..hmmm... the very best way is to direct connect from RCA line out AND main out (RCA Y connectors) on a Vintage Receiver into High Level Inputs on a powered sub woofer. T...I connected a Marantz 2275 to an ENERGY EPS-100 Sub...piece of cake...Must be Y connectors and connected Horizontally L & R and NOT vertically L & R.
@@adirectconflict The 'pre-out RCA' plugs have volume controlled by the Volume knob, and that's what you need to happen; while the 'tape deck record out RCA' plugs have a constant volume level and you want the sub-woofer volume to follow the volume level of the speakers connected to A or B, or both.
Thank God. Finally a solution that caters to absolutely everyone....so many videos that offer this then go on to tell you "it only applies if ....." Great video. Subscribed. The end
..hmmm... the very best way is to direct connect from RCA line out AND main out (RCA Y connectors) on a Vintage Receiver into High Level Inputs on a powered sub woofer. T...I connected a Marantz 2275 to an ENERGY EPS-100 Sub...piece of cake...Must be Y connectors and connected Horizontally L & R and NOT vertically L & R.
@@adirectconflict The 'pre-out RCA' plugs have volume controlled by the Volume knob, and that's what you need to happen; while the 'tape deck record out RCA' plugs have a constant volume level and you want the sub-woofer volume to follow the volume level of the speakers connected to A or B, or both.
Waited three years to actually see it, when you have to use the "pre out". Tnx An hour later got it all working and sounding beautifully. Again thanks a mill.
..hmmm... the very best way is to direct connect from RCA line out AND main out (RCA Y connectors) on a Vintage Receiver into High Level Inputs on a powered sub woofer. T...I connected a Marantz 2275 to an ENERGY EPS-100 Sub...piece of cake...Must be Y connectors and connected Horizontally L & R and NOT vertically L & R.
@@adirectconflict The 'pre-out RCA' plugs have volume controlled by the Volume knob, and that's what you need to happen; while the 'tape deck record out RCA' plugs have a constant volume level and you want the sub-woofer volume to follow the volume level of the speakers connected to A or B, or both.
I got this figured out on my own a few years ago. I wish I would have found your channel back then, it took me a while to get it right. What a difference it makes to add a sub to your vintage system. I went from a good stereo sound to what seems for all the world like being at a nightclub. You get that rich floor to your sound that really gives you a live performance feeling. I love it.
Thanks for this video - I have run into all of the scenarios you discussed in connecting subwoofers to a variety of vintage (and not-so vintage) home and car equipment. I'm a little embarrassed to say that I never thought to check the load with an ohm meter, as you did, by splicing the wires from the subwoofer and speaker. I really enjoy your low-key and informative style - please keep 'em coming!
@@skylabsaudio great video, cool chill style. I have a question, why is using the high level speaker out better than line level? and why not use the tape deck record out rca outputs instead of going out of the pre amp? would the record out on my technics su8600 be from directly from the pre amp anyway?
@@aaronbridges8098 The 'pre-out RCA' plugs have volume controlled by the Volume knob, and that's what you need to happen; while the 'tape deck record out RCA' plugs have a constant volume level and you want the sub-woofer volume to follow the volume level of the speakers connected to A or B, or both.
another great video Kevin. I just got a sub. I have it hooked up to the "B" speaker outputs so I can easily switch it in & out to compare the difference in frequency response & set the gain level .....
I'd never had a subwoofer, but I found my new 20 watt valve amp just didn't have enough bass so I bought a second hand Velodyne and I was blown away by how well it worked. Very useful video, thanks.
Originally I was using my vintage receiver minus the sub, but on some songs I could "feel" something lacking in the lower range. Adding a small sub at 50hz has taken care of that.
I never thought I would want a sub, but I won one in an auction lot and needed to test it to sell it. Most stuff I don't feel a need for it, but for bass heavy stuff like Funk and Disco, it added an extra oomph for parties I liked. I ended up keeping it. I just connected it to my B speaker jacks. It was great to find out I can just add another pair of speakers to it without a problem.
I bought a little line level converter from my local car audio store. The owner had never heard of using one for adding a sub to a vintage receiver. If you get one like this kicker with the attenuation pots, definitely start from the bottom and work you way up. I found on the one I bought that all the way "up" was full pass through. They ended up about 5% up from 0.
I used your solution 1. My bookshelf loudspeakers now sound more balanced being fed the full range output of the receiver. My receiver serves as a power amp for the stereo DAC, so the “point one” of the 5.1 feature of its sub out wouldn’t be missed anyway. As you showed, the hi level inputs of the subwoofer connected with the wire to the speakers worked perfectly. Thanks.
Glad I found your channel. I have been out of the loop for hifi for a long time. Recently got reacquainted with my equipment enjoying listening and following again. Thanks for the info!
Looks like all these connections will work, nice. The drawback might be that the sub crossover is not limiting the bass to the little main speakers? Thanks for the vid.
A lot of newer subs don't have the speaker level input. I use a similar adaptor in my system. It sounds better using the speaker out to an adaptor than a sub out. Even when using modern gear.
