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General discussion

Subwoofer Wiring Options

by chlapek Mar 1, 2006 3:24AM PST

I have a powered sub that can connect directly to my Onkto receiver but also has inputs to route the front speaker wires through. I have always wired it that way and I'm not sure why. Am I better off wiring it directly to the receiver through the subwoofer pre-out?
Does it matter? Thanks!

Discussion is locked

5 Posts
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(NT) (NT) Use sub out from the reciver. John
by jcrobso Mar 1, 2006 6:48AM PST
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Subwoofer wiring
by chlapek Mar 2, 2006 6:10AM PST

Thanks for the response. I was wondering what the difference is just for my own knowledge? Will the direct connect to the subwoofer improve sound quality at all? I'd rather not rewire or buy a new cable if it's not really going to make much of a difference... Thanks!!

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should make a difference
by stewart norrie Mar 2, 2006 6:52AM PST

All you need is one r.c.a. cable from the amp to the sub, also the bass will be much cleaner

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powered subs dont require the speaker wire conneciton
by masterying01 Mar 2, 2006 8:39AM PST

the rca's would work just fine. it'll let the sub take care of the power usage on its own and put less stress on the receiver.

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Simply. . .
by Coryphaeus Mar 2, 2006 10:57AM PST

The speaker jacks are for older receivers that do not have a sub-/pre-amp out. You can run your front speakers to the jacks, the sub-woofer circuitry will cut off/clip the lower frequencies and route them to the sub-woofer, depending on the frequency you set on the back of the SW. If your SW does not have a frequency selector knob, the cut-off frequency is usually around 150 Hz.

You'll get better control using the sub-/pre-amp jacks as most high end receivers have the frequency selection for the SW in the setup menu.

HTH,

Wayne

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