Very good instructional video... Liked your using the High inputs on your woofer. Never saw summing L and R channels into a mono-sub. As my 2.0 stereo has only speakers A, no speakers B, I bought a simple amp with subwoofer speaker output. Works for now.
Very useful information. Thank you. I have a 40 year old Sansui 9000 which I absolutely love and still works well. I was thinking of adding a sub even though it has good bass with existing wharfedale E-90 speakers, also 40 years old and got it re-coned recently and sounds great. Your instruction video is timely, and appreciate very much.
To hook up the second set of speakers after plugging in the amp, do you just run the second speaker wires from the amp to the speakers, both sets of wires plugged into the amp's second wire holes?
This only works if your receiver has A + B output, AS WELL AS the speaker outputs themselves are wired in parallel internally, and not in series. Your average person may not know what they have and this was very common for receivers from the early-mid 70's to run both speaker outputs in series and some specific brands kept doing it. (my Kenwood is like this). This is designed to protect your amplifier from someone running two sets of 4ohm speakers and cooking the amp. But it has significant tradeoffs for performance and sound quality (unfortunate). it's not easy or always possible to change this. Anyways in this scenario the amp will not run the sub and mains simultaneously as the resistance of your speakers (~8ohm) will sum with the resistance of the subwoofer inputs (10's of thousands of ohms) and the resulting highly resistant load won't draw any current from the amplifier. The recommended (by HSU and PS Audio) solution for this is also the simplest: simply connect the subwoofer high-level inputs directly from the speakers, which should be directly wired to your amp. Or run wires going to the sub and mains directly sharing the same amp terminals. The high impedance of the amplifier results in no additional load "seen" by the amplifier and is completely safe. Just like int he video I let my mains run full range, and the use the controls on the subwoofer to blend nicely with them and provide the low frequency re-enforcement and extention rather take over the whole
i have an old Marantz 2250 my dad uses in his shed or maybe he doesn't much anymore. I may go ahead and dig it out one day. cool video. One of those Pre out or tape out with rca may work even easier
Great video! I was tempted to just hook up my sub to the A channel , and use the out terminals of the sub for my mains...BUT I like your way better because then I have the option of shutting off my B channel (and sub) when I don't want to make as much noise (i.e.wife sleeping!) Nice to be able to choose that! ;)
I have an XLS subwoofer, not the same model, and the instructions say to main speaker out terminals along with the main speakers and it works well with a full rich sound.
Correct, but by using the B speaker out for the sub you can use the speaker selector switch to add and delete the sub when needed. Thanks for watching. Cheers.
The pre out nex to main in should work, i hooked one up to the rec out on a sanyo d4505, works only you have to use the subs volume. Also used the line out on the akai am a202, have high level inputs but i use the a and b speaker channels. I will have to have go at this to hear the difference. Good video.
I have a 4 ohm Subwoofer that needs to be an 8 ohm subwoofer. Is there a way to wire it into my 1996 Sony 5.1 surround sound pre-amplifier? Can I use two 4 ohm subwoofers, wired together to make it an 8 ohm subwoofer? And if so, how do I wire it into the Sony?
U have on the subwoofer (High Inputs) the left and right connections is switch while on the marants speaker (remote) is wired correctly. Thought you should know. 😎👍
The input Impedance of a powered sub is extremely high compared to the nominal 4 or 8-ohm load of a normal passive speaker that you will be using for your right or left channel. Even if you are running several hundred watts into them the input power that the powered sub receives is minuscule.
Why not just run the “A” speaker output to the input on the sub then run your speakers off the high output on the sub ? That way you can still run a second set of speakers off your “B” channel .
@@breakerbroke23 No, it will work MUCH better, bc you will be using MORE of your receiver, and get MORE sound out of it! Also, you did NOT finish the wiring job in the video, so I have to go to another channel that does a COMPLETE job, not half-assed.
Some active subs have speaker in and out , speaker out is for satellite spks, and spk in would be from your stereos spk output. USUALLY, if you only have 4 spk hookups ( red black, red black ) on your sub they are for input only because if your sub only has an RCA for input the sub would have no way to send power to external spks... When all else fails look up your sub on the Google for instructions.
I've always been interested in doing this on one of my vintage Marantz receivers, but what do you do if you have 4 speakers? I have a pair on each, speakers A and B. I often wondered as to whether you could use the headphones output. I have a nice Polk powered subwoofer in the basement that I'd love to hook up. Maybe I could find an adapter from the big headphones jack to RCA inputs on the sub? I also have to wonder how that works using speaker level inputs, regarding the ohms load on the receiver's amplifier. I'm pretty sure 2245 or 2252b is 4 ohm stable, but not to sure how stable it would be running 2 sets of 8 ohm speakers, (which already poses a 4 ohm load) and adding a powered sub. Interested in your thoughts regarding this.
Does adding a powered subwoofer to high level inputs from speaker wires increase the load on the amplifier? If able to use the headphone jack to connect a powered subwoofer, would that pose issues of ohms loads? Another though I had was taking the shunts out of the receivers mains, and putting a two into one RCA adapter, using one to go back into the receiver where the shunt is removed, and the other end to the powered subwoofer. Too bad these vintage Marantz receivers didnt have a pair of dedicated subwoofer output RCAs for this purpose.
The RCA out puts were usually a fixed output so you will have no control of volume to the sub. Also, when using the sub in parallel with your speakers the receiver will still see mostly the independence of the speakers and not the electronics of the sub. If in doubt use your ohm meter. Measure the speakers and then spks with the sub in parallel. You MAY see a slight drop say from 4 ohms to say 3.6, no worries. And yes I own near 100 CB Radios, multiple stereo components and from time to time I still lug something home:) The wife still puts up whit me, she on the other hand is "Christmas crazy" she has tons of Christmas decorations, so I have learned to not say a word to her about her sickness and she says (for the most part) nothing to me. So Far. Cheers....BB23
@@breakerbroke23 Me, too. And my wife is the same way. I think you once told me we must be brothers. The more I talk to you, I'm convinced our wives must also be sisters. LOL. Yeah, I've got more than my fair share of Cobras 29s, Midlands, Uniden PC78s, Galaxies, Connix, I was just playing around with my peaked and tuned General Washington, talking to a guy over 40 miles away on my Antron antenna 30 ft up in the air. My Uniden Bearcat with a Moonraker antenna gets out even further. CBs are fun, but have become a dying thing. Even with truckers. Very few are on the radio anymore, except all the jokers. I love when the skip is rolling. Last October I was talking to a girl in Texas, several hundred miles away. Didnt realize it until she announced the menu at a truck stop on interstate 40, and said to myself, "Wait a minute..... That's nowhere local." After a while she revealed her location. Amazing! I have had this happen several times, talking for a brief while to people in Baltimore, Chicago, Memphis, etc. Have fun with your CBs. It's wholesome fun. And let your wife have her fun with holiday decorations. Let her just think it's a mid-life crisis like my wife thinks. It's all good. Everyone gets what they want, and stays happy. 😀
So we connect the sub like you did. But then how are the passive mains connected, how do they become amplified, and how does cross-over between the sub and the mains happen?
For me, the line level output with quality shielded cables for short to moderate lengths would be just as good. There are pros and cons to both but Sub out RCA when available would at least be a cleaner and easier install.
You can connect one set of speakers to the high level output on the sub - I have this setup for my outdoor audio using a nakamichi stereo receiver and Polk subwoofer - both of which I acquired for free - so they are my outdoor presence - however they are in the shed
breakerbroke23 sorry for not being clear. I meant, I don’t have speakers A and B or Front and Rear. I just have speakers A or Front. How do I connect the sub woofer in this case? Just add it to the speaker connections? Or something else? Thanks for your video.
Yes you could just add to the speaker terminals on your amp, depending on your subwoofer location you can also wire the sub to your amp then wire the speakers to the sub. Both ways will work just fine, the subwoofer will not add any impedance so your amp will still see 4 or 8 ohms.
Do you have a video on how to hook up a pre-amp or amplifier to these old receivers ? I just bought a MCS 3235 which puts out 35 watts per channel. To be honest I don't really know if I need anymore amplification but a explanation video would be great. The back of my receiver is similar to what you have here in the video being there are no connections to add an amp.Thanks for the vids...
@@breakerbroke23 Im a complete newbie.Was thinking 35 watts per channel was not enuff to run 100 watt speakers,let alone the 3235 has enuff connectors to hook up 6 speakers. I guess I am just not up on how the wattage ratings work.Thanks for replying.
I have 4 speakers, where do I add the additional two speakers if I fill the B channel with the Subwoofer? Can I double them up? 1 subwoofer wire with a Speaker wire in the same slot?
