THE MOST ILLEGAL WAY IS VIA HEADPHONE OUT! 3.5mm to RCA and simultaneously with REAR of an amp/dac. I did not demo this sorry. ⚔️www.SubscribeStar.com/Zeos -- Subscribe Star 🥇www.Patreon.com/Zeos -- Check out the Patreon 👕www.Zboombox.com -- New MERCH
P.S. Outer Range did NOT suck at the end. amzn.to/39bEMMM I just need Season 2 So badly now. Ignore the comments and review on there. People have way too much hate in their heart. I loved every second of it.
Whoops just Connected my Jensen XR-500 Subwoofer to the Headphone out of my Presonus 2/4 Along with my Swan M200Mkiii+ Speakers the Other Day :) Breakin the Law, Breakin the Law!!
I ever curtailed the Cursing and Weebness a bit in this one. Sorta, Megumin is atop the tower after the second or third cut. Gotta ease them into the full Zeos experience or something will tear.
There is one more option with passive speakers: 1) A signal from DAC to a power amplifier via RCA 2) from the amp's output terminals to the input terminals of the active subwoofer 3) from subwoofer output terminals to speakers Usually, subwoofers with such connection allow you to set the crossover frequency. The advantage of this connection scheme is that speakers don't play the frequences the sub already plays.
I knew all this and still watched the whole thing because I appreciated the quality of your explanation. I once has an rca only sub hooked up using line level converters split off the speakers. More common in car audio though. Also if you're willing to use some car audio tech there are RCA and line level crossovers that could cut the low end from speakers and only send it to subwoofer.
Only one I can think of that won't smoke. if your out put is at a very high level because most car level Inputs will smoke when turned up using a home audio unit usually will be a lot higher out put then any car audio unit. 👍👌✌️🎵🎶💯
this is a useful and informative video, having someone physically display this stuff. but at one point people have to solve all this and think ahead and do things right from the start. in my experience the Minidsp SHD studio let me do anything i want. its a half U unit with digital only input and output. now you can plug in anything to it, use it as preamp, and let you use diy passive subwoofer or speakers, add dac's and poweramps as needed.
hey, i wanna thank you for this video. i'm planning to buy my first speakers when i move out. and i'm eyeing the edifier mr4; it's currently under $70 in my country, and if i've already moved out, i would have borrowed money to buy it lol. but i would like to buy the edifier sub down the line too; but from my research, there's no sub out. so thanks for this public service! i've already saved this vid for the future.
Thanks for your commitment to the time and edit needed for this to be all encompassing. Validated solutions I have implemented and gave me thought for variables I have been hesitant to wire up. Not that I blindly accept Bit Depth and Sample Rate that streaming services profess, but would love to see a recap of hardware that displays both. All hail Zeos.
Great video - This is a really good overview of the options. I had a Matrix Audio Mini I-Pro USB DAC that has a a set of Analog RCA Outputs and XLR Outputs. I ran into the situation where the voltage difference between the 2 outputs (XLR double the voltage) meant that the sub run from the RCAs wouldn't be loud enough even on full gain. Both outputs were volume controlled together but I had to buy some attenuators (15db) for the XLR outputs to bring the satellite speakers to a level that I could control the sub. Matrix Audio Mini I-Pro |------- (via XLR) ------ (XLR Inline Attenuator) ------> Audiolab M-Pwr ---------> Quad L-ite satellites |--------( via RCA) -------> Quad L-ite Sub The Mini I-Pro since went pop, so I switched to a SMSL M3 and RCA splitters. One day I will look into replacing with a DAC with dedicated sub out.
Hey my friend, I'm in the same situation. I have an old DAC/Preamp (TEAC UD-301) that has XLR and RCA outs. I'm using the XLRs for my powered monitors and I want to add a subwoofer using the RCAs. Do you think that I will face the same problem? I wouldn't like to put attenuators... Maybe that depends on the subwoofer's volume levels? I'm thinking of buying the SVS SB-1000
Epic video! Note on the MiniDSP, the new Flex is available now which is an upgraded version that comes in multiple configurations, one being all digital as a NanoDigi replacement.
Thanks for the video Zeos! I had the same idea as far as using splitters coming out of a dac with just rca outpu but wanted to confirm before dropping money on studio monitors. This is the first thing I found after countless searches that confirms the rca splitter option for powered monitors won't cause issues. I have several dac and dac/amps and none of them have more than a single output either rca or aux and really didn't want to have to buy another dac.
