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Connecting a subwoofer

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ludu

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Connecting a subwoofer

PostSat Dec 15, 2018 4:26 am

Hello,

My sound card has only 2 stereo outputs. I use one for the front and the other one for the rear channels. Therefore, without a 3d output, I’ve to buy external material for the connection of my subwoofer. I’ve two questions:

1) Is it necessary to connect the subwoofer both to the front and the rear channels?

2) I know very well that a ‘Y’ cable isn’t allowed to merge audio sources. But, is it possible to split them in this way? (I mean for example this cable: https://www.thomann.de/fr/cordial_cfy_03_ecc.htm.) If I may connect my subwoofer only to the front outputs, it should only have to divide them in 2 ways. I’ve seen this material on the market: https://www.thomann.de/fr/art_splitmix4.htm, but do I really need such an advanced device for such a simple connection?

Thanks in advance for your help.
Luc
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engrssc

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Re: Connecting a subwoofer

PostSat Dec 15, 2018 12:13 pm

Many/most subs have 2 separate input and 2 separate output connectors. This is so you can "insert" a sub between the audio (card) output and the audio input(s) of the audio amplifier(s).

Search found 848 matches: +connecting +sub

Rgds,
Ed
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ludu

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Re: Connecting a subwoofer

PostSat Dec 15, 2018 12:20 pm

Hello Ed,
Thanks for your post. Unfortunately, my subwoofer (Magna) only has speakers outputs, no line outputs.
Luc
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1961TC4ME

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Re: Connecting a subwoofer

PostSat Dec 15, 2018 1:26 pm

Are you using active monitors for your front and rear channels, or amps and speakers?

Marc
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ludu

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Re: Connecting a subwoofer

PostSat Dec 15, 2018 5:04 pm

Hello Marc,
I use active monitors.
For this reason, the speakers outputs don't help me.
Luc
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IainStinson

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Re: Connecting a subwoofer

PostSat Dec 15, 2018 6:41 pm

You could use a line level audio splitter. Connect the "main" output from your sound card to the splitter and feed the sub and the main channel from the splitter.
I don't have experience of these myself but you might look for something rather like this https://www.thomann.de/gb/behringer_mx882_v2.htm. There may be other devices which better match you requirement (stereo in to two stereo outputs) such as https://www.gear4music.com/PA-DJ-and-Lighting/Klark-Teknik-DS-20-Passive-Splitter/2INI?origin=product-ads&gclid=Cj0KCQiA6dLgBRDoARIsAJgoM4tAa6fDiReX-IayEjpni9IW2jxuowpZRMecoitKvUQTOA5d93JxfiQaAuAcEALw_wcB. You might get away with just connecting the sub in parallel with you powered speakers.https://www.amazon.co.uk/StarTech-com-6in-Stereo-Splitter-Cable-Black/dp/B0000DIESU

Alternatively you could buy a low cost multi channel USB system such as https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cymatic-Audio-LP-16-Live-Player/dp/B00KJ7MH3C and connect the sub as independently as a HW mix down.

Iain
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RichardW

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Re: Connecting a subwoofer

PostSat Dec 15, 2018 7:50 pm

If your subwoofer has speaker outputs does that mean that it has a stereo input?

In which case don't you just need some adaptors? It is difficult to be precise because it depends on exactly which plugs and sockets each device has.

Details of the make and model of both your sound card and subwoofer would be useful.

Regards,
Richard
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1961TC4ME

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Re: Connecting a subwoofer

PostSat Dec 15, 2018 10:17 pm

I would avoid the Y cable idea altogether, and no, you don't need to have both front and rear sources going to the sub. The front main source to the sub will do just fine. I was thinking something along the line of getting a speaker to line level converter. If you search on the internet there's all kinds of options for reasonable money. Run 2 channels from the soundcard to the sub, connect the line level converter to the sub speaker outputs and go from there to the channel 1 / 2 monitors as an example, but this would be kind of a 'Mickey Mouse' setup with questionable and / or negative results. Other than that, I don't know what you have invested in your sub, but a new one with line outs would certainly cure a few headaches.

Marc
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engrssc

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Re: Connecting a subwoofer

PostSat Dec 15, 2018 11:20 pm

1961TC4ME wrote:Other than that, I don't know what you have invested in your sub, but a new one with line outs would certainly cure a few headaches.


Or a new sound card with more than 2 outputs.

Rgds,
Ed
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ludu

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Re: Connecting a subwoofer

PostSun Dec 16, 2018 7:06 am

Many thanks for so many ideas!
@Iain: during my research, I haven’t noticed the Behringer MX882. It seems such a Swiss Army knife of sound processing programs. Your other proposals are very interesting too.
@Richard, Marc & Ed: my current sound card is this one: http://www.rme-audio.de/en/products/hdspe_aio.php. In the past Martin Dyde wrote to me that this material is excellent.
This is the rear panel of my subwoofer: http://mediaklan.pl/1670-thickbox_default/subwoofer-hi-fi-magnat-monitor-supreme-sub-201a-nowy.jpg.
Luc
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engrssc

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Re: Connecting a subwoofer

PostSun Dec 16, 2018 7:14 am

Looks like you have a stereo headphone connection on your sound card. which could be used to drive the sub.

Rgds,
Ed
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ludu

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Re: Connecting a subwoofer

PostSun Dec 16, 2018 7:18 am

engrssc wrote:Looks like you have a stereo headphone connection on your sound card. which could be used to drive the sub.
Yes, but it’s already used for the rear channels.
Luc
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engrssc

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Re: Connecting a subwoofer

PostSun Dec 16, 2018 8:24 am

How about using the SPDIF Output (192 kHz) thru an adapter such as https://www.ebay.com/itm/Coaxial-Toslink-S-PDIF-Digital-to-Analog-L-R-RCA-Audio-Converter-Adapter-3-5mm/273525045931?hash=item3faf5cfaab:g:MbcAAOSw11Bb86y2:rk:31:pf:0 ?

You have many available outputs (and inputs) on that sound card.

Rgds,
Ed
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ludu

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Re: Connecting a subwoofer

PostSun Dec 16, 2018 9:30 am

You’re right Ed!
That’s probably the first thing to try.
I’ll keep you informed.
Luc
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RichardW

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Re: Connecting a subwoofer

PostSun Dec 16, 2018 4:40 pm

Looking at the card and the sub, what is wrong with two "Y" adaptors to split both the "front" soundcard outputs into two?

The subwoofer could then be connected to, and in parallel with, the front channels.
Richard
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