steve

[platemaker]

I purchased a Polk PSW110 sub and when i got home and looked at the back i see no LFE sub-in hookup, just all the speaker lines and a left right (red white) RCA in. My question is if i use a splitter at the end of my sub cable will i get the same quality sound output? The store said to just plug my sub cable into the right side RCA.

[revboden]

quality sound output? from a polk...

Just use a Y cable to split the sub output into the L/R inputs.

[Cal Weldon]

Usually if you have just a single sub out you plug it into the right RCA as the store suggested. You can use a splitter if it makes you feel better but I think you'll find there's no difference.

[platemaker]

will the filters of the sub and reciever be competing. and am i getting as good performance as i would with dedicated lfe

[revboden]

Set the sub's LP filter to 160Hz and let the receiver handle the XO.

[Michael Chua]

I have the same Polk PSW110. There are a few ways to wire it up. I assume you are using a Receiver with LFE out.

From the outset, you need to decide whether you want to use the LFE or to bypass it and use the PSW110 crossover. Though the LFE has a Low Pass Filter, I believe it is more than that. It is actually the Low Frequency Effects used in movies, like in Surround Sound. So, if you are watching movies and you have a subwoofer hooked up to the Receiver's LFE Out, the Low Frequency Effects (explosions, rumble of earthquakes etc.) will be channeled out through the LFE to the sub instead of to the Main Speakers. Basically, it's for movies Surround Sound (DTS Digital Dolby etc).

If you are only using your Receiver for music, you may want to bypass the LFE Out.

Simply connect your Receiver LINE OUTS to the PSW110 Line IN (L and R).

If you don't have LINE OUTS, you can use the PSW110 "SPEAKER LEVEL INPUT". Your speakers will be connected to the Receiver as per normal. Run another set of speaker wires from the Receiver Speaker L/R Out to the PSW110 "SPEAKER LEVEL INPUT L/R". This way, you are actually using the power amp output to drive the PSW110.

Whether you use the LINE IN or the SPEAKER LEVEL INPUTS, crossover will be by the PSW110 internal crossover (provided you set the Receiver to Full Range). You'll need to check you Receiver's Manual for the correct setting. I think it's "Large" or something similar.

[leadbelly]

The short answer to your question is just use a Y cable or only use either L or R, if it works and the output is loud enough for you, then your work is done; you haven't lost any quality.

The longer answer is that if you have done this and there's a problem such as picking up hum from a long cable run or volume seems too low, then the answer is to make a custom cable with a single connector at the receiver end, and dual connectors at the sub end, with the RCA pins shorted between the 2 but only one connector connected to shield.

[Cal Weldon]

Originally Posted by Michael Chua

Run another set of speaker wires from the Receiver Speaker L/R Out to the PSW110 "SPEAKER LEVEL INPUT L/R". This way, you are actually using the power amp output to drive the PSW110.

Is this something peculiar to the Polk units?

[leadbelly]

Originally Posted by Cal Weldon

Is this something peculiar to the Polk units?

No no; his wording is awkward but he is basically saying that you can either use line level or speaker output connections to the Polk, not that you use both at once.

[Michael Chua]

Originally Posted by Cal Weldon

Is this something peculiar to the Polk units?

I don't think so. The High Level Inputs (SPEAKER LEVEL INPUTS) seem to be a common feature in active subs. . The Dayton Subs at PE have them. Click here to download the Dayton SA-240B manual. There's a good explanation on the sub inputs and the use of the LFE on the Receiver.

Leadbelly is correct. Connect one or the other (ie only the RCA or the Speakers Input). Not both at once.