I just took a line from my headphone socket out to RCA in on the sub. I’m sure that’s probably not right, but it works, and has for the last few years without issue😬😉
My brother used to be able to push his curvy thumb back and touch his forearm.👍 I have done version 1 with my little Class D Nobsound bluetooth receiver. People can't believe how much sound comes out of my little tiny setup in my kitchen, with a hidden sub.
Out to the sub and back to the amp effectively makes the sub wiring a sonic filter. If you avoid it in the chain, it is one less component to filter and / or add electronically induced noise. I run dual subs. R / L subs via a Y output per pre out to a Y and run each sub in mono off off a single output channel. Powered subs add miniscule load to the system because they are self powered.
Your recommendations are spot on! Wish this was common knowledge 20 years ago when I got into a PI$$ING match at the high end sales store where I was shopping for a 12" Sub with 'High Level' speaker inputs for my Kenwood Model 11. My Kenwood Model 11 was sold in the US Military Audio/Photo shops in Germany so it does not have Serise I, II or III but is 80 watts. Maybe not the best THD but works well for me. Been recap'ed 15 years ago. I knew the Sub's High Level Inputs were well over 60 ohms and basically a ghost to the receiver. But the Model 11 also has a switch to separate the Pre-Amp from the Amp but I wanted to do the High Level. The sales man kept trying to upsell me a new 2.1 amp with a sub output. He and his store did not get the sale. The store is now long gone.
Curious, could you hook up 2 sets of speakers and 2 subs off the A & B speaker outputs? In order to have a set of speakers and a sub in two different rooms running off the one receiver.
Very informative video and worked like a charm. I just hooked up the Kicker converter to my Onkyo TX 1500 and my humble 2.1 system sounds incredible. Been watching your videos for quite some time. Thanks for the entertainment and the knowledge.
I suggestion in addition to this that I often have employed with vintage receivers in the past. is I don't know about a lot of other people but I have tended to listen to a lot of my music at a particular volume without really deviating too much from that volume. so what I've done in the past is use one of the tape outs or the tape out on any particular receiver and plug that directly into a subwoofer. now of course one of the problems with doing that is as you increase or decrease the volume the subwoofer won't scale with the volume of the amplifier but in my specific case where I don't really change the volume a whole lot the volume control on the subwoofer itself is all I needed.
Hi Kevin, Thanks for making this video, After watching I stopped using the preouts on my Marantz 2275 to my 2 Infinity BU-1's & used the High level inputs instead & used the High Level outputs of the subs to my Shure SR112W's, What a audible improvement! I thought the RCA inputs were the better method to use instead of the High levels, The y adapter on the main in & pre outs was also very enlightening, Love your videos and straight forward presentation style, Nice thumbs
It’s an awesome video and it was incredibly well-explained. It completely cleared up all my doubts. 🎥✨ I just wanted to thank you for sharing. Your recommendation was spot on! 🤗
This is a great subscription. Down to earth, practical and very honest - thank you !!! Can you do a video on how to connect a Blue-Tooth to a vintage receiver. Thanks again . . .
Awesome, thanks so much for this video! Was about to give up on a sub I picked up for my garage. Pioneer SX-1300 receiver with Sony bookshelfs and wanted more bottom end. Never thought of wiring the speakers and the sub together like that, works perfectly. Cheers!
Outrageously informative. I’m great full for this info. Just picked up a bunch of older Pioneer material with a Boze subwoofer, now, I know how to deal with it. Saved the flick though.
I used first scenario. I have a Polk powered subwoofer, run speaker wires to the sub, and from the sub to the speakers. Sub has a built in crossover. Runs fine on my SX-450 and Polk bookshelf speakers.
Can I use a y splitter on the RCA inputs and join both channels of the amp outputs together to make a mono amp for my passive sub speaker on will this damage the amp
An excellent bottom-dollar option: A pair of the original series of Boston Acoustics A40 (as seen in the bookshelf speakers video) going through a passive Realistic Optimus Pro SW-12 subwoofer. Replace the surrounds as needed, of course. I ran this combination for years with an NAD 3120 integrated amp, and had no need for the loudness button.
I have an old jvc ax-44 2ch stereo and have been using a sub with a pac sni-35 LOC. Been working great. Gonna try the y splitter way to see if I can hear a difference.
Hi Kevin Thanks to your clear and concise explanation I have just used method one to connect a 10" powered sub to a Dual CV31 integrated amplifier from 1973. Amp at 10 watts/channel, sub at 150 watts all at 8 ohms. I did the easy thing of high pass out to speakers back. It worked beautifully and sounded great even spinning my licorice on an AT Sound Burger. Thank you for the new skill and the extra fun it will bring. G
..hmmm... the very best way is to direct connect from RCA line out AND main out (RCA Y connectors) on a Vintage Receiver into High Level Inputs on a powered sub woofer. T...I connected a Marantz 2275 to an ENERGY EPS-100 Sub...piece of cake...Must be Y connectors and connected Horizontally L & R and NOT vertically L & R.
