.. what will be the cheapest one. Thank you for your reply

 

[Haoleb]

Op means original poster. You.

I dont know what the cheapest one out is but you get what you pay for...