How to use a sub in a BookShelf stereo setup ?

[sachin_k5]

Hi all,

If i am using BookShelf speakers and need more bass how do i use a sub ? I have a 2 channel amp. Should a passive sub be used or a active ? How should it be connected to the amp ?

 

[psychotropic]

no, don't use a passive sub. If your amp has a sub pre-out, then connect that to the sub, otherwise get a sub that accepts speaker level inputs, then connect speaker wire from the amp to the sub, the sub will apply a crossover and send the mids and highs to the speaker.

 

[sachin_k5]

no, don't use a passive sub. If your amp has a sub pre-out, then connect that to the sub, otherwise get a sub that accepts speaker level inputs, then connect speaker wire from the amp to the sub, the sub will apply a crossover and send the mids and highs to the speaker.

But how ? I have A and B outputs from my amp, as of now my speakers are connected to A. so you are saying take one channel from B and connect it to the active sub ?

Does a sub + bs have the same effect as a Floorstander ?

 

[psychotropic]

no

the chain is like this CDP > amp > sub > speakers in the case of speaker level inputs. So you take speaker wire from your A or B speaker outs and connect them to the sub like you would connect them to speakers, take out speaker wire from your sub (from a different "speaker out" terminal) and connect it to your speakers.

if the amp has a sub pre-out then CDP > amp [sub/speakers - Here your existing connection will remain the same, just that a connection will go from the sub pre-out to your sub.

But how ? I have A and B outputs from my amp, as of now my speakers are connected to A. so you are saying take one channel from B and connect it to the active sub ?

Does a sub + bs have the same effect as a Floorstander ?

 

[doors666]

if you have speaker A & B outputs, I think you should be able to connect the sub speaker level inputs to the B outputs of the amp and connect speakers to the A output. Select A & B switch on the amp, the sub will not be presenting a load to the amp, just using the signal and amplifying it. Can anyone confirm if this will work.

 

[panditji]

if you have speaker A & B outputs, I think you should be able to connect the sub speaker level inputs to the B outputs of the amp and connect speakers to the A output. Select A & B switch on the amp, the sub will not be presenting a load to the amp, just using the signal and amplifying it. Can anyone confirm if this will work.

I would be most interested to know if the above point mentioned works well as I have an amp with no sub out....

 

[sonosphere]

Hi,
I have not tried this myself however logically speaking it should work.
Reason:
1. When you connect your stereo speaker to A output you are doing the normal connection (amplified output direct to speakers). So no issues here.
2. When you connect your Sub to B output, it is a tedious version of normal connection (amplified output is processed and recieved as source-signal by sub > the source-signal is filtered and only the low-end part is again amplified > the amplified output is fed to the subwoofer driver)

There is one adverse issue i suspect in above situation....
In case your your Bookshelves go down till say 60 Hz, and for some reason your sub crossover is set at 80Hz (which can't be set lower), then there is likelyhood of a boost in bass freq between 60 Hz to 80 Hz. You may find this boost to be favourable (in case you're a bass fanatic) or you may find the effect muddy /lacking clarity /adding confusion to the whole sound.

To keep things simple just make the connections using A output only.

Regds,

if you have speaker A & B outputs, I think you should be able to connect the sub speaker level inputs to the B outputs of the amp and connect speakers to the A output. Select A & B switch on the amp, the sub will not be presenting a load to the amp, just using the signal and amplifying it. Can anyone confirm if this will work.

 

[hifipal4all]

Hi

Check out my posting on this link that briefs about subwoofer connection on a stereo setup.

http://www.hifivision.com/amplifiers/2563-bass-management-stereo-2-1-system.html

Cheers,
Ramesh