When using the first method where you run speaker wires to the hi level input and then from the hi level output to the speakers, does it still bring the sub ohms down to 8 ohms?
I lucked out with my Sansui au-5500 the preamp out/in are internally connected via a switch. the output rc’s signal I went off to line level input of sub. Externally jumpered would require the y-cable as you have shown.
while connected in position #2, will adjusting the subs gain and/or low pass filter adjustment effect both the sub and the speakers output OR just the sub output? ty
hi I am using the Pioneer a-10k 2x50w receiver, and decided after years to add a subwoofer, an active yamaha sw-p201 I got, and connected it to the B level, having my passive speakers on A. With a little gain the amplifier started to shut itself off, for some reason, found this video and gonna try to rewire it as per 1st scenario, keeping it all in As, wish me luck :)
Hey bro thank you so much, this is exactly my situation right now. I'm gonna connect my 18" Sub to my home stereo receiver that has no sub output connection. Thanks for your insightful video and I love the way you patiently explain it all and don't rush through it. Kudos my brother. Take care stay up and stay Blessed †
Yeah Man it is turning out that most people can detect the Ring Of Truth (or it's absence) pretty well. That is why I like this video "been there done that - I highly recommend you do it this way and don't do it that other way". I'd lay money that your simple way of laying out the probably best methods while also mentioning the less good ideas - has probably saved several vintage amps from being hurt.
This video is so helpful! Thank you!! Questions- if I have two subwoofers do I send left and right audio to both or one give one sub left one sub right like speakers?
Thank you so much for this video. My sansui has a second set of pre out plugs and the u shaped plugs for the other pre out and in can I use the second preout for the sub?
Have scenario 3 and set it up and works fine, just have a pesky subwoofer hum that comes with it. Would this be due to this set up or some other issue? Using the Skar Audio SKAR2CH-LOC for the converter.
👍🏻😎Both of my systems have amplifiers that don't cut power when both the A and B channels are selected and neither one is new enough to have subwoofer outputs. I run a pair of speakers on each channel (a pair on A and a pair on B) and a dedicated subwoofer hooked up speaker level on each channel for a total of 2 subwoofers. I think that configuration sounds the best to my ears. I had a friend tell me a long time ago that I was stupid for running it that way (speaker level Vs. low level) without hearing it first. Needless to say he doesn't come around anymore and I don't ever hear from him anymore either so it must have been a complete shock to him just how good it sounds that way. He thought the only way to hook them up was low level. I think that even if I had an amp with subwoofer outputs I would still hook it up speaker level.
I have a Fisher 500c that I'm trying to connect to a powered subwoofer with RCA L and R inputs, along with an LFE input. There are no speaker wire inputs. My Fisher has a Center Channel speaker terminal. Would I connect the Center speaker terminal to the Sub RCA inputs, using a line level adapter? Thanks so much for your informative videos.
For the converter, I have used a Russound ADP 1.2, these are made for home Hifi, not car audio, so no extra wires! Just thought I'd share that. Russound calls it a speaker level to line level interface. Love the channel, keep the info vids coming!! (Also works for using an old, small reciever with no pre-out to connect to an amplifier via RCA or "line level"). Any thoughts on the Pioneer HPM 100's? Looking at a set, never heard them, good, bad?? Please share! Cheers!
I’m really enjoying your channel, keep it up ! Because of you I just acquired a vintage Toshiba SA-7100 monster receiver to pair with my recently acquired Thorens Td-160. I brought my Sansui SP-X8000’s out of the mothballs. We’ll see how it goes. Thanks
I have used passive Subs for years love the them as long as the crossover in the sub is of good quality and can produce either 120hz - 30hz or 80hz-20hz My DBX 15" bottom firing sub woofer shakes the walls with my my baby Advent II's. powered subs would be my next upgrade.
I think I might have a possible 4th scenario. My slightly over 20 year old integrated amp has a "Pre-Out 2" with its own volume control. I'm considering adding a sub-woofer and thinking that would be the best connection option (it doesn't have a sub out). Apologies if you covered that option. 😊
Good day, need to ask, is it okay to connect from the high level of the amplifier directly to the RCA of the sub using RCA to bare wire connectors? This is without using a converter. Saw a couple of premium RCA to bare wire connectors and was wondering if this is what they are used for. Would really appreciate a reply on this. Thanks.
Have a Kenwood kr 6160 1970 receiver. Supports 3 pairs of speakers, only use one pair. But this receiver has a RCA mono jack that supports a center speaker or sub out. This jack output is located on the rear panel next to the speakers terminals. One RCA cable to my pioneer active sub works. Output on the mono jack is always present. Nice surprise on this receiver.
I have 2 binding posts on my speakers for bi-wiring. I don’t bi-wire as it makes no audible (to my ears) difference to the sound. I keep the jumpers on, and simply connect the subwoofer inputs to the second binding posts.