You can share the B outs with the Sub and spks. The sub will not/should not change the impedance. Also check to see if you have a pre out set of RCAs that vari volume with the volume control on the stereo. If so then just use the RCAs.
I'm using a Technic amplifier from 1993. The amplifier is still going strong and I want to connect a subwoofer on it. The problem is that my amplifier only got 2 speaker outputs(left and right) and one with RCA's(left and right) called "surround". Can I use the surround port to connect a subwoofer on it??? And if yes how can I do it???? Thanks for your time
You may be able to use the surround RCAs (not sure) just use a Male to Female RCA Y adapter, the RCA outs MAY adjust volume with the volume knob on the front of your receiver. If not, hook up your sub the way I show in this video, it will not change your impedance and will work just fine. Cheers
@@breakerbroke23 Thanks a lot for the help. The problem is that my amplifier doesn't have 4 speaker outputs like yours (2 speakers on A and 2 speakers on B). It has only ports for 2 speakers (left and right) and the RCA output called "surround". So when I buy a sub I will try to connect it the way you told me with the RCA's. If you want to see the back from the amplifier the model is "Technics stereo amplifier SE-CH505A"
@@ΖαχαρίαςΛιοδάκης look in some of the comments in this video when people only have 2 spr outputs. You can wire up your sub to the 2 spk out. You can share the spk out AND the sub. It will not drop your impedance....... Cheers.
Correct on the a&b speaker settings. Treat the tone settings as you normally would to add or take away from your main spks, the X-over and gain controls in your sub will be independent of your stereo. Cheers
You can also use a car stereo line out converter and use a pro audio power amplifier such as a crown xls power amplifier or you can use a subwoofer alone with a passive crossover inside the the subwoofer enclosure itself
@@nosnelg7481 "A" speaker bank to main speakers left and right and "B" speaker bank to the subs. L&R to one sub and L&R to the other. Then play both A&B banks together.
@ Ricky, thanx for mentioning that! I am trying to NOT blow my EXPENSIVE M&K S-1Cs' midwoofers, so I need a solution to manage my LFE (bass) AWAY from them! I'm using a vintage Hitachi SR903 class G stereo receiver. NO PRE-OUT. I want to wire it to a Mission VS6as subwoofer.
The issue you will always run into when trying this is either ruining the unique sound of your vintage amp by running your speakers through the subwoofer... or still pushing full range to your mains because there is no crossover for them.
No, No, and No. Dude you are so wrong. My "mains" have built in Xovers, They play with a full range input, the Xover tells each driver what frequency to reproduce. The sub is hooked to the B speaker out, (full range) the sub amp has an internal xover that will only pass low frequency to the amp section. I am not "ruining the unique sound of my vintage amp" Did you actually watch the video? Good lord. Go back to your Stereopedophile magazine.
@@breakerbroke23 I dunno about ruining the sound as that's subjective, but what he said about sending a full range signal to main speakers is true. In your case that's fine, you have big thirsty full range speakers. However one of the advantages to having a sub that's crossed over from the source is to take some low frequency load off the main channels. That way the sub alone can take care of say 60hz and down, instead of the main speakers trying to reproduce as well, also making the amp work harder. Bookshelf speakers benefit huge from this, I would argue many floorstanders do too. Without a separate crossed over subwoofer output, which likely no vintage receiver has, this isn't possible. What some subwoofers do to compensate is send the crossed over "bass removed" signal out of the high level outputs. Others as you said in the video are just a bridge. You'd have to check your manual or test for yourself to know for sure. Either way nothing wrong with how you did it and good video, just thought I'd expand on the first guys comment
Great video, thanks. In a hybrid, stereo/theater setup (on a newer home theater receiver), would you hook up the high input (for music) and in my case, the LFE (for theater) and would the subwoofer pick up whichever was issuing the signal?
Finally! I’ve been scouring you tube and the audio karma website to find out how to do this. I have a Pioneer SX 980 with Radio Skack Optimus 7 speakers. I wanted to add a sub but wasn’t finding what you explained so simply. Thank you! I’m ordering my sub today!
Wow, nice system you have there, I love those Pioneer receivers. I have not seen the realistic speakers for long time, I remember when I was a kid in the mid 70s going down to RS and checking out the CB radios and listening to those awesome Stereo systems. Those were the Days! Thanks for your kind words and have a great Day.....BB23
Slightly off topic, considering my reciever is only 15 years old and a 5.1- I have an onkyo HT R330, came with a passive sub, no separate LFE output on rcvr. Hooking up a BIC V1220 powered sub through method A( rcvr to sub then sub to front spkrs). On the rcvr I turned the option for sub off, that sets the size of fronts to large. My onkyo book tells me to base the crossover on the first spkr that is set to small which is the center, 2-8cm woofers. According to the book under 9cm is 150Hz. I then proceed to set up subwoofer. I have the volume set about mid way, phase at 0 and crossover above 120Hz on sub. I have decent bass from the sub, but it sounds like the left and right fronts are getting overdriven, instead of a tight thump it is muddled almost vibrating noise. If i turn the bass for the fronts down to neg 1 the muddle goes away but there is hardly and bass at the sub. If I turn the bass back up and adjust the crossover frequency on the rcvr to 100Hz the bass on the spkrs and sub sounds good. Im just confused and dont want to damage anything. There is the + and - for the passive sub on the rcvr- should I use that for the from rcvr and leave my front speakers hooked directly to the rcvr
Sorry I may not be much help on this one as I do not know more about your receiver. I would run the sub from your rear speakers and adjust your front speakers for less bass. Play front and rear (as a sub) at the same time if you can. The idea would be use the crossover to cut lows from your smaller fronts and give full range to the sub, let the crossover on the sub do its thing. (dont cut lows to the sub.) I just don't play with AVR receivers much.
I have a Marantz 2245...I want to hook up a sub per side using the main in/pre out connections...guessing use 2 rca cables in the L/R connections of pre out...run them to the subs...then more rca cables back to the main ins...is this correct?...I have heard using the pre out/main in connections is better than the line in to speakers method
Not sure if I understand. I would use an RCA Y adapter and then send a RCA out to your sub, you dont want to have all that cable running around as you may pick up noise (AC) and if that happens your sub will not "go to sleep" and you may hear a slight 60cycle hum as well.
I’m wondering could you hook up the back speakers (B) through the output of the sub-base speaker . Also I would like to know if you ever need a preamp on a vintage receiver. Thanks
On my subwoofer you can hook a set of rears on the bottom 4 lugs. You don't need a pre amp for a vintage receiver...BUT! By adding a pre amp to your receivers AUX in you could hook up more devices to the pre amp and then you would have more devices to play through the receiver. Great question.
i have no preamps rca ports on my vintage onkyo but want o connect a preamp. is it possible to connect into a tape1,2 or phono ports instead as that is my only auxilaries in? currently, i have my android phone coming in thru tape 1. it sounds pretty good. but i want to power it up and want to see what my options are? im also looking at a powered sub...
What if you took RCA cables, Right and Left and plugged them into the Pre Out on the Receiver and then plugged both R and L into the back of the subwoofer? Would that work also? Thanks
Yes the RCA Pre out may work for you, need to check if the volume control varies the RCA Pre out. I would turn down the gain on the sub before testing to see if your receivers volume control works. Some do and some dont. Cheers
My old Pioneer receiver is set up exactly like this 2250 Marantz but when hooking the subwoofer up you're losing two speakers. Right now I have 4 speakers connected to my receiver which means two have to go in favor of the subwoofer. BTW, I'm left wondering how it would sound if you were to play a record thru the Marantz without the other two speakers reconnected? Would you get anything out other than bass?
you can add the sub with the speakers, the stereo will NOT see a drop in impedance like you would see by adding another pair of spks.. Like two 8 ohm speakers will drop your impedance to 4-6 ohms. Adding a sub to an 8 ohm load will still be 8 ohms. If you have in and out RCAs with a jumper you can insert the sub into that as well, you will need a RCA Y adapter cable for each L&R. Some vintage receivers had Pre in and out so you could add a EQ. Just make sure the RCA pre-out goes up/down with the volume control ...
@@breakerbroke23 Do you mean I can add a sub woofer WITH all 4 speakers still connected by adding the wire leads from the sub to the wire leads already in two of the speaker inputs? My pioneer (SX 780) is set up like your Marantz with almost the same amount of power to each channel, (45 watts) with a Phono input, an Aux input and Tape 1 & Tape 2 inputs. Thanks
I'm wanting to use a subwoofer that just has your standard speaker wires coming from it. So I would only be able to hook into either the left or right channel. Should I just hook it into a single channel or should I bridge it from on channel to the other using a small length of speaker wire?
