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Topic: passive subwoofer to unused speaker output on AVR (Read 8501 times) previous topic - next topic
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passive subwoofer to unused speaker output on AVR

In my home office I do not have room for a proper powered subwoofer. I would like to improve the bass, it is totally out of the question to do that.

I am thinking of installing a 100watt passive in-wall subwoofer (the passive sub I have in mind has a good crossover). It will use 14 gauge speaker wire to connect to my unused "Surround Rear Left" speaker terminal. I will use "Mono" or "All Channel Stereo" listening mode.


The Surround Rear Left outputs 100 watts RMS, and the passive subwoofer I had in mind handles 100 watts RMS, so it seems like a perfect match.


If I wire the passive sub to my "Surround Rear Left" speaker terminal will the sound from the passive subwoofer be OK?

I want to make sure I am not losing any audio signal if I do it like this?? Would I be losing the "Surround Rear Right" bass signal?  Would it be better to install 2 passive subs? That way I could wire one to "Surround Rear Left" *and* "Surround Rear Right".

I realize that if I changed the listening mode to "surround sound" that it would not work at all.

Is it wrong to assume that the bass frequencies are the same for both Left and Right channels in "All Channel Stereo" listening mode?

passive subwoofer to unused speaker output on AVR

Reply #1 –
That will probably work.  You'll need to set your bass management on your receiver for "full range" surround speakers, otherwise the bass will be filtered-out.

In an typical surround set-up where the 5 small speakers can't reproduce bass, bass management normally takes the bass from the 5 surround channels and routes it to the sub (along with the LFE bass).

That should give you the "regular" bass from your 2-channel or 5-channel signals.  However, whan you play a 5.1 channel DVD, you will not get any of the ".1" LFE (Low Frequency Effects) channel.

Another option would be to get an amp for the subwoofer.  You probably do have room for an amp.  Maybe you could get a plate amplifier (designed to be built-into a subwoofer) and mount the plate amplifier in the wall?  And, you probably don't need a 100W amp for your small office.

passive subwoofer to unused speaker output on AVR

Reply #2 –
Quote from: DVDdoug on
That will probably work.  You'll need to set your bass management on your receiver for "full range" surround speakers, otherwise the bass will be filtered-out.

In an typical surround set-up where the 5 small speakers can't reproduce bass, bass management normally takes the bass from the 5 surround channels and routes it to the sub (along with the LFE bass).

That should give you the "regular" bass from your 2-channel or 5-channel signals.  However, whan you play a 5.1 channel DVD, you will not get any of the ".1" LFE (Low Frequency Effects) channel.

Another option would be to get an amp for the subwoofer.  You probably do have room for an amp.  Maybe you could get a plate amplifier (designed to be built-into a subwoofer) and mount the plate amplifier in the wall?  And, you probably don't need a 100W amp for your small office.

Thanks! I think I will try a dedicated monoblock. Where can I find an plate or dedicated amp with coax LFE input for about 100 bucks?

passive subwoofer to unused speaker output on AVR

Reply #3 –
The sub won't output the right-channel bass, though, if you set it to all ch stereo. Do you have an Onkyo, by the way? I was gonna mention those exact same amps in that exact same site by the way, seems like a great idea.

passive subwoofer to unused speaker output on AVR

Reply #4 –
Quote from: andy o on
The sub won't output the right-channel bass, though, if you set it to all ch stereo. Do you have an Onkyo, by the way? I was gonna mention those exact same amps in that exact same site by the way, seems like a great idea.


I have 12 Marantz SR6001 and 1 Onkyo TXNR807. That is why I am trying to find an inexpensive way to have a powered subwoofer in each room. Any ideas?

passive subwoofer to unused speaker output on AVR

Reply #5 –
There are two plate amps there that seem perfect, at $63 and $85, did you follow the link?

BTW, you have 12 Marantz receivers? If it was not a typo, why is "inexpensive" even in your vocabulary?

passive subwoofer to unused speaker output on AVR

Reply #6 –
I got the 12 marantz for $300 apiece at accesories4less.   

I did look at that link, how would I mount the plate amp if I am putting the subwoofers in the wall? How could they be mounted? Since all the Marantz receivers are in the headend, I guess I could mount them in the headend? Is there a "box" shaped amp with LFE input for about $100?

passive subwoofer to unused speaker output on AVR

Reply #7 –
Jesus, what in the world are you running with 12 receivers (plus an Onkyo) anyway?

The plate amp just goes into a rectangular hole, you can just make a hole in the wall cavity your sub is going I guess, and put it there. It's for DIY'ers, like much of the stuff at partsexpress. I was going to buy one of those for a 12" car sub I have on a box.

passive subwoofer to unused speaker output on AVR

Reply #8 –
thanks alot Andy for your input. The 12 AVR amps are for each room of the house.... using a video storm av distribution system. fun stuff. I recently found the bic venturi v1020 for $90 on amazon, it msrp is 499 and is a great powered sub from what I am reading.

passive subwoofer to unused speaker output on AVR

Reply #9 –
Quote from: cresgeek on
thanks alot Andy for your input. The 12 AVR amps are for each room of the house.... using a video storm av distribution system. fun stuff. I recently found the bic venturi v1020 for $90 on amazon, it msrp is 499 and is a great powered sub from what I am reading.

You got 12 rooms?! 

Anyway, check the shipping price on that $91 store. You're better off buying directly from Amazon at $143 w/free shipping.

passive subwoofer to unused speaker output on AVR

Reply #10 –
Ok. Good catch

passive subwoofer to unused speaker output on AVR

Reply #11 –
Maybe you don't need a small sub, just get a BIG one and use one of the rooms as the enclosure!

passive subwoofer to unused speaker output on AVR

Reply #12 –
They had me till the 20k price tag