No it won't work the same way. A powered sub also has a crossover built in. Passive subs do not have the crossover. So feeding it from the receiver will send a full range signal to your sub. You will be getting the full audio range, but with the mids and highs rolled off horribly by the limitations of the subwoofer speaker.
When you run wires from the High Level Outputs to the speakers, is the subwoofer crossover limiting the low frequency signal to these outputs? If so, my thought is that this would be superior as the main speakers are only fed frequencies at which they can perform well.
Slightly off topic question… I have a receiver with a high level sub out, can I run a single wireset to one of the high level inputs of the active sub? Would this create any issues only having the one wire running?
Would utilizing the high level input on the sub hooked to the amp then output from the sub to the speaker alter or colour the sound as opposed to hooking the speaker directly to the amp?
Question: in terms of sound quality, which option is the most recommended? I do have the same Amplifier Pioneer SX 780 and I am looking to add a subwoofer to my existing Kef tower speakers Q950
Thanks for this video - no one else offers info this clear! Q: I may have to go with option 1, ---- but for option 2, my int.amp (Rotel A11) only has pre-out (no Main-in) and my sub (PolkAudio PSW10) only has line in. Would I still need 'Y' cables and if so, they would go from the int.amp pre-out to ???? thanks again!
Thanks for this video. I am converting woofer speakers into a pair of subs. Here in Brazil speaker prices are 3x what they are in the U.S. Could you make a short video on best hook-up solution, mono and stereo for passive subs?
First, great video! I’ve always done the 1st option with main speakers in A and sub in B. As you mentioned, it’s nice to turn the sub off if you want via turning off B. But also, I have high quality speaker wire that’s thick with banana plugs at the ends, making it hard to put both into A like you were with basic speaker wire. Even with a banana plug adapter, for older receivers that aren’t set up for banana plugs (like the Pioneer in this video) it would be hard to connect the speakers and sub to A
Feeding it back serves as a jumper so your main speakers will still work. Typically the preamp is connected to power in via jumper otherwise the preamp simply outputs the signal from the receiver.
So my bad, I bought Edifier Bookshelf speakers without a sub out (Edifier R1280DB). How do I add a subwoofer to them? Just connecting a Turntable. Do I connect the Turntable RCAs to the Sub in and then Sub Out to the Line In on the Bookshelf speakers?
Could I run stereo subs using the first method? If so, would it just be a simple matter of running a wire from the one sub's LEFT HIGH LEVEL INPUT to the left channel output on the amp (together with the left main speaker) and running a wire from the other sub's RIGHT HIGH LEVEL INPUT to the right channel output on the amp (together with the right main speaker)?
So I have a preamp that has a subwoofer out but my power amp doesn’t have a subwoofer input, can I just connect the subwoofer output from the preamp to a power subwoofer?
The 8 ohms is IMPEDANCE, i.e. tit is an active or dynamic property, not just a resistive property. I'm glad this works, you helped me out, but you technically can't measure the impedance with just an ohm meter designed to measure resistance, exclusively.
The best tutorial on the internet regarding this topic! From the meter to the hookup, VERY well done, thank you!
..hmmm... the very best way is to direct connect from RCA line out AND main out (RCA Y connectors) on a Vintage Receiver into High Level Inputs on a powered sub woofer. T...I connected a Marantz 2275 to an ENERGY EPS-100 Sub...piece of cake...Must be Y connectors and connected Horizontally L & R and NOT vertically L & R.
@@adirectconflict The 'pre-out RCA' plugs have volume controlled by the Volume knob, and that's what you need to happen; while the 'tape deck record out RCA' plugs have a constant volume level and you want the sub-woofer volume to follow the volume level of the speakers connected to A or B, or both.
Thank God. Finally a solution that caters to absolutely everyone....so many videos that offer this then go on to tell you "it only applies if ....."
Great video. Subscribed. The end
..hmmm... the very best way is to direct connect from RCA line out AND main out (RCA Y connectors) on a Vintage Receiver into High Level Inputs on a powered sub woofer. T...I connected a Marantz 2275 to an ENERGY EPS-100 Sub...piece of cake...Must be Y connectors and connected Horizontally L & R and NOT vertically L & R.
@@adirectconflict The 'pre-out RCA' plugs have volume controlled by the Volume knob, and that's what you need to happen; while the 'tape deck record out RCA' plugs have a constant volume level and you want the sub-woofer volume to follow the volume level of the speakers connected to A or B, or both.
Waited three years to actually see it, when you have to use the "pre out".
Tnx
An hour later got it all working and sounding beautifully.
Again thanks a mill.
..hmmm... the very best way is to direct connect from RCA line out AND main out (RCA Y connectors) on a Vintage Receiver into High Level Inputs on a powered sub woofer. T...I connected a Marantz 2275 to an ENERGY EPS-100 Sub...piece of cake...Must be Y connectors and connected Horizontally L & R and NOT vertically L & R.