You want to get both left and right channels into the sub so will not miss out on any bass that may be mixed on a L or R ch only. We call this a sumed mono.
Is there any real benefit of using the B speaker channel to run the sub instead of using the main output and then using the output side of the sub to drive speakers? Or is that just your preferred method?
The main reason I use B spks is so I can turn the sub off at the receiver. With my speakers I dont always need the sub. Oh, and when using my Turntable I dont use the sub either.
@@breakerbroke23 So, too much LFE makes yer records skip? I'm adding a TT soon also, so that's good to know. I'm old and DIGITAL sound seems very SCRATCHY/EDGY at times. BTW, which speakers do you have?
You could but it would not perform as these receivers don't have the power and you would need a Xover (coil/cap) and would rob even more power. Add a amplifier to ithe sub and would be good to go.
You said "ANY Vintage Stereo" but you didn't show the hookup in the case where there is just speaker A outputs. Do you just use a parallel jumper to the sub? And does that cause any degradation in audio to do it that way?
Just add the sub inputs to you main speaker out, it will not degrade the sound or give your amplifier a low impedance. UNLESS you are using a modern low end receiver. This new stuff is just a mess IMHO
Hi, I am looking at an active subwoofer from Polk Audio TL1600, my receiver is a 5.1 Onkyo HT-R330 with A/B outputs. I do not see a High Level input in the sub, I see one Speaker Level Output and one Speaker Level Input; can I use this set up with the B out and the Speaker Level In? Thanks.
Yes Iam looking at your subwoofer and you could use the B speakers from your receiver and hook them up to the Speaker input of the sub. Your receiver also has subwoofer speaker out, you could us that as well but that sub speaker level out may only work in a surround mode. That may be kinda lame as you would probably want sub to play in all modes including 2 channel stereo. But yes by all means use the speaker level inputs on the sub. You could also tie the front (A) speakers to the sub by just adding a set of wires out from A to the sub. (like running 2 sets of speakers from A.) it will not drop your impedance.
@@breakerbroke23 Great! Thanks for coming back to me. I am obviously not very savvy about this, I do see a subwoofer out from my receiver but it is a single plug out, no L/R, and it is on a video In/Out section, is that the one? If so, do I go out from a single plug to the L/R in the sub? Just out of curiosity as yes, it sounds like a better idea to hook it up to the B output. On your 2nd recommendations, so I just add cables out from the receiver to the same Speaker Level Input the sub will be? So 4 cables in each slot? What is the advantage of doing this?
I have a Rogue Audio Sphinx v. 3 and wanted to add an older Paradigm PDR-10 powered sub. The Rogue only has one set of speaker terminals (no A-B). I’ve been told by other Rogue Audio enthusiasts on a discussion board that the proper way to do this is to run both the mains and the sub from the same speaker outputs. Do you think this would be safe?
Yes the PDR 10 will NOT add an impedance load to your Rouge. It will work just fine.... BTW... I used to sell Par-a-dimg and had a PDR 10 in my bedroom for many years. Nice little sub. However Par-a-digm driver surrounds deteriorate and eventually need re-foaming.
Using the input to the subwoofer "amplifier" causes no strain on the amplifier as it sees no inductance or capacitance as it would driving a real speaker. My Amp section runs quite cool. If your amp runs hot it more than likely has a biasing or DC offset issue, IMO. Cheers.
@@breakerbroke23 if you are using the subs speaker level input instead of the line level, are you certain that you aren't feeding the subwoofer speaker directly? Basically, you seem to be adding a second speaker system running simultaneously. Many good vintage stereos will handle this easily but some will not
I need help guys. I have a Pioneer SA-508 25 watts per channel into 8ohms amp, with A+B speakers. I'm finding it difficult getting 3 way speakers with good bass so i thought adding a sub might work. Any recommendations on the type of sub to look for. I'm new at this. Please help
It depends on your room. Because if you have concrete walls, or a small room, you dont want too big subwoofer. Subs can really create an uneven "peak" in the curve that wont sound correct. I live in a small flat with concrete walls. I intend to buy a "Dayton Audio SPA250DSP 250W Subwoofer Plate Amplifier with DSP" and make my own subs using two 6,5" Dayton audio DCS165-4 in two separate ported enclosures. For subs a plate amplifier with DSP (Digital sound processor) allows you to tune your subwoofer output so for example if your room creates a peak at 60hz and it drops off at 35hz, you can decrease the power at 60hz and increase it at 35hz so you get a more flat curve. You can also adjust the phase of your subs so they match your speakers (so their respective soundwaves hit your ears at the same time).
Are you always supposed to wire the main speakers into the main AB section and the subwoofer into the remote section or can you do it another way using just main a and b? I have a reciever that has A and b left and right connections. The reciever has no remote option
Then use your main speakers on A and wire the sub on B. By doing this you can add or delete the sub with just the flick of a switch. Providing your receiver will work both A&B at the same time. Cheers.
There's no such thing as Main AB?, Normally A speakers are the Main speakers (or Front speakers? The B connection are the so called "REAR or REMOTE or EXTRA SPEAKERS. If you're vintage receiver has the speaker selector for 3 positions: For A only (Main) For B only (Rear) Then for A + B , utilizing 4 speakers at the same time.
It is heavy and robust box on the subwoofer so its a good things because you can have the turntable on the top of the subwoofer and that way save table space.:)
The Sub comes in at 68 LBS. My old Pioneer TT would not be able to play on top of the Sub. In fact I have to turn off the Sub if I want to really crank up the Stereo while playing Vinyl
i use vintage (1975) Jbl L36 Decade three way floor standers driven by a Pioneer SX-950 stereo receiver ....no lack of bass at my house , JBL are known to be bass rich !
Great video. But just one thing, there's virtually no power going into the high impedance sub inputs. The voltage could be high but it will not draw any current.
You may need to convert unbalanced (RCA)from your receiver to balanced (XLR) to your crown. I would possibly suggest the ART Clean Box2 to do that. You will also need a electronic cross over or some way of taking a full range signal from the receiver and sending only low pass signal to your amp. Or, you could use a coil type of crossover between the amp and woofer to only pass low frequency. (You can't/should not play full range through the woofer.) There are a few products to accomplish this but it will get complicated and may be a bit spendy. IMO
Also is it safe to run a subwoofer through the regular speaker outputs? I know doing it that way will have cause vocals to go through it but will it hurt it and would it still add a bit of bass. I have an old 4inch sub that I have no use for so I'm playing around with it
Hi, so just to be clear if i have a set of speakers on A and also have a set of speaker of B both running together i can still just tap in to B for signal to run the powered subwoofer with no ill effects on the receiver amp or speakers? Thank you! I have a Sx 980 receiver.
@@breakerbroke23 thank you very much for the quick reply. So having the speakers hooked up to the high level output they will still be using my receiver amps power and will still have the same control of them for the bass and treble on the receiver?
lowriderssux Yes your receiver will not be affected at all, your existing speakers will not be affected at all. The sub will have a full range signal in to it and the X-Over will filter out the mids and highs, and just low s go to the woofer. Try it... Your going to love it. Post a comment when you get your new sub hooked up:) AND, Plz don't forget to subscribe.
I have a 70's Pioneer SA 8500II amp with A+B speaker and I'm running 4 speakers. I have an active sub with just one wire. So can I use a Y splitter to a RCA line level converter to speaker A or B or connect to both A+B. Help...
I just bought a Klipsch subwoofer that only has rca inputs. No speaker wire connection. So i found out that i need to use a line level converter. Any experience with this? Could this degrade the sound quality? Thanks.
The line tap will work just fine and if any audio degrade is happening it would be in the high frequency range which you are cutting out with the sub x over . So go for it.
You could do that, however in my installation the RCA cable run is so long I would lose some signal. AND... A lot of viewers receivers do not have this variable pre out. Good comment. Cheers
@@breakerbroke23 On my Hitachi SR903, I can turn off BOTH A and B outputs, but I have no pre-out on it. That's why I will wire it the way you are doing, because I already have my other rooms connected with active speakers, so I can use A or B with my sub, It's also nice to be able to compare quickly how it sounds with a sub and without a sub by pressing a button.
Greetings..I have a--Polk Audio PSW-10 SUB. It doesn't say "High Level Input/Output" just speaker level input/output. Will this configuration still work? Thanks for the video.
