Using 5 channel receiver for stereo sub and speakers

renfrow · 20th September 2006, 04:38 AM

What would you think about using a 5 channel receiver to power 2 passive subwoofers and a set of speakers? I'd set the front speakers to large, using them for the subs, and the 'surround' to small, using them for the set of speakers, then use Y connectors to send the stereo input to both front and surround inputs. I've got a spare 5 channel receiver, and have just won a pair of subwoofer drivers on auction, and was wondering how this would work, when they get here...

Thanks!

Tom.

looneybomber · 20th September 2006, 06:53 AM

Essentially you're bi-amping them by doing that. That could work so long as you have lowpass passive x-overs for the subs and they're a high enough impedance not to overload the receiver.

What you're doing might not be the best way of doing things, but poor boys have poor ways right?

Speaking of poor ways, I once used a pair of car 6.5" put them in their own tupperware container (a small one that the basket fit into to use as an enclosure) and put them in a trash can filled with clothes. The clothes acted as a lowpass filter so I wouldn't hear the highs. It helped add a little bass to my boombox system

Wow that was ghetto...

Having that said, I say go for it! Use what you've got and be creative! Just make sure you're not going to overload your receiver and get some x-overs for those. Actually, partsexpress has what you need if you're only using the receiver as an amp! It plugs in before the amp. However if you're using the receivers radio tuner, you're going to be SOL, so plan wisely

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=266-254

richie00boy · 20th September 2006, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Parts Express
What is an FMOD™? The FMOD™ is an active crossover simulator. It is better than a much more expensive electronic crossover that requires power to operate.

Somebody's telling porkies.

sreten · 20th September 2006, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by renfrow
What would you think about using a 5 channel receiver to power 2 passive subwoofers and a set of speakers? I'd set the front speakers to large, using them for the subs, and the 'surround' to small, using them for the set of speakers, then use Y connectors to send the stereo input to both front and surround inputs. I've got a spare 5 channel receiver, and have just won a pair of subwoofer drivers on auction, and was wondering how this would work, when they get here...

Thanks!

Tom.

Hi,

If its a 5.1 reciever with a line sub out and line channel ins there
are better ways of doing it than the above as far as I can tell.

Left and right set to small, set to 2.1, Y split subout to surrounds
left and right for each subwoofer, no passive filters required.

/sreten.

looneybomber · 20th September 2006, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sreten
Hi,

If its a 5.1 reciever with a line sub out and line channel ins there
are better ways of doing it than the above as far as I can tell.

Left and right set to small, set to 2.1, Y split subout to surrounds
left and right for each subwoofer, no passive filters required.

/sreten.

Oohh, that's good! Much better idea, so long as he has sub outs. How much of a delay would that cause after all the processing? Less than 3-4ms?

renfrow · 21st September 2006, 02:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by sreten
Hi,

If its a 5.1 reciever with a line sub out and line channel ins there
are better ways of doing it than the above as far as I can tell.

Left and right set to small, set to 2.1, Y split subout to surrounds
left and right for each subwoofer, no passive filters required.

/sreten.

Thanks! I'll try that! I hope setting it to 2.1 doesn't turn off the surround amps!

Tom.

sreten · 21st September 2006, 09:40 AM

Hi,

Hmmm.......

What we don't want is the 2.1 setting mixing all 5 inputs,
then the subout to surround in will cause a feedback loop.

What we do want is a setting that only accepts inputs from
left and right and separates these to filtered left and right
and a sub output, and leaves the other inputs - centre,
right and left rear directly connected to their amplifiers.

I'm not sure if this is possible ..........

/sreten.

bobo1on1 · 21st September 2006, 02:17 PM

If it's a real 5.1 receiver that has fancy things like dolby pro logic with a line level subwoofer out you can set it to stereo mode.

20th September 2006, 04:38 AM	#1
renfrow diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah, USA	Using 5 channel receiver for stereo sub and speakers What would you think about using a 5 channel receiver to power 2 passive subwoofers and a set of speakers? I'd set the front speakers to large, using them for the subs, and the 'surround' to small, using them for the set of speakers, then use Y connectors to send the stereo input to both front and surround inputs. I've got a spare 5 channel receiver, and have just won a pair of subwoofer drivers on auction, and was wondering how this would work, when they get here... Thanks! Tom. __________________ Now, we can do this the hard way, or... well, actually there's just the hard way. -- Buffy Summers (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

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20th September 2006, 06:53 AM	#2
looneybomber diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2006	Essentially you're bi-amping them by doing that. That could work so long as you have lowpass passive x-overs for the subs and they're a high enough impedance not to overload the receiver. What you're doing might not be the best way of doing things, but poor boys have poor ways right? Speaking of poor ways, I once used a pair of car 6.5" put them in their own tupperware container (a small one that the basket fit into to use as an enclosure) and put them in a trash can filled with clothes. The clothes acted as a lowpass filter so I wouldn't hear the highs. It helped add a little bass to my boombox system Wow that was ghetto... Having that said, I say go for it! Use what you've got and be creative! Just make sure you're not going to overload your receiver and get some x-overs for those. Actually, partsexpress has what you need if you're only using the receiver as an amp! It plugs in before the amp. However if you're using the receivers radio tuner, you're going to be SOL, so plan wisely http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=266-254

21st September 2006, 09:40 AM	#7
sreten diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brighton UK	Hi, Hmmm....... What we don't want is the 2.1 setting mixing all 5 inputs, then the subout to surround in will cause a feedback loop. What we do want is a setting that only accepts inputs from left and right and separates these to filtered left and right and a sub output, and leaves the other inputs - centre, right and left rear directly connected to their amplifiers. I'm not sure if this is possible .......... /sreten.

21st September 2006, 02:17 PM	#8
bobo1on1 diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Tulips, windmills and wooden shoes.	If it's a real 5.1 receiver that has fancy things like dolby pro logic with a line level subwoofer out you can set it to stereo mode.