@@adirectconflict The 'pre-out RCA' plugs have volume controlled by the Volume knob, and that's what you need to happen; while the 'tape deck record out RCA' plugs have a constant volume level and you want the sub-woofer volume to follow the volume level of the speakers connected to A or B, or both.
I got this figured out on my own a few years ago. I wish I would have found your channel back then, it took me a while to get it right. What a difference it makes to add a sub to your vintage system. I went from a good stereo sound to what seems for all the world like being at a nightclub. You get that rich floor to your sound that really gives you a live performance feeling. I love it.
Can You help me please
Thanks for this video - I have run into all of the scenarios you discussed in connecting subwoofers to a variety of vintage (and not-so vintage) home and car equipment. I'm a little embarrassed to say that I never thought to check the load with an ohm meter, as you did, by splicing the wires from the subwoofer and speaker. I really enjoy your low-key and informative style - please keep 'em coming!
Thanks!
@@skylabsaudio great video, cool chill style. I have a question, why is using the high level speaker out better than line level? and why not use the tape deck record out rca outputs instead of going out of the pre amp? would the record out on my technics su8600 be from directly from the pre amp anyway?
@@aaronbridges8098 The 'pre-out RCA' plugs have volume controlled by the Volume knob, and that's what you need to happen; while the 'tape deck record out RCA' plugs have a constant volume level and you want the sub-woofer volume to follow the volume level of the speakers connected to A or B, or both.
@@kylesmithiii6150 ahuh! well that makes perfect sense!
another great video Kevin. I just got a sub. I have it hooked up to the "B" speaker outputs so I can easily switch it in & out to compare the difference in frequency response & set the gain level .....
I'd never had a subwoofer, but I found my new 20 watt valve amp just didn't have enough bass so I bought a second hand Velodyne and I was blown away by how well it worked. Very useful video, thanks.
Very nice!
Originally I was using my vintage receiver minus the sub, but on some songs I could "feel" something lacking in the lower range. Adding a small sub at 50hz has taken care of that.
I never thought I would want a sub, but I won one in an auction lot and needed to test it to sell it. Most stuff I don't feel a need for it, but for bass heavy stuff like Funk and Disco, it added an extra oomph for parties I liked. I ended up keeping it. I just connected it to my B speaker jacks. It was great to find out I can just add another pair of speakers to it without a problem.
I bought a little line level converter from my local car audio store. The owner had never heard of using one for adding a sub to a vintage receiver. If you get one like this kicker with the attenuation pots, definitely start from the bottom and work you way up. I found on the one I bought that all the way "up" was full pass through. They ended up about 5% up from 0.
I used your solution 1. My bookshelf loudspeakers now sound more balanced being fed the full range output of the receiver. My receiver serves as a power amp for the stereo DAC, so the “point one” of the 5.1 feature of its sub out wouldn’t be missed anyway. As you showed, the hi level inputs of the subwoofer connected with the wire to the speakers worked perfectly. Thanks.
New to getting into the vintage hifi game and really appreciate this video! Will make connecting a sub to my Pioneer receiver a breeze.
Glad I found your channel. I have been out of the loop for hifi for a long time. Recently got reacquainted with my equipment enjoying listening and following again. Thanks for the info!
I just learned how to do scenario #2 on Sunday by a young election. As always, I greatly appreciate you hardwork.
Yes - I've actually used #3 - it's not super sleek, but it does work! Good job!
Looks like all these connections will work, nice. The drawback might be that the sub crossover is not limiting the bass to the little main speakers? Thanks for the vid.
I have two different make of subwoofers. Can I hook up the speaker out of one sub woofer to the second sub woofer instead of going to the speakers?
those type of thumbs are perfect for hitch hiking
A lot of newer subs don't have the speaker level input. I use a similar adaptor in my system. It sounds better using the speaker out to an adaptor than a sub out. Even when using modern gear.
I just took a line from my headphone socket out to RCA in on the sub. I’m sure that’s probably not right, but it works, and has for the last few years without issue😬😉
Thx man.. Good stuff.. Nice to see a demo of what was tumbling in my mind
Oh! Thank you for telling us about the attenuation pots. I might go this route.
Enjoyed those concise explanations.
Thank you for all that you do for us that do not know. Could you do a deep dive into speaker cables and the different connectors?
ok kev i bought one thanks for the video my klipsch only has 2 rca inputs no outs hope this will work
My brother used to be able to push his curvy thumb back and touch his forearm.👍
I have done version 1 with my little Class D Nobsound bluetooth receiver. People can't believe how much sound comes out of my little tiny setup in my kitchen, with a hidden sub.
Wonderful video. What if you're working with 4 ohm speakers and want to use the speaker inputs and outputs on the sub?
Out to the sub and back to the amp effectively makes the sub wiring a sonic filter. If you avoid it in the chain, it is one less component to filter and / or add electronically induced noise. I run dual subs. R / L subs via a Y output per pre out to a Y and run each sub in mono off off a single output channel. Powered subs add miniscule load to the system because they are self powered.
Your recommendations are spot on!