Just hooked up to the sub when I put on A+B speaker my bookshelf got a very low volume of sounds even I turn to 1 o’clock all I hear just the sub, when switched back to A only the bookshelf ‘s normal sounds is back that was 9 o’clock I was thinking might be the receiver not enough powers to drive A+B? Any ideas? Thanks
What receiver are you using? I would just wire the sub to spk A with your bookshelfs. The sub input has no effect on what impedance your receiver will see. So if your speakers are 8ohm and you add the sub, your receiver will still see aprox a 8ohm load. Your good to go.....BB23
@@breakerbroke23 I am using the vintage Sanyo DCA 611 integrated amp, it rate 60 Watt per channel it pair full sounds at 9:30 o'clock with my Polk audio M 10 bookshelf. I will try what's your suggested wire them up together to speaker A output or try a different amp with more power and will see what's happen. Thanks very much for the input
What would happen or will the sub work if connected to an amp with only one set of speaker outputs? Can you not share those terminals on the amp so it reaches both the stereo speakers and a sub? Will it cause damage to the equipment? I have an old Nad 302 that i would like to add a sub to...Thanks
If the stereo is 4 ohms with just the A connections but 8 ohms with both A + B connections, does that mean you can't use 4 ohms speakers on the A connections once you've added the powered subwoofer? Or, does the amp on the subwoofer take the load off the vintage receiver?
I tried this with my old Marantz PM7200 to a powered 150 watt subwoofer Infinity BU-120 pretty much exactly like yours. The Marantz has class A 25 watts and class a/b 90 watts and was just serviced as I bought it second hand from a friend, but the sub woofer does not work. Btw I ive in Europe- retired. I an splitting 2 receivers with 1 set of front Infinity Reference 60 that I just bought second hand. The Yamaha 5.1 surround receiver with a direct low level into the sub woofer works perfect. I want to add the sub to the Marantz system for music listening exclusively. I did use the speaker b system as you recommended, but not real expensive speaker wire. Pretty much just normal wire. Ideas? Thanks. Ps i believe the Marantz is just underpowered for this setup, but drives my Infinty Reference 60s just fine at 25 watts. Actually, to troubleshoot this issue correctly I should wire my main speakers to the B outputs to see if there is a problem with the Marantz power supply on the B channel. Also this Marantz model does not have a preamp output jack. :( Any thoughts?
Finally able to get out my old stereo that I purchased in the service, circa late 80's. In the video you talked about the power the amp puts out and into the sub, my sub is a jbl venue 12 powered at 250 rms. If hooked up to speaker b from yamaha amp could that cause plate amp in sub to blow fuse? Thank You for any advice and the great video.
@@breakerbroke23 Thanks for the info, could I also ask is it possible to have a set of speakers hooked to the b terminals and then use bannana clips also in the b terminals for the sub? Thanks for the help.
IMHO... Heresy's kind of suck! I have owned 2 pair and still own my original birch ply Heresy's, in order to stand to listen to them I use a sub. I use a powered 15 and roll it off a bit high. I would sell them but they are kind of sentimental to me:) I used an old Kenwood Model 11 II. No AV amp for the Klipsch....Cheers
Yes, no low end. Any speaker of this physical size and sporting a 12 inch driver should have some low end. Yes your Sansui will make them sound good compared to any modern AV receiver. But still a complete letdown. IMHO They need to be accompanied by a subwoofer. We need to remember they were designed to accent the K Horn .... Was the K Horn the low end producing speaker of the day? Hmmm neat stuff Eh?
Hi, This is great information! I have 1 twist! I have a Rotel RX-855 receiver and a Rotel RB-850 amp that I am bridging in mono. How does adding a sub differ with this setup?
You have Pre in and Pre out jumpers on the back of the receiver. I would assume that the Pre RCA out vari volume with the vol control on the front panel. Yes? If they do vari with the front knob then you would get a RCA Y cord. Two RCA males to one RCA female. run an rca cable to the sub and plug into LFE in or Mono in. If you have both Left and Right RCA in on the sub then run a stereo L&R RCA directly to the sub. The subwoofer takes in both L&R input signals and sums them to mono and sends that to the amp powering the single sub. Done!
Tape out will not work as is a set pre-amp level, won't adjust with your volume control. You can just add the sub wired to your amp along with your spks. The receiver will still just see your spk Independence (4 or 8 ) ohms.
@@pinkskud1 correct, but the fixed tape out will not adjust volume to the sub when using your volume control on the receiver. Doubt me? Try it. (some receivers may adjust vol through a "tape loop" but that is VERY Very rare) Report what you find if you like. This audio thing is all about trial and error, and like you, always think outside the box. Cheers.
Best info i ever needed.
Looking for how to connect sub for a year and this is the first time i have not been confused.
Thank you from Norway.
Glad it helped
I allways end up at around 60hz no matter the format ( source ) or song.. FANTASTIC VIDEO MAN !!
Your video is very good, clear, straight to the point. Thank you for teaching/helping.
Thanks for keeping things simple to understand!!!
Thank you, thank you,thank you. Finally somebody explained what I needed to know! Your the man bro!
Thank you
Very good instructional video... Liked your using the High inputs on your woofer. Never saw summing L and R channels into a mono-sub. As my 2.0 stereo has only speakers A, no speakers B, I bought a simple amp with subwoofer speaker output. Works for now.
Very useful information. Thank you. I have a 40 year old Sansui 9000 which I absolutely love and still works well. I was thinking of adding a sub even though it has good bass with existing wharfedale E-90 speakers, also 40 years old and got it re-coned recently and sounds great. Your instruction video is timely, and appreciate very much.
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks a lot i have always been bugged by this set up so now i know .Great clear explanation makes it so easy to understand. You have made my day sir.
You are welcome and stay tuned for a updated video on this subject. Cheers
Brilliant explanation! Thank you so much! Cheers from Outback Australia...
Well done. Answered all of my lingering/novice questions.
Awesome! Enjoy the music:)
RCA jacks/Line Out on the unit to High Level In on the active subwoofer also works perfectly well.
A great video lesson. Many thanks for taking the time to create this clear and concise explanation.
To hook up the second set of speakers after plugging in the amp, do you just run the second speaker wires from the amp to the speakers, both sets of wires plugged into the amp's second wire holes?
Yes
Great you take time to help others, very well done.
This only works if your receiver has A + B output, AS WELL AS the speaker outputs themselves are wired in parallel internally, and not in series. Your average person may not know what they have and this was very common for receivers from the early-mid 70's to run both speaker outputs in series and some specific brands kept doing it. (my Kenwood is like this). This is designed to protect your amplifier from someone running two sets of 4ohm speakers and cooking the amp. But it has significant tradeoffs for performance and sound quality (unfortunate). it's not easy or always possible to change this.
Anyways in this scenario the amp will not run the sub and mains simultaneously as the resistance of your speakers (~8ohm) will sum with the resistance of the subwoofer inputs (10's of thousands of ohms) and the resulting highly resistant load won't draw any current from the amplifier.
The recommended (by HSU and PS Audio) solution for this is also the simplest: simply connect the subwoofer high-level inputs directly from the speakers, which should be directly wired to your amp. Or run wires going to the sub and mains directly sharing the same amp terminals. The high impedance of the amplifier results in no additional load "seen" by the amplifier and is completely safe.
Just like int he video I let my mains run full range, and the use the controls on the subwoofer to blend nicely with them and provide the low frequency re-enforcement and extention rather take over the whole
Thanks...very informative!
WHEN I CONNECT FRONT SPEAKERS TO THE A OUTPUT, DO I HAVE TO USE THE 2 OUTPUT ACTIVELY?
i have an old Marantz 2250 my dad uses in his shed or maybe he doesn't much anymore. I may go ahead and dig it out one day. cool video. One of those Pre out or tape out with rca may work even easier
I realize how old this video is, but what about the pre-outs? Not a lot of vintage receiver/amps have pre-outs but yours in the video does.
You can do that with Y adapters but you also need long rca cables.
Great video! I was tempted to just hook up my sub to the A channel , and use the out terminals of the sub for my mains...BUT I like your way better because then I have the option of shutting off my B channel (and sub) when I don't want to make as much noise (i.e.wife sleeping!) Nice to be able to choose that! ;)
I have a Marantz 2245....how about I use my pre amp out to the sub...
I have an XLS subwoofer, not the same model, and the instructions say to main speaker out terminals along with the main speakers and it works well with a full rich sound.
Correct, but by using the B speaker out for the sub you can use the speaker selector switch to add and delete the sub when needed. Thanks for watching. Cheers.
How about using the main in pre out connections?
Yes... I made the video with the intention of helping users that had no type of pre out. Maybe I should have used another receiver:) Cheers
What about running another pair of speakers off of the sub?
