It looks like those speakers are harder to drive than the specs indicate.
”Sound
The ES80 presents a nominal 8 ohm load with a 91dB efficiency. The speaker proved to be a tougher load than the specs would indicate and needed good-quality power to open up properly, not excelling with entry-level power sources. Better-quality power sources improved things significantly.”
https://hometheaterreview.com/jbl-es80-floorstanding-loudspeakers-reviewed/
”Sound
The ES80 presents a nominal 8 ohm load with a 91dB efficiency. The speaker proved to be a tougher load than the specs would indicate and needed good-quality power to open up properly, not excelling with entry-level power sources. Better-quality power sources improved things significantly.”
https://hometheaterreview.com/jbl-es80-floorstanding-loudspeakers-reviewed/
If you stream music, try a Bluesound Node 2i or the new model. It can do 2.1 and filter the frequencies. It has adjustable frequency cut off in the app. I haven’t found a cheaper streamer that can do this.
I run the wires from the speaker outputs on the amp to the high level input on the sub. Most subs will have both line level and high level inputs, and a switch to select which are active. I’d use line level if you have line output, or the B speaker channel if you have that choice. But since I don’t, I double up on the speaker outputs using banana plugs and spade connectors. Works well, no issues.
Edit: Oops. I missed the word “passive.” You mean it’s not a powered sub? In that case what I said above is wrong for you. Subs require a lot of power (hundreds of watts) and you’re not going to get it from a flea powered tube amp. If the JBLs are 8 ohm that may complicate things further. You’ll need a separate amp for the sub. It would probably be better to just buy a modern powered sub with its own power and all the connectivity and adjustment options included.
Edit: Oops. I missed the word “passive.” You mean it’s not a powered sub? In that case what I said above is wrong for you. Subs require a lot of power (hundreds of watts) and you’re not going to get it from a flea powered tube amp. If the JBLs are 8 ohm that may complicate things further. You’ll need a separate amp for the sub. It would probably be better to just buy a modern powered sub with its own power and all the connectivity and adjustment options included.
Last edited:
Many thanks for the good advice. Yeah, we were coming to that conclusion - but good to have it confirmed - as well as the clarification regarding the possible wiring out of the 8200. You can't always get what you want, to quote those great philosophers, the Rolling Stones ...