Wish this was common knowledge 20 years ago when I got into a PI$$ING match at the high end sales store where I was shopping for a 12" Sub with 'High Level' speaker inputs for my Kenwood Model 11. My Kenwood Model 11 was sold in the US Military Audio/Photo shops in Germany so it does not have Serise I, II or III but is 80 watts. Maybe not the best THD but works well for me. Been recap'ed 15 years ago.
I knew the Sub's High Level Inputs were well over 60 ohms and basically a ghost to the receiver. But the Model 11 also has a switch to separate the Pre-Amp from the Amp but I wanted to do the High Level. The sales man kept trying to upsell me a new 2.1 amp with a sub output. He and his store did not get the sale. The store is now long gone.
You sghould probably use method two , which will free up your amplifier to only play your satellites.
Curious, could you hook up 2 sets of speakers and 2 subs off the A & B speaker outputs? In order to have a set of speakers and a sub in two different rooms running off the one receiver.
Very informative video and worked like a charm. I just hooked up the Kicker converter to my Onkyo TX 1500 and my humble 2.1 system sounds incredible. Been watching your videos for quite some time. Thanks for the entertainment and the knowledge.
I suggestion in addition to this that I often have employed with vintage receivers in the past. is I don't know about a lot of other people but I have tended to listen to a lot of my music at a particular volume without really deviating too much from that volume. so what I've done in the past is use one of the tape outs or the tape out on any particular receiver and plug that directly into a subwoofer. now of course one of the problems with doing that is as you increase or decrease the volume the subwoofer won't scale with the volume of the amplifier but in my specific case where I don't really change the volume a whole lot the volume control on the subwoofer itself is all I needed.
Hi Kevin,
Thanks for making this video, After watching I stopped using the preouts on my Marantz 2275 to my 2 Infinity BU-1's & used the High level inputs instead & used the High Level outputs of the subs to my Shure SR112W's, What a audible improvement! I thought the RCA inputs were the better method to use instead of the High levels, The y adapter on the main in & pre outs was also very enlightening, Love your videos and straight forward presentation style, Nice thumbs
It’s an awesome video and it was incredibly well-explained. It completely cleared up all my doubts. 🎥✨
I just wanted to thank you for sharing. Your recommendation was spot on! 🤗
This is a great subscription. Down to earth, practical and very honest - thank you !!! Can you do a video on how to connect a Blue-Tooth to a vintage receiver. Thanks again . . .
Thank you, Thomas. will do!
Awesome, thanks so much for this video! Was about to give up on a sub I picked up for my garage. Pioneer SX-1300 receiver with Sony bookshelfs and wanted more bottom end. Never thought of wiring the speakers and the sub together like that, works perfectly. Cheers!
Outrageously informative. I’m great full for this info. Just picked up a bunch of older Pioneer material with a Boze subwoofer, now, I know how to deal with it. Saved the flick though.
Thanks for the info 👍 you guys will be my goto for any repairs i cant handle myself
Is the kicker adapter not "optimal" for lag reasons? All great solutions. Thanks.
I used first scenario. I have a Polk powered subwoofer, run speaker wires to the sub, and from the sub to the speakers. Sub has a built in crossover. Runs fine on my SX-450 and Polk bookshelf speakers.
Can I use a y splitter on the RCA inputs and join both channels of the amp outputs together to make a mono amp for my passive sub speaker on will this damage the amp
An excellent bottom-dollar option: A pair of the original series of Boston Acoustics A40 (as seen in the bookshelf speakers video) going through a passive Realistic Optimus Pro SW-12 subwoofer. Replace the surrounds as needed, of course. I ran this combination for years with an NAD 3120 integrated amp, and had no need for the loudness button.
This is so informative. Thank you! Probably a dumb question but for the third solution, do I need 2 kickers for both my speakers to the sub?
I have an old jvc ax-44 2ch stereo and have been using a sub with a pac sni-35 LOC. Been working great. Gonna try the y splitter way to see if I can hear a difference.
I simply connected my sub to my Marantz secondary speaker output and set it at 50hz. Works just fine.
Hi Kevin
Thanks to your clear and concise explanation I have just used method one to connect a 10" powered sub to a Dual CV31 integrated amplifier from 1973.
Amp at 10 watts/channel, sub at 150 watts all at 8 ohms.
I did the easy thing of high pass out to speakers back.
It worked beautifully and sounded great even spinning my licorice on an AT Sound Burger.
Thank you for the new skill and the extra fun it will bring.
G
..hmmm... the very best way is to direct connect from RCA line out AND main out (RCA Y connectors) on a Vintage Receiver into High Level Inputs on a powered sub woofer. T...I connected a Marantz 2275 to an ENERGY EPS-100 Sub...piece of cake...Must be Y connectors and connected Horizontally L & R and NOT vertically L & R.
Thank you so much! My rig (Pioneer SX-650) sounds awesome with my subwoofer. Excellent vid and easy to follow. This video answered my questions!
When using the first method where you run speaker wires to the hi level input and then from the hi level output to the speakers, does it still bring the sub ohms down to 8 ohms?