Yes you could do that :)
The pre out nex to main in should work, i hooked one up to the rec out on a sanyo d4505, works only you have to use the subs volume. Also used the line out on the akai am a202, have high level inputs but i use the a and b speaker channels.
I will have to have go at this to hear the difference.
Good video.
I have a 4 ohm Subwoofer that needs to be an 8 ohm subwoofer. Is there a way to wire it into my 1996 Sony 5.1 surround sound pre-amplifier? Can I use two 4 ohm subwoofers, wired together to make it an 8 ohm subwoofer? And if so, how do I wire it into the Sony?
U have on the subwoofer (High Inputs) the left and right connections is switch while on the marants speaker (remote) is wired correctly. Thought you should know. 😎👍
Yes I didn't notice that until a year later:)
Still works fine as the inputs (L&R) are turned into a summed mono. Thanks and Cheers.
The input Impedance of a powered sub is extremely high compared to the nominal 4 or 8-ohm load of a normal passive speaker that you will be using for your right or left channel. Even if you are running several hundred watts into them the input power that the powered sub receives is minuscule.
Why not just run the “A” speaker output to the input on the sub then run your speakers off the high output on the sub ? That way you can still run a second set of speakers off your “B” channel .
yes that will work as well.
@@breakerbroke23 No, it will work MUCH better, bc you will be using MORE of your receiver, and get MORE sound out of it! Also, you did NOT finish the wiring job in the video, so I have to go to another channel that does a COMPLETE job, not half-assed.
@@mr.blackhawk142 Lighten up Francis! Jesus...
@@mr.blackhawk142 If you can't figure out the wiring from the information provided, you should probably ask a toddler for help.
Klipsch Forte is a badass speaker, most have no clue. The new ones that just came out are insane, coarse your gonna pay for em, but so worth it
I have the same speaker type connectors on the back of my active subwoofer but they don't say "high level". What would be the difference?
Some active subs have speaker in and out , speaker out is for satellite spks, and spk in would be from your stereos spk output.
USUALLY, if you only have 4 spk hookups ( red black, red black ) on your sub they are for input only because if your sub only has an RCA for input the sub would have no way to send power to external spks...
When all else fails look up your sub on the Google for instructions.
@@breakerbroke23 Thanks!
This was great, thanks. Now to hook up the Sherwood sub I found in hard rubbish to my vintage Luxman!
I've always been interested in doing this on one of my vintage Marantz receivers, but what do you do if you have 4 speakers? I have a pair on each, speakers A and B. I often wondered as to whether you could use the headphones output. I have a nice Polk powered subwoofer in the basement that I'd love to hook up. Maybe I could find an adapter from the big headphones jack to RCA inputs on the sub?
I also have to wonder how that works using speaker level inputs, regarding the ohms load on the receiver's amplifier. I'm pretty sure 2245 or 2252b is 4 ohm stable, but not to sure how stable it would be running 2 sets of 8 ohm speakers, (which already poses a 4 ohm load) and adding a powered sub. Interested in your thoughts regarding this.
Does adding a powered subwoofer to high level inputs from speaker wires increase the load on the amplifier? If able to use the headphone jack to connect a powered subwoofer, would that pose issues of ohms loads?
Another though I had was taking the shunts out of the receivers mains, and putting a two into one RCA adapter, using one to go back into the receiver where the shunt is removed, and the other end to the powered subwoofer.
Too bad these vintage Marantz receivers didnt have a pair of dedicated subwoofer output RCAs for this purpose.
The RCA out puts were usually a fixed output so you will have no control of volume to the sub. Also, when using the sub in parallel with your speakers the receiver will still see mostly the independence of the speakers and not the electronics of the sub. If in doubt use your ohm meter. Measure the speakers and then spks with the sub in parallel. You MAY see a slight drop say from 4 ohms to say 3.6, no worries.
And yes I own near 100 CB Radios, multiple stereo components and from time to time I still lug something home:) The wife still puts up whit me, she on the other hand is "Christmas crazy" she has tons of Christmas decorations, so I have learned to not say a word to her about her sickness and she says (for the most part) nothing to me.
So Far. Cheers....BB23
@@breakerbroke23 Me, too. And my wife is the same way. I think you once told me we must be brothers. The more I talk to you, I'm convinced our wives must also be sisters. LOL. Yeah, I've got more than my fair share of Cobras 29s, Midlands, Uniden PC78s, Galaxies, Connix, I was just playing around with my peaked and tuned General Washington, talking to a guy over 40 miles away on my Antron antenna 30 ft up in the air. My Uniden Bearcat with a Moonraker antenna gets out even further. CBs are fun, but have become a dying thing. Even with truckers. Very few are on the radio anymore, except all the jokers. I love when the skip is rolling. Last October I was talking to a girl in Texas, several hundred miles away. Didnt realize it until she announced the menu at a truck stop on interstate 40, and said to myself, "Wait a minute..... That's nowhere local." After a while she revealed her location. Amazing! I have had this happen several times, talking for a brief while to people in Baltimore, Chicago, Memphis, etc. Have fun with your CBs. It's wholesome fun. And let your wife have her fun with holiday decorations. Let her just think it's a mid-life crisis like my wife thinks. It's all good. Everyone gets what they want, and stays happy. 😀
Can you play a music so we can hearing how its sound and trye how loud you can playing.:)
So we connect the sub like you did. But then how are the passive mains connected, how do they become amplified, and how does cross-over between the sub and the mains happen?
For me, the line level output with quality shielded cables for short to moderate lengths would be just as good. There are pros and cons to both but Sub out RCA when available would at least be a cleaner and easier install.
Either Belden or Blue Jeans cable is the way to go. Great video.
Hi
What if you have 4 speakers how do you connect the sub then?
Thank you
You can connect one set of speakers to the high level output on the sub - I have this setup for my outdoor audio using a nakamichi stereo receiver and Polk subwoofer - both of which I acquired for free - so they are my outdoor presence - however they are in the shed
So I just have one pair of speaker outputs from my integrated tube amp. Any ideas how I would connect a subwoofer to it?
Yes, I explain how to do that in this video. Watch again (all the way through)
breakerbroke23 sorry for not being clear. I meant, I don’t have speakers A and B or Front and Rear. I just have speakers A or Front. How do I connect the sub woofer in this case? Just add it to the speaker connections? Or something else? Thanks for your video.
Yes you could just add to the speaker terminals on your amp, depending on your subwoofer location you can also wire the sub to your amp then wire the speakers to the sub. Both ways will work just fine, the subwoofer will not add any impedance so your amp will still see 4 or 8 ohms.
@@breakerbroke23 gotcha, thanks!
thanks i needed some info, now on the hunt for a cheap active woofer !
Do you have a video on how to hook up a pre-amp or amplifier to these old receivers ? I just bought a MCS 3235 which puts out 35 watts per channel. To be honest I don't really know if I need anymore amplification but a explanation video would be great. The back of my receiver is similar to what you have here in the video being there are no connections to add an amp.Thanks for the vids...
The MCS has everything you need. I am not sure why you need to add a preamp. Am I not understanding what you want to accomplish?
@@breakerbroke23 Im a complete newbie.Was thinking 35 watts per channel was not enuff to run 100 watt speakers,let alone the 3235 has enuff connectors to hook up 6 speakers. I guess I am just not up on how the wattage ratings work.Thanks for replying.
35w is plenty of power especially on the vintage receivers.
Thanks
I have 4 speakers, where do I add the additional two speakers if I fill the B channel with the Subwoofer?
Can I double them up? 1 subwoofer wire with a Speaker wire in the same slot?
You can share the B outs with the Sub and spks. The sub will not/should not change the impedance. Also check to see if you have a pre out set of RCAs that vari volume with the volume control on the stereo. If so then just use the RCAs.
I'm using a Technic amplifier from 1993. The amplifier is still going strong and I want to connect a subwoofer on it. The problem is that my amplifier only got 2 speaker outputs(left and right) and one with RCA's(left and right) called "surround". Can I use the surround port to connect a subwoofer on it??? And if yes how can I do it???? Thanks for your time
You may be able to use the surround RCAs (not sure) just use a Male to Female RCA Y adapter, the RCA outs MAY adjust volume with the volume knob on the front of your receiver. If not, hook up your sub the way I show in this video, it will not change your impedance and will work just fine.
Cheers
@@breakerbroke23 Thanks a lot for the help. The problem is that my amplifier doesn't have 4 speaker outputs like yours (2 speakers on A and 2 speakers on B). It has only ports for 2 speakers (left and right) and the RCA output called "surround". So when I buy a sub I will try to connect it the way you told me with the RCA's. If you want to see the back from the amplifier the model is "Technics stereo amplifier SE-CH505A"
@@ΖαχαρίαςΛιοδάκης look in some of the comments in this video when people only have 2 spr outputs.
