need help with sub connection(newbie)

[kambrian]

Ok, Im a complete audio newbie(Sorry, Im learning, any links with info is greatly appreciated). Anyways, I have a 3 way speaker I'd like to try as my sub(possible?) but the connection is different. It uses the 2 wire connection(no idea what its called) rather than the one typical of receivers these days. Is there any way to convert it or do I need to suck it up and buy a sub?

[zx3chris]

i may not fully understand what you are talkng about. but all speakers ive ever dealt with are two wires --- one for reference + and - . if you have a woofer in this 3 way system, you could use it as a sub, but the high frequencies need to be filtered out. this could either be done by your amplifier (if it supports it), or by using passive components (inductors and capacitors). Do you have the specs on what amp you have, which speaker you are trying to use?

if you have a 3 way speaker with a woofer mid and tweet in there, there is prolly already a filter on the woofer, but not at the right frequency for sub bass -- you would still hear voices and such out of it. Anyway, alot of woofers found in 3way setups are not ideal for subbass and you might be better off buying a stand alone sub.

-chris

[kambrian]

Right, the speaker connection is +/- but the sub connection on my receiver is just one plug. kinda like the ones on a PC for speaker,mic etc. And I'm just curious what its gonna sound like and if its possible. I remember reading somewhere that someone had two of these speakers set up as passive subs.

[AndersP]

Hi.

The connector on your receiver is what is referred to as a line out. This means low level signal, typically max 1 volt may be 2. To drive a speaker this signal has to be amplified with another piece of gear called power amplifier. Your receiver does not have a power amp for this output because most HT-rigs nowadays use active subwoofers with all amplification contained in them.

Being on a shoestring one solution could be using an old stereo integrated amp to do the work of subwoofer power amp.

The best thing, of course, is to build or buy a decent subwoofer.

[kambrian]

Thanks. Do you know where I could find some information on audio equipment in general? How to build my own, how they work, how to determine whats good and whats bad, etc etc. Looking for some reading material basicaly

[Therac]

Why don't you just start here... There are now 109 pages that will help you on your way