This was great, thanks I'm a passive speaker guy at the mo. with an amp that has a subwoofer hole! Happy about that, seems a lot more simple than some of the options here Now to go through your vids to find a good, compact(ish) sub to finish my setup
Great video Z. I did something similar to splitting the Speaker cable but to keep the back of my amp clean I ran a set of banana plugs off of the jumpers on my Klipsch 600M and let the sub “taste” the signal that way. Works great! 👍
You have touched on one of (IMHO) THE MOST neglected aspects of high fidelity sound reproduction -- the introduction of a HIGH PASS filter on the main speakers. Seldom do you hear anyone mention this. This serves many benefits-- the elimination of the low frequency "SLAM" put upon small speakers that can't reproduce that range anyway. This radically decreases cone excursion on the top end speakers and therefore reduces distortion, increases power handling, and improves clarity. Even very modest 2 way speakers sound quality can be radically improved this way. Utilizing a sub with a high pass filter effectively makes the system a 3 way-- but even better. The best way to accomplish this (that I know of) is with a Mini DSP unit-- that's what I use and it's amazing what this thing can do-- completely programable and versatile for a wide variety of functions.
It's also good to know that most modern PC soundcards (including cheap USB 5.1) can be set to output high and low pass through seperate 3.5 sockets. Most have ability to set crossover frequency too. It's not perfect but it works.
Sorry, I'm late to the party. You are a freakin genius. Did not want to buy a studio-powered sub for my JBL 305 monitors Now I can use my more powerful 12-inch Acoustech sub! Thank you🤓
YESSSS Z BROTHER!!!! I know this will help me hook up my Klipsh 10 inch powered subwoofer to my new incoming self powered Swan M500s! TY for this bro! Now I'm gonna watch this! 😁👍
I just moved to a townhouse from a house. Unfinished basement but lots of open usable space. Haven't had to worry about sound and neighbors for a long time. I bought some stands for klipsch fives. Debating on placing them in basement maybe with my sub. Being rental I am thinking of using moving blankets on walls to absorb some sounds. I have some sound panels but the basement is a large area. If that fails then at least I have my headphones with dac amp. Keep up the good content
That’s me, right at the beginning with a basx in to diamond 9.1’s. I made an epic decision when getting my speakers though and picked cherry because I like cherry. If anyone ever sees a cherry sw150 out in the wild in the uk can you please remember this comment!
Holly smokes!! the amount of effort that went into making this subwoofer guide including LIVE DEMO is truly amazing! Please make more such educational videos! Going offtrack here sorry, but is possible to connect two stereo poweramps to an integrated amp and use them as monoblocks? So right RCA signal to one Poweramp and left RCA signal to another. Just wanted to experiment like this instead of getting dedicated monoblocks.
I purchased a Sony Sub (SA-CS9) at an auction, only to realize it's all bare wire connections. I wanted to pair it up with my Edifiers so I think I need to go RCA splitter to bare wire "in" and the bare wire "out" to the eEdifier Line In.
Well my setup is passive so you got to mine pretty quickly. But i still watched the hole video anyways haha. I like Lernering. Really good video by the way. Iv seen other channels try to explain incorporating a sub into your system. However they are veg and you don't really get your answer. Brother you answered questions for me I didn't even know I wanted to ask. I'm not one for powered speakers but iv been wanting to put a powered speaker system in my girls office. Gives me an excuse to try out some Swans. Anyway I always just did the high frequency to my sub. But I now have 2 klipsch R-12SW subs. So 😔 as you already knew I'm limited af on how to hook them up. But they sound great once you do.
I run a Marantz NR1200, 2 channels amp, and it has 2 sub outputs. It has freq cutoff and all fancy bells and whistles. It handles good 2 Klipsch RP-600M and I added a SW-1200. But the option to add a second subwoofer, might be a good one for people that want to demolish their homes.
My current setup is pretty weird.. a mix of a "gaming" headphone amp/dac, a home theater subwoofer, professional studio monitor controller & active studio monitors I have powered studio monitors 2x Adam A3X and an SVS PB-1000 They're both connected to a studio monitor controller (a Behringer Studio XL, previously Mackie Big Knob Studio) That studio monitor controller is connected to my headphone amp/dac line output (Mayflower Arc) which is connected to my PC via USB I sometimes use the Mayflower Arc to connect my IEMs and the Behringer Studio headphone outputs for my headphones.. This is a great example of what happens when you start building an audio setup with no planning ahead.. I started