You can wire up your sub to the 2 spk out. You can share the spk out AND the sub. It will not drop your impedance.......
Cheers.
@@breakerbroke23 Ok thanks for the help 😊
You neglected to illustrate how the front panel settings should be set. I'm assuming you set it to A&B , correct?
Correct on the a&b speaker settings. Treat the tone settings as you normally would to add or take away from your main spks, the X-over and gain controls in your sub will be independent of your stereo. Cheers
@@breakerbroke23 Thanks. It's what I figured.
What happen whith the vintage speaker where l conete the vintage speaker .l can conecte all that what i need.
Great video!! Great information!
You can also use a car stereo line out converter and use a pro audio power amplifier such as a crown xls power amplifier or you can use a subwoofer alone with a passive crossover inside the the subwoofer enclosure itself
Yep, doing one of those setups now. Its a little side project Im doing at work. I will post a video on this later this summer.
Very good. Short, precise. I have a Marantz 2240. You can hookup two subs this way to an old marantz also.
How can you hookup two subs to 2240? One sub in main speaker terminal and one sub i remote speaker terminal?
@@nosnelg7481 "A" speaker bank to main speakers left and right and "B" speaker bank to the subs. L&R to one sub and L&R to the other. Then play both A&B banks together.
I Will Try to' do that. I have a small collection of old marantz recivers and amplifiers . And I like to play with them 🤓 . Thanks for the tip
Can I use a line output converter for cars,as my sub only has RCA inputs ?
Yes you can.
@ Ricky, thanx for mentioning that! I am trying to NOT blow my EXPENSIVE M&K S-1Cs' midwoofers, so I need a solution to manage my LFE (bass) AWAY from them! I'm using a vintage Hitachi SR903 class G stereo receiver. NO PRE-OUT. I want to wire it to a Mission VS6as subwoofer.
@@mr.blackhawk142 It works perfectly ,have done the same!
The issue you will always run into when trying this is either ruining the unique sound of your vintage amp by running your speakers through the subwoofer... or still pushing full range to your mains because there is no crossover for them.
No, No, and No. Dude you are so wrong. My "mains" have built in Xovers, They play with a full range input, the Xover tells each driver what frequency to reproduce. The sub is hooked to the B speaker out, (full range) the sub amp has an internal xover that will only pass low frequency to the amp section. I am not "ruining the unique sound of my vintage amp" Did you actually watch the video?
Good lord.
Go back to your Stereopedophile magazine.
@@breakerbroke23 I dunno about ruining the sound as that's subjective, but what he said about sending a full range signal to main speakers is true.
In your case that's fine, you have big thirsty full range speakers. However one of the advantages to having a sub that's crossed over from the source is to take some low frequency load off the main channels. That way the sub alone can take care of say 60hz and down, instead of the main speakers trying to reproduce as well, also making the amp work harder. Bookshelf speakers benefit huge from this, I would argue many floorstanders do too. Without a separate crossed over subwoofer output, which likely no vintage receiver has, this isn't possible.
What some subwoofers do to compensate is send the crossed over "bass removed" signal out of the high level outputs. Others as you said in the video are just a bridge. You'd have to check your manual or test for yourself to know for sure.
Either way nothing wrong with how you did it and good video, just thought I'd expand on the first guys comment
Great video, thanks. In a hybrid, stereo/theater setup (on a newer home theater receiver), would you hook up the high input (for music) and in my case, the LFE (for theater) and would the subwoofer pick up whichever was issuing the signal?
Finally! I’ve been scouring you tube and the audio karma website to find out how to do this. I have a Pioneer SX 980 with Radio Skack Optimus 7 speakers. I wanted to add a sub but wasn’t finding what you explained so simply. Thank you! I’m ordering my sub today!
Wow, nice system you have there, I love those Pioneer receivers. I have not seen the realistic speakers for long time, I remember when I was a kid in the mid 70s going down to RS and checking out the CB radios and listening to those awesome Stereo systems. Those were the Days! Thanks for your kind words and have a great Day.....BB23
I forgot to ask . When you use the loudness button did it distort the sound or did you just have to adjust
No distortion, sometimes you may need to back down the bass control (knob on the stereo).
Slightly off topic, considering my reciever is only 15 years old and a 5.1- I have an onkyo HT R330, came with a passive sub, no separate LFE output on rcvr. Hooking up a BIC V1220 powered sub through method A( rcvr to sub then sub to front spkrs). On the rcvr I turned the option for sub off, that sets the size of fronts to large. My onkyo book tells me to base the crossover on the first spkr that is set to small which is the center, 2-8cm woofers. According to the book under 9cm is 150Hz. I then proceed to set up subwoofer. I have the volume set about mid way, phase at 0 and crossover above 120Hz on sub. I have decent bass from the sub, but it sounds like the left and right fronts are getting overdriven, instead of a tight thump it is muddled almost vibrating noise. If i turn the bass for the fronts down to neg 1 the muddle goes away but there is hardly and bass at the sub. If I turn the bass back up and adjust the crossover frequency on the rcvr to 100Hz the bass on the spkrs and sub sounds good. Im just confused and dont want to damage anything. There is the + and - for the passive sub on the rcvr- should I use that for the from rcvr and leave my front speakers hooked directly to the rcvr
Sorry I may not be much help on this one as I do not know more about your receiver. I would run the sub from your rear speakers and adjust your front speakers for less bass. Play front and rear (as a sub) at the same time if you can. The idea would be use the crossover to cut lows from your smaller fronts and give full range to the sub, let the crossover on the sub do its thing. (dont cut lows to the sub.)
I just don't play with AVR receivers much.
I have a Marantz 2245...I want to hook up a sub per side using the main in/pre out connections...guessing use 2 rca cables in the L/R connections of pre out...run them to the subs...then more rca cables back to the main ins...is this correct?...I have heard using the pre out/main in connections is better than the line in to speakers method
Not sure if I understand. I would use an RCA Y adapter and then send a RCA out to your sub, you dont want to have all that cable running around as you may pick up noise (AC) and if that happens your sub will not "go to sleep" and you may hear a slight 60cycle hum as well.
I’m wondering could you hook up the back speakers (B) through the output of the sub-base speaker .
Also I would like to know if you ever need a preamp on a vintage receiver. Thanks
On my subwoofer you can hook a set of rears on the bottom 4 lugs.
You don't need a pre amp for a vintage receiver...BUT! By adding a pre amp to your receivers AUX in you could hook up more devices to the pre amp and then you would have more devices to play through the receiver. Great question.
i have no preamps rca ports on my vintage onkyo but want o connect a preamp. is it possible to connect into a tape1,2 or phono ports instead as that is my only auxilaries in? currently, i have my android phone coming in thru tape 1. it sounds pretty good. but i want to power it up and want to see what my options are? im also looking at a powered sub...
What about a subwoofer that just has two inputs for speaker wire? Would I just use two wires and combine them in the subwoofer inputs?
Couldn't you have just used the PRE OUT on that 2250B?
That's what I would do!
@@aaronmccutcheon READ the title, or my comment.
@@mr.blackhawk142 No
Just a point, if you cool that many wires together like that you end up making a inductor which may ruin your sound.
Coil
What if you took RCA cables, Right and Left and plugged them into the Pre Out on the Receiver and then plugged both R and L into the back of the subwoofer? Would that work also? Thanks
Yes the RCA Pre out may work for you, need to check if the volume control varies the RCA Pre out. I would turn down the gain on the sub before testing to see if your receivers volume control works. Some do and some dont. Cheers
@@breakerbroke23 thanks cheers!
Awesome video and Equipment!!!
My old Pioneer receiver is set up exactly like this 2250 Marantz but when hooking the subwoofer up you're losing two speakers. Right now I have 4 speakers connected to my receiver which means two have to go in favor of the subwoofer. BTW, I'm left wondering how it would sound if you were to play a record thru the Marantz without the other two speakers reconnected? Would you get anything out other than bass?
you can add the sub with the speakers, the stereo will NOT see a drop in impedance like you would see by adding another pair of spks.. Like two 8 ohm speakers will drop your impedance to 4-6 ohms. Adding a sub to an 8 ohm load will still be 8 ohms.
If you have in and out RCAs with a jumper you can insert the sub into that as well, you will need a RCA Y adapter cable for each L&R. Some vintage receivers had Pre in and out so you could add a EQ. Just make sure the RCA pre-out goes up/down with the volume control ...
