A line level converter takes the higher voltage speaker signal from an amplifier or home receiver and scales it down significantly so it’s safe to use with RCA inputs. Shown here are two examples of line level/RCA speaker level converters that work well for home receiver/amp to subwoofer use. They’re not commonly used for home stereos but are still really useful there, too. They’re extremely handy in the car stereo world because they make it possible to connect a stereo without RCA outputs to any amplifier. Line level converters, also called speaker level converters or “hi-lo converters”, are small adapters that accept speaker wire connections and scale down the speaker level signal to a low level signal (RCA jack) type output used by amplifiers. What is a line level converter, and how do they help? Right: An RCA Y adapter that can be used with a line level converter to connect to a subwoofer with a single RCA input jack.įor subwoofers with only 1 or more RCA input jacks (no speaker level inputs), a simple way to connect them to a receiver with no subwoofer output is by using a line level converter. Left: Example of a powered subwoofer with 2, instead of the typical 1, RCA input jacks. Connecting a receiver to a subwoofer with RCA input jacks DIAGRAM & EXAMPLES: Connecting a subwoofer to a receiver without a subwoofer outputġ. That’s simply not true.Īs I mentioned at the beginning of my article there are several ways to work around this problem. In fact, some of the information you’ll find right now on the internet says that you have to buy another subwoofer if you don’t have a receiver with an output jack.
While that’s nice, if yours doesn’t have that feature, ordinarily you’d need to buy a different subwoofer and waste money. Some models also include speaker level inputs meaning they can be used with any modern or old home stereo receiver without a subwoofer output. These connect with a single male to male RCA cable to a powered subwoofer.
Mono (monaural) subwoofer output jacks combine both stereo channels into one so that no sounds are lost like can happen with only using the left or right side signal.Įxample of the mono RCA subwoofer output jack found on many home receivers. The subwoofer input jack usually connects to a single mono output jack on the receiver, although some models provide stereo RCA inputs but can usually work with just a single mono connection. Subwoofer level adjustment know (the amplifier’s gain level).Subwoofer crossover frequency adjustment.Here’s an example of what you’ll usually find: Powered subwoofers usually have several inputs and controls but it always depends on the brand and model. Note: Not all subwoofers have speaker level inputs, which makes it a problem connecting them to a receiver without a subwoofer output. Powered subwoofer inputs & controls you may (or may not) haveĮxample of a powered subwoofer with 2 types of signal inputs (speaker level and RCA jacks) along with sound controls. The “.1” is used to represent a sound channel limited to optional subwoofer use. The subwoofer output jack on a receiver is normally limited to passing bass only, either from stereo music production or from the “.1” subwoofer channel (dedicated subwoofer music content) of a surround sound system.įor example, when you hear references to “5.1” or “2.1” speaker systems or surround sound audio for movies, the first number represents the number of main speakers. The problem comes when you try to connect a subwoofer to a signal without a crossover – it sounds terrible! In order to produce clean-sounding bass without vocals or other sounds a subwoofer can’t properly produce, a low-pass crossover is used. The subwoofer works by resting inside of a speaker enclosure where bass frequencies are captured as the woofer cone movies, producing deep bass sound. It’s wired directly the speaker terminals or through passive bass crossover inside in some cases. Passive (non-powered) subwoofers are simply a subwoofer speaker inside a bass enclosure.These types are one of the most common and in many cases use an RCA type input jack to connect to the receiver for sound. Powered subwoofers use a low-signal signal that is boosted using a built-in amplifier, power supply, and output only bass using a crossover.Home stereo subwoofers are available in two different types: powered (“active”) and non-powered (“passive”). Stereo vs surround sound receiver subwoofer output differencesĬomparison of non-powered (passive) vs powered (active) home stereo subwoofer enclosures.Connecting receiver speaker outputs to a passive sub Using a mini amplifier for passive subwoofers DIAGRAM & EXAMPLES: Connecting a subwoofer to a receiver without a subwoofer output.Powered subwoofer inputs & controls you may (or may not) have.
0 kommentar(er)