I been using method 3 for a while now works great.
I lucked out with my Sansui au-5500 the preamp out/in are internally connected via a switch. the output rc’s signal I went off to line level input of sub. Externally jumpered would require the y-cable as you have shown.
while connected in position #2, will adjusting the subs gain and/or low pass filter adjustment effect both the sub and the speakers output OR just the sub output? ty
hi I am using the Pioneer a-10k 2x50w receiver, and decided after years to add a subwoofer, an active yamaha sw-p201 I got, and connected it to the B level, having my passive speakers on A. With a little gain the amplifier started to shut itself off, for some reason, found this video and gonna try to rewire it as per 1st scenario, keeping it all in As, wish me luck :)
With the 1st way do the sub inputs need to high inputs?
Hey bro thank you so much, this is exactly my situation right now. I'm gonna connect my 18" Sub to my home stereo receiver that has no sub output connection. Thanks for your insightful video and I love the way you patiently explain it all and don't rush through it. Kudos my brother. Take care stay up and stay Blessed †
Yeah Man it is turning out that most people can detect the Ring Of Truth (or it's absence) pretty well.
That is why I like this video "been there done that - I highly recommend you do it this way and don't do it that other way". I'd lay money that your simple way of laying out the probably best methods while also mentioning the less good ideas - has probably saved several vintage amps from being hurt.
This video is so helpful! Thank you!!
Questions-
if I have two subwoofers do I send left and right audio to both or one give one sub left one sub right like speakers?
Thank you so much for this video. My sansui has a second set of pre out plugs and the u shaped plugs for the other pre out and in can I use the second preout for the sub?
Would this work with a passive sub, or does it require an active sub? I'm thinking about the old passive sitting in the garage.
Have scenario 3 and set it up and works fine, just have a pesky subwoofer hum that comes with it. Would this be due to this set up or some other issue? Using the Skar Audio SKAR2CH-LOC for the converter.
👍🏻😎Both of my systems have amplifiers that don't cut power when both the A and B channels are selected and neither one is new enough to have subwoofer outputs. I run a pair of speakers on each channel (a pair on A and a pair on B) and a dedicated subwoofer hooked up speaker level on each channel for a total of 2 subwoofers. I think that configuration sounds the best to my ears. I had a friend tell me a long time ago that I was stupid for running it that way (speaker level Vs. low level) without hearing it first. Needless to say he doesn't come around anymore and I don't ever hear from him anymore either so it must have been a complete shock to him just how good it sounds that way. He thought the only way to hook them up was low level. I think that even if I had an amp with subwoofer outputs I would still hook it up speaker level.
I have a Fisher 500c that I'm trying to connect to a powered subwoofer with RCA L and R inputs, along with an LFE input. There are no speaker wire inputs. My Fisher has a Center Channel speaker terminal. Would I connect the Center speaker terminal to the Sub RCA inputs, using a line level adapter? Thanks so much for your informative videos.
For the converter, I have used a Russound ADP 1.2, these are made for home Hifi, not car audio, so no extra wires! Just thought I'd share that. Russound calls it a speaker level to line level interface. Love the channel, keep the info vids coming!! (Also works for using an old, small reciever with no pre-out to connect to an amplifier via RCA or "line level").
Any thoughts on the Pioneer HPM 100's? Looking at a set, never heard them, good, bad?? Please share! Cheers!
I’m really enjoying your channel, keep it up ! Because of you I just acquired a vintage Toshiba SA-7100 monster receiver to pair with my recently acquired Thorens Td-160. I brought my Sansui SP-X8000’s out of the mothballs. We’ll see how it goes. Thanks
Appreciate that. Enjoy! Sounds like a fun system :)
Fantastic video ! I’m very new to this hobby and set my sub up today using the high level inputs. 🎉 I’m in love with it already
Enjoyed this video. My sub doesn't say high level speaker. Just speaker level input
I have used passive Subs for years love the them as long as the crossover in the sub is of good quality and can produce either 120hz - 30hz or 80hz-20hz My DBX 15" bottom firing sub woofer shakes the walls with my my baby Advent II's. powered subs would be my next upgrade.
I think I might have a possible 4th scenario. My slightly over 20 year old integrated amp has a "Pre-Out 2" with its own volume control. I'm considering adding a sub-woofer and thinking that would be the best connection option (it doesn't have a sub out). Apologies if you covered that option. 😊
Good day, need to ask, is it okay to connect from the high level of the amplifier directly to the RCA of the sub using RCA to bare wire connectors? This is without using a converter. Saw a couple of premium RCA to bare wire connectors and was wondering if this is what they are used for. Would really appreciate a reply on this. Thanks.
Thanks you for this one!! My two channel receiver doesn’t have a sub-out and I want to add one. This has been very helpful!