@@breakerbroke23 Do you mean I can add a sub woofer WITH all 4 speakers still connected by adding the wire leads from the sub to the wire leads already in two of the speaker inputs? My pioneer (SX 780) is set up like your Marantz with almost the same amount of power to each channel, (45 watts) with a Phono input, an Aux input and Tape 1 & Tape 2 inputs. Thanks
I'm wanting to use a subwoofer that just has your standard speaker wires coming from it. So I would only be able to hook into either the left or right channel. Should I just hook it into a single channel or should I bridge it from on channel to the other using a small length of speaker wire?
You want to get both left and right channels into the sub so will not miss out on any bass that may be mixed on a L or R ch only. We call this a sumed mono.
Is there any real benefit of using the B speaker channel to run the sub instead of using the main output and then using the output side of the sub to drive speakers? Or is that just your preferred method?
The main reason I use B spks is so I can turn the sub off at the receiver. With my speakers I dont always need the sub. Oh, and when using my Turntable I dont use the sub either.
@@breakerbroke23 So, too much LFE makes yer records skip? I'm adding a TT soon also, so that's good to know. I'm old and DIGITAL sound seems very SCRATCHY/EDGY at times. BTW, which speakers do you have?
Can you connect a passive subwoofer to a system like this?
You could but it would not perform as these receivers don't have the power and you would need a Xover (coil/cap) and would rob even more power. Add a amplifier to ithe sub and would be good to go.
You said "ANY Vintage Stereo" but you didn't show the hookup in the case where there is just speaker A outputs. Do you just use a parallel jumper to the sub? And does that cause any degradation in audio to do it that way?
Just add the sub inputs to you main speaker out, it will not degrade the sound or give your amplifier a low impedance. UNLESS you are using a modern low end receiver. This new stuff is just a mess IMHO
Hi, I am looking at an active subwoofer from Polk Audio TL1600, my receiver is a 5.1 Onkyo HT-R330 with A/B outputs. I do not see a High Level input in the sub, I see one Speaker Level Output and one Speaker Level Input; can I use this set up with the B out and the Speaker Level In? Thanks.
Yes Iam looking at your subwoofer and you could use the B speakers from your receiver and hook them up to the Speaker input of the sub. Your receiver also has subwoofer speaker out, you could us that as well but that sub speaker level out may only work in a surround mode. That may be kinda lame as you would probably
want sub to play in all modes including 2 channel stereo. But yes by all means use the speaker level inputs on the sub.
You could also tie the front (A) speakers to the sub by just adding a set of wires out from A to the sub. (like running 2 sets of speakers from A.) it will not drop your impedance.
@@breakerbroke23 Great! Thanks for coming back to me. I am obviously not very savvy about this, I do see a subwoofer out from my receiver but it is a single plug out, no L/R, and it is on a video In/Out section, is that the one? If so, do I go out from a single plug to the L/R in the sub? Just out of curiosity as yes, it sounds like a better idea to hook it up to the B output. On your 2nd recommendations, so I just add cables out from the receiver to the same Speaker Level Input the sub will be? So 4 cables in each slot? What is the advantage of doing this?
I have a Rogue Audio Sphinx v. 3 and wanted to add an older Paradigm PDR-10 powered sub. The Rogue only has one set of speaker terminals (no A-B). I’ve been told by other Rogue Audio enthusiasts on a discussion board that the proper way to do this is to run both the mains and the sub from the same speaker outputs. Do you think this would be safe?
Yes the PDR 10 will NOT add an impedance load to your Rouge. It will work just fine.... BTW... I used to sell Par-a-dimg and had a PDR 10 in my bedroom for many years. Nice little sub. However Par-a-digm driver surrounds deteriorate and eventually need re-foaming.
The converter works just fine. I haven't heard any noise.
Vey good. Thanks for update. Cheers
@@breakerbroke23 Oy vey! lol
electrolytic capacitors will love this, I would like to know how Hot this Marantz gets with this configuration.
Using the input to the subwoofer "amplifier" causes no strain on the amplifier as it sees no inductance or capacitance as it would driving a real speaker.
My Amp section runs quite cool. If your amp runs hot it more than likely has a biasing or DC offset issue, IMO.
Cheers.
@@breakerbroke23 if you are using the subs speaker level input instead of the line level, are you certain that you aren't feeding the subwoofer speaker directly? Basically, you seem to be adding a second speaker system running simultaneously. Many good vintage stereos will handle this easily but some will not
I need help guys. I have a Pioneer SA-508 25 watts per channel into 8ohms amp, with A+B speakers. I'm finding it difficult getting 3 way speakers with good bass so i thought adding a sub might work. Any recommendations on the type of sub to look for. I'm new at this. Please help
It depends on your room. Because if you have concrete walls, or a small room, you dont want too big subwoofer. Subs can really create an uneven "peak" in the curve that wont sound correct. I live in a small flat with concrete walls. I intend to buy a
"Dayton Audio SPA250DSP 250W Subwoofer Plate Amplifier with DSP" and make my own subs using two 6,5" Dayton audio DCS165-4 in two separate ported enclosures. For subs a plate amplifier with DSP (Digital sound processor) allows you to tune your subwoofer output so for example if your room creates a peak at 60hz and it drops off at 35hz, you can decrease the power at 60hz and increase it at 35hz so you get a more flat curve. You can also adjust the phase of your subs so they match your speakers (so their respective soundwaves hit your ears at the same time).
Are you always supposed to wire the main speakers into the main AB section and the subwoofer into the remote section or can you do it another way using just main a and b? I have a reciever that has A and b left and right connections. The reciever has no remote option
Then use your main speakers on A and wire the sub on B. By doing this you can add or delete the sub with just the flick of a switch. Providing your receiver will work both A&B at the same time.
Cheers.
@@breakerbroke23 sweet I will try this, thanks !
There's no such thing as Main AB?, Normally A speakers are the Main speakers (or Front speakers?
The B connection are the so called "REAR or REMOTE or EXTRA SPEAKERS.
If you're vintage receiver has the speaker selector for 3 positions:
For A only (Main)
For B only (Rear)
Then for A + B , utilizing 4 speakers at the same time.
It is heavy and robust box on the subwoofer so its a good things because you can have the turntable on the top of the subwoofer and that way save table space.:)
The Sub comes in at 68 LBS. My old Pioneer TT would not be able to play on top of the Sub.
In fact I have to turn off the Sub if I want to really crank up the Stereo while playing Vinyl
i use vintage (1975) Jbl L36 Decade three way floor standers driven by a Pioneer SX-950 stereo receiver ....no lack of bass at my house , JBL are known to be bass rich !
Great video. But just one thing, there's virtually no power going into the high impedance sub inputs. The voltage could be high but it will not draw any current.
How about running a passive sub into a Crown K2 power amp into my vintage integrated? How can this be achieved?
You may need to convert unbalanced (RCA)from your receiver to balanced (XLR) to your crown. I would possibly suggest the ART Clean Box2 to do that. You will also need a electronic cross over or some way of taking a full range signal from the receiver and sending only low pass signal to your amp. Or, you could use a coil type of crossover between the amp and woofer to only pass low frequency.
(You can't/should not play full range through the woofer.) There are a few products to accomplish this but it will get complicated and may be a bit spendy. IMO
I have a reciver won't run both channels A and B at the same time. What could I do in this situation?
Also is it safe to run a subwoofer through the regular speaker outputs? I know doing it that way will have cause vocals to go through it but will it hurt it and would it still add a bit of bass. I have an old 4inch sub that I have no use for so I'm playing around with it
Hi, so just to be clear if i have a set of speakers on A and also have a set of speaker of B both running together i can still just tap in to B for signal to run the powered subwoofer with no ill effects on the receiver amp or speakers? Thank you! I have a Sx 980 receiver.
Correct, The sub input will not drop your impedance. It will work just fine:)
@@breakerbroke23 thank you very much for the quick reply. So having the speakers hooked up to the high level output they will still be using my receiver amps power and will still have the same control of them for the bass and treble on the receiver?
lowriderssux Yes your receiver will not be affected at all, your existing speakers will not be affected at all. The sub will have a full range signal in to it and the X-Over will filter out the mids and highs, and just low s go to the woofer. Try it... Your going to love it. Post a comment when you get your new sub hooked up:) AND, Plz don't forget to subscribe.
I have a 70's Pioneer SA 8500II amp with A+B speaker and I'm running 4 speakers. I have an active sub with just one wire. So can I use a Y splitter to a RCA line level converter to speaker A or B or connect to both A+B. Help...
