1. Home
    2. >
  2. Forum
    3. >
  3. Home Audio Forum
    4. >
  4. Subwoofers Forum
    5. >
  5. Archive through January 05, 2006 Forum
    6. >

Powered Subwoofer Connection?

 

Kyle
New member
Username: Kpof38

Post Number: 1
Registered: Aug-05
Posted on   
I just bought the Onkyo HT-S580 Home Theater system. The reciever it comes with does not have a "Subwoofer out" for a "subwoofer cable" to connect the subwoofer, but does have a regular +/-speaker wire connection for a subwoofer.

My boss just gave me a DCM TB1 powered subwoofer that is much better than the sub that came with my system so I would like to switch the subwoofers.

Here is the problem. The DCM requires a subwoofer cable to hookup the sub to a 5.1 system which my reciever cannot accept. Is there a way I can connect the DCM to my reciever by using a regular 16 gage speaker wire connection and still get the 5.1 performance?

Thanks.
 

Andy Summers
Gold Member
Username: Thx_3417

Post Number: 1039
Registered: May-05
Posted on   
Kyle,

This sounds interesting, can you place an image of the Onkyo HT-S580 front and back views, so I can work out the problem for you......
 

Berny
Gold Member
Username: Project6

Post Number: 3514
Registered: Dec-03
Posted on   
That particular subwoofer has connections for high level inputs. You should be able to connect the subwoofer speaker outputs from your Onkyo in to the High level input of the subwoofer.

You shouldn't have any problems. Check the back of your subwoofer and get back here and let us know if they have high level inputs or not.
 

Kyle
New member
Username: Kpof38

Post Number: 2
Registered: Aug-05
Posted on   
Here is a link to check it out on Circuitcity.com...

http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=Onkyo+HT-S580

...Click 3d view, then click detailed view.

Thanks.
 

Kyle
New member
Username: Kpof38

Post Number: 3
Registered: Aug-05
Posted on   
Here is the link for info on the sub...

http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=DCM+TB1

...and yes it has high and low regular speaker connections I believe.
 

Kyle
New member
Username: Kpof38

Post Number: 4
Registered: Aug-05
Posted on   
Is the sound with an actual subwoofer cable that much better than with a normal set of speaker wires?
 

Berny
Gold Member
Username: Project6

Post Number: 3518
Registered: Dec-03
Posted on   
no, just different construction.
Did you ever check the bcak of your subwoofer?
As I said before check the back...I have dealt with that subwoofer before that is why I was telling you that it has high level inputs.

All you need to cennect them are regular speaker wires.
 

Kyle
New member
Username: Kpof38

Post Number: 5
Registered: Aug-05
Posted on   
I just made the connection. I'll test it out tonight and get back to you.
 

Berny
Gold Member
Username: Project6

Post Number: 3529
Registered: Dec-03
Posted on   
rumble on Kyle:-)
 

Andy Summers
Gold Member
Username: Thx_3417

Post Number: 1052
Registered: May-05
Posted on   
Kyle,

The sub bass unit (DCM) will have a set of binding plugs on the back of it saying (high pass in) now if this is true and the Onkyo HT-S580 has sub bass output via a speaker line for sub bass use, use it, it will send the discrete LFE track to the sub bass (DCM).

Don't worry about the high pass input there designed to take a line in voltage, though I not totally sure for that particular model the (DCM).

Read though the owners manual, carefully to clarify this...

Well that more clear, I think, wait a second I'm now looking at the sub bass unit called (DCM) I've noted the frequency response is down to 42Hz though with a power rating of 100watts onboard.

Will this seam low to you, its going to have trouble with some films though, a little friendly advice from a former cinema projectionist, set the level on it to the film "Fight Club" and for God sakes use a SPL db meter as pictured in this post, there very affordable and easy to use, once you have had a few hours practice with it.

UploadAround $24.00 dollars

If you where to check the LFE test thread out that I have put up, it notes the highest films within my DVD collection of just starting over 700 DVD's now, its I just don't want to hear that you have bottomed out the sub bass unit....

Anyway any more questions Kyle, I'll do my up most best to try and answer them for you.

Good luck and remember be careful as home cinema needs special techniques into getting it right.

Ashley
 

Andy Summers
Gold Member
Username: Thx_3417

Post Number: 1053
Registered: May-05
Posted on   
Kyle,

Note make sure the level on chapter 9 on "Fight Club" is at the lowest level on the (DCM) sub bass unit, and play the scene over few times gradually turning the sub bass volume up a few db at a time, until it registers around (105dbc weighting SPL slow) there about, has this sub bass will not extend down far enough without making a popping sound due to the voice coil begin pushed beyond its technical tolerances, keep them within and it should last....

The LFE test
https://www.ecoustics.com/electronics/forum/home-audio/154770.html

Ashley
 

Kyle
New member
Username: Kpof38

Post Number: 6
Registered: Aug-05
Posted on   
Berny and Andy,

Well I hooked it up and watch Jurassic Park it it was pretty intense. 100x better than the sub the system came with. With that added to the system, it sounds pretty good for a $270 system (actually a $485 system now, but got the sub for free though)

I do agree with you Andy, it does need some adjustments so I will have to look into your other LFE post.

Another question, there are two nobs and a switch on the back. The switch says 0-Phase-180, and the knobs are Level and Crossover frequency. I am running 150 frequency for my surround speakers (the reciever manual told me to do so) so what frequency should I run the sub.
 

Andy Summers
Gold Member
Username: Thx_3417

Post Number: 1097
Registered: May-05
Posted on   
Kyle,

The phase switch should be kept in 0º setting, if you had a test tone or something like a mono film on DVD to check this out that the centre channel is in phase with the sub bass, with the sub basses setting in normal position, and the fronts set to small.

Now play a film that has a sound effect with low bass, and noting the way the centre channel and the sub bass act together is there a strong presence in the sound, if there is, but if you are not sure, then switch it to 180º setting, and playing the same scene over again on the DVD if the bass is now somewhat less, then switch it back to the 0º setting it is in phase.

Now select the mode on the AVR to play the soundtrack over the left and right channels, though it well still be in mono that is it's a mono soundtrack that you are using to compare that phasing is indeed in phase, now play it all over again with the phase setting at 0º on the sub bass and noting from the leistering position is there a strong bass reinforcement, or is it less, switching the phase setting on the sub bass will determine if it is indeed phased.

If you buy an SPL db meter as they cheep, you will learn a few things about what you have, and more too.

Ashley
 

Anonymous
 
Posted on   
I have a powered Subwoofer, can I connect it to the sub connection on my HT reciever?
 

Craig Morley
Unregistered guest
Posted on   
Can I connect an active sub to my Cambridge audio A1 amp via the "rec out" rca?Or can i connect the sub via the speaker outputs and then connect my other two speakers to the sub using it as a crossover assuming the sub has "speaker outputs" this will help me decide wether I buy new speakers or just a sub to get my bass craving.
 

just trying
Unregistered guest
Posted on   
Here. You can hook up a sub with speaker wire through your main posts, or through set B if your receiver allows set B to be always on. You can hook up a sub with your pre-amp main L/R out's. You can hook a sub up with your filtered LFE out from your receiver. The choice is up to you based on what methods are available with what you have, or maybe you want to bypass your receivers internal crossover.
« Previous Thread Next Thread »



Main Forums

Today's Posts

Forum Help

Follow Us