Rock on!! 🤘
This is great information !! Thank's... almost blown my Marantz 2225. Love the knowledge.
how long has it taken me to find out its fine to put wires from two speakers into one post. Thanks or this video
Have a Kenwood kr 6160 1970 receiver. Supports 3 pairs of speakers, only use one pair. But this receiver has a RCA mono jack that supports a center speaker or sub out. This jack output is located on the rear panel next to the speakers terminals. One RCA cable to my pioneer active sub works. Output on the mono jack is always present. Nice surprise on this receiver.
I have 2 binding posts on my speakers for bi-wiring. I don’t bi-wire as it makes no audible (to my ears) difference to the sound. I keep the jumpers on, and simply connect the subwoofer inputs to the second binding posts.
So does this work the same way if it's not a powered Sub
I was wondering this. Did you ever find out?
No it won't work the same way. A powered sub also has a crossover built in. Passive subs do not have the crossover. So feeding it from the receiver will send a full range signal to your sub. You will be getting the full audio range, but with the mids and highs rolled off horribly by the limitations of the subwoofer speaker.
When you run wires from the High Level Outputs to the speakers, is the subwoofer crossover limiting the low frequency signal to these outputs? If so, my thought is that this would be superior as the main speakers are only fed frequencies at which they can perform well.
Do you rally need this on a 100 wpc with 12" woofers?
Slightly off topic question… I have a receiver with a high level sub out, can I run a single wireset to one of the high level inputs of the active sub? Would this create any issues only having the one wire running?
i have rca subs. i should plug it into
preamp rca out
OR
power amp rca out ?
Thanks for the video. I have a question. Can the wire to RCA converter be used to connect a vintage receiver to powered speakers/studio monitors?
You only need one line level to make this work correct? Thanks Great vid
Imagine how much better your readings would have been with a pair of those magic copper, designer speaker cables. 😂😂😂
Would utilizing the high level input on the sub hooked to the amp then output from the sub to the speaker alter or colour the sound as opposed to hooking the speaker directly to the amp?
Maybe? Maybe try it both ways and see what you like more? Donno honestly
Question: in terms of sound quality, which option is the most recommended? I do have the same Amplifier Pioneer SX 780 and I am looking to add a subwoofer to my existing Kef tower speakers Q950
you can connect any subwoofer with vintage stuff, just find the correct adapter and its done, i did that to vintage amplifier with new subwoofers,
Thanks for this video - no one else offers info this clear!
Q: I may have to go with option 1, ---- but for option 2, my int.amp (Rotel A11) only has pre-out (no Main-in) and my sub (PolkAudio PSW10) only has line in. Would I still need 'Y' cables and if so, they would go from the int.amp pre-out to ???? thanks again!
Thanks for this video. I am converting woofer speakers into a pair of subs. Here in Brazil speaker prices are 3x what they are in the U.S. Could you make a short video on best hook-up solution, mono and stereo for passive subs?
First, great video! I’ve always done the 1st option with main speakers in A and sub in B. As you mentioned, it’s nice to turn the sub off if you want via turning off B. But also, I have high quality speaker wire that’s thick with banana plugs at the ends, making it hard to put both into A like you were with basic speaker wire. Even with a banana plug adapter, for older receivers that aren’t set up for banana plugs (like the Pioneer in this video) it would be hard to connect the speakers and sub to A
Excuse me, sir. Why do we have to feed the subwoofer output back into the main-in on the amplifier as in Solution #2. Thank you very much!
Feeding it back serves as a jumper so your main speakers will still work. Typically the preamp is connected to power in via jumper otherwise the preamp simply outputs the signal from the receiver.
Talked to someone at Quill & Nib. Said I could send my equipment to them, and they would walk it into your shop. =8^)
So with solution 1, you can't use the crossover right? The full frequency spectrum would still be going to the speakers?
Can the amp burn the Sub when we connect the cables in the input zone??
So when using method number 1 the crossover is actually effecting the small speakers?
So my bad, I bought Edifier Bookshelf speakers without a sub out (Edifier R1280DB). How do I add a subwoofer to them? Just connecting a Turntable. Do I connect the Turntable RCAs to the Sub in and then Sub Out to the Line In on the Bookshelf speakers?
What if you have a passive 8 ohm woofer with a low pass filter on it...could you put that on speaker B???
What is a LFE input, and can I use scenario 3 to hook it up?
Could I run stereo subs using the first method? If so, would it just be a simple matter of running a wire from the one sub's LEFT HIGH LEVEL INPUT to the left channel output on the amp (together with the left main speaker) and running a wire from the other sub's RIGHT HIGH LEVEL INPUT to the right channel output on the amp (together with the right main speaker)?
So I have a preamp that has a subwoofer out but my power amp doesn’t have a subwoofer input, can I just connect the subwoofer output from the preamp to a power subwoofer?
Very Helpful video, Thanks 👍
The 8 ohms is IMPEDANCE, i.e. tit is an active or dynamic property, not just a resistive property. I'm glad this works, you helped me out, but you technically can't measure the impedance with just an ohm meter designed to measure resistance, exclusively.
Hi Kevin, can an active sub woofer be attached to a line /tape out of a vintage receiver ?