Use either SPK A or B into the line converter, then Y cable to the sub. Should be just fine. Look for a quality line level conv.
@@breakerbroke23 Thank you
It looks like you flipped the phasing of the wiring.
Check out @9:45 and @10:04 I did mix up L&R However:)
I just bought a Klipsch subwoofer that only has rca inputs. No speaker wire connection. So i found out that i need to use a line level converter. Any experience with this? Could this degrade the sound quality? Thanks.
The line tap will work just fine and if any audio degrade is happening it would be in the high frequency range which you are cutting out with the sub x over . So go for it.
@@breakerbroke23 Thanks so much for the response. I have an old NAD amplifier without sub output connection.
Can i do this with A home theater subwoofer? Pls respond
I believe your sub has speaker level inputs. So if it does the YES!
Why don't you just go from the pre-amp out on the Marantz to the line in on the sub?
You could do that, however in my installation the RCA cable run is so long I would lose some signal. AND... A lot of viewers receivers do not have this variable pre out. Good comment. Cheers
@@alfredlim2731 What's farther? Chicago or by train?
U hook up wires to rear speakers or front speakers on your receiver
I hook up to the rear speakers, so that I can turn the woofer off by turning off the rear speakers.
@@breakerbroke23 On my Hitachi SR903, I can turn off BOTH A and B outputs, but I have no pre-out on it. That's why I will wire it the way you are doing, because I already have my other rooms connected with active speakers, so I can use A or B with my sub, It's also nice to be able to compare quickly how it sounds with a sub and without a sub by pressing a button.
Greetings..I have a--Polk Audio PSW-10 SUB. It doesn't say "High Level Input/Output" just speaker level input/output. Will this configuration still work? Thanks for the video.
Yes its the same thing... Just use SPK Level input.. Cheers
@@breakerbroke23 THANK YOU..I'LL GIVE IT A TRY.
Just hooked up to the sub when I put on A+B speaker my bookshelf got a very low volume of sounds even I turn to 1 o’clock all I hear just the sub, when switched back to A only the bookshelf ‘s normal sounds is back that was 9 o’clock I was thinking might be the receiver not enough powers to drive A+B? Any ideas? Thanks
What receiver are you using? I would just wire the sub to spk A with your bookshelfs. The sub input has no effect on what impedance your receiver will see. So if your speakers are 8ohm and you add the sub, your receiver will still see aprox a 8ohm load. Your good to go.....BB23
@@breakerbroke23 I am using the vintage Sanyo DCA 611 integrated amp, it rate 60 Watt per channel it pair full sounds at 9:30 o'clock with my Polk audio M 10 bookshelf.
I will try what's your suggested wire them up together to speaker A output or try a different amp with more power and will see what's happen.
Thanks very much for the input
What would happen or will the sub work if connected to an amp with only one set of speaker outputs?
Can you not share those terminals on the amp so it reaches both the stereo speakers and a sub? Will it cause damage to the equipment? I have an old Nad 302 that i would like to add a sub to...Thanks
Works fine to put the active sub in parallel on one set of speaker outputs. An active sub won't draw any watts from the amp and just uses the signal.
If the stereo is 4 ohms with just the A connections but 8 ohms with both A + B connections, does that mean you can't use 4 ohms speakers on the A connections once you've added the powered subwoofer? Or, does the amp on the subwoofer take the load off the vintage receiver?
Good question. Anyone know?
I thought the Impedance (Ohms) increase only if you hook two speakers in series? If you hook up two speakers in parallel, the Impedance decreases.
Can I connect sony subwoofer ( none powered) ? in Yamaha receiver ? I have subwoofer which comes with sony 5.1 home theater
sagar chopra do you know how many watts the bass speaker is suppose to have ?
Yes you could hook up your woofer,but it will not sound good......At all.
@@patrick7799 4ohm
@@breakerbroke23 but my subwoofer is non powered ( passive)
I know how to hook it up a sub to my vintage receiver now thankfully
I tried this with my old Marantz PM7200 to a powered 150 watt subwoofer Infinity BU-120 pretty much exactly like yours. The Marantz has class A 25 watts and class a/b 90 watts and was just serviced as I bought it second hand from a friend, but the sub woofer does not work. Btw I ive in Europe- retired. I an splitting 2 receivers with 1 set of front Infinity Reference 60 that I just bought second hand. The Yamaha 5.1 surround receiver with a direct low level into the sub woofer works perfect. I want to add the sub to the Marantz system for music listening exclusively. I did use the speaker b system as you recommended, but not real expensive speaker wire. Pretty much just normal wire. Ideas? Thanks. Ps i believe the Marantz is just underpowered for this setup, but drives my Infinty Reference 60s just fine at 25 watts. Actually, to troubleshoot this issue correctly I should wire my main speakers to the B outputs to see if there is a problem with the Marantz power supply on the B channel. Also this Marantz model does not have a preamp output jack. :( Any thoughts?
Use your spk out to get audio to your sub
Finally able to get out my old stereo that I purchased in the service, circa late 80's. In the video you talked about the power the amp puts out and into the sub, my sub is a jbl venue 12 powered at 250 rms. If hooked up to speaker b from yamaha amp could that cause plate amp in sub to blow fuse?
Thank You for any advice and the great video.
If that sub has speaker inputs, it will accept the speaker output from your Yamaha. Should not blow fuses.
@@breakerbroke23 Thanks for the info, could I also ask is it possible to have a set of speakers hooked to the b terminals and then use bannana clips also in the b terminals for the sub?
Thanks for the help.
If there's no channel B, why can't I use High Level Out?
My integrated amp offers only connection for only a pair of speakers, how can i connect my active sub?
Just add the sub like you would an extra pair of speakers.
The receiver will still see only the load of your speakers, (4_8 ohms) and not the sub.
My klipsch heresy's
sound great but need more low end thanks !
IMHO... Heresy's kind of suck! I have owned 2 pair and still own my original birch ply Heresy's, in order to stand to listen to them I use a sub. I use a powered 15 and roll it off a bit high. I would sell them but they are kind of sentimental to me:) I used an old Kenwood Model 11 II. No AV amp for the Klipsch....Cheers
@@breakerbroke23 mine thru my sansui dont suck , but there is no bass .
Yes, no low end. Any speaker of this physical size and sporting a 12 inch driver should have some low end. Yes your Sansui will make them sound good compared to any modern AV receiver. But still a complete letdown. IMHO They need to be accompanied by a subwoofer. We need to remember they were designed to accent the K Horn .... Was the K Horn the low end producing speaker of the day?
Hmmm neat stuff Eh?
Hi, This is great information! I have 1 twist! I have a Rotel RX-855 receiver and a Rotel RB-850 amp that I am bridging in mono. How does adding a sub differ with this setup?
You have Pre in and Pre out jumpers on the back of the receiver. I would assume that the Pre RCA out vari volume with the vol control on the front panel. Yes? If they do vari with the front knob then you would get a RCA Y cord. Two RCA males to one RCA female. run an rca cable to the sub and plug into LFE in or Mono in. If you have both Left and Right RCA in on the sub then run a stereo L&R RCA directly to the sub. The subwoofer takes in both L&R input signals and sums them to mono and sends that to the amp powering the single sub. Done!
@@breakerbroke23 Thank you very much!
I don't have A + B speakers so this isn't possible at all is it? Tape out RCA would work?
Tape out will not work as is a set pre-amp level, won't adjust with your volume control. You can just add the sub wired to your amp along with your spks. The receiver will still just see your spk Independence (4 or 8 ) ohms.
if you have a powered sub you should be just fine running a 'line level' signal from the tape out to the sub.
@@pinkskud1 tape out is a fixed level. So no it will not work
@@breakerbroke23 yes, line level. a powered sub has its own amp, thats why it has a line level RCA input.
@@pinkskud1 correct, but the fixed tape out will not adjust volume to the sub when using your volume control on the receiver. Doubt me? Try it.
(some receivers may adjust vol through a "tape loop" but that is VERY Very rare)
Report what you find if you like.
This audio thing is all about trial and error, and like you, always think outside the box.
Cheers.
Is it possible to do this with a subwoofer with only RCA connections?
You sure can, use one of these line taps amzn.to/3hkccLm
Great question you "handsome sum-bitch"
Signed B.T. Justice
can i lower vocal and higher the instruments in any song
no
Interesting. One question, is it ok 8 om my Subwoofer? Thanks 👍
What will happen if u run everything just thru A ???
It will work just great.
I use the sub on speaker B because sometimes I like not using the sub and I can just turn it off with the flick of a switch.
@@breakerbroke23 Thanx for prompt reply & expertise!