Help with 5.1 Subwoofer Connection

Home Cinema Guide may get a commission if you buy from a link marked with * on this page: about ads
By: Anonymous

I was wondering if someone can help please.

I have bought a surround sound system SPEAKERS AND SUB ONLY, and am now trying to find a second-hand amp to run them.

The only trouble is, the sub is the same as the speakers {i.e. has two wires to run it} and not the normal RCA type connection…

Every time I find an amp with 6 or 7 speaker inputs (i.e. red and black) when I look closer, EVERY SINGLE ONE the sub input seems to be the RCA type.

I must have looked at over 100 different systems now on eBay and I find it hard to believe that none can run my sub.

What do I need to look for??

Hope this makes sense

Many thanks in advance for any help


Comments for Help with 5.1 Subwoofer Connection:

Hi

My guess would be that you have bought a speaker system with a non-powered/passive subwoofer. This type of sub would usually have standard speaker connections rather than a single RCA.

Most AV receivers you will find are designed to be used with an active subwoofer (which has its own amp inside the unit) – hence the single RCA. This connection sends a line level signal which then needs to be amplified – and this amplification is done by the active sub.

Assuming I am right, and it is a passive sub, then I see a couple of options.

  1. Buy an active sub. You can still use the other speakers, but with an active sub, you will be able to directly connect to any AV receiver.
  2. Use an old amplifier to power the sub. If you have an old amplifier lying around, send the RCA from the AV receiver into this, and then connect the speaker outputs to the sub. This may work ok.
  3. Buy a dedicated sub amplifier. Something like the Dayton SA70 70W Subwoofer Amplifier here at Amazon may do the job. This takes the RCA output from the receiver, amplifies it, and outputs it via speaker connections.

Anyway, that’s my take on your issue. Maybe somebody else has something to suggest?

Hope that helps.

Paul (Site Editor)

You Might Also Be Interested In:

How to Connect a Subwoofer: Low & High Level Connection Tips

Introduction to Surround Sound Speakers

Home Theater Surround Sound Systems – What Does Each Speaker Do?

Modern AV receivers can drive passive subs using zone 2
by: Anonymous

This article is not dated so I don’t know when it was asked.

This is how I solved the problem with a Sony 1050 (2014) AV receiver. This AV receiver is 7.1 with two zones. That means it can be configured as a 5.1 + 2.0 in zone 2.

Therefore, take the line output of the subwoofer channel and feed it into one of the audio inputs (e.g. SA/CD) and select that audio input in zone 2. It’s a workaround if you don’t want to have an active subwoofer.

home cinema guide logo

About The Author

Paul started the Home Cinema Guide to help less-experienced users get the most out of today's audio-visual technology. He has been a sound, lighting and audio-visual engineer for around 20 years. At home, he has spent more time than is probably healthy installing, configuring, testing, de-rigging, fixing, tweaking, re-installing again (and sometimes using) various pieces of hi-fi and home cinema equipment. You can find out more here.

Home Cinema Guide may get a commission if you buy from a link marked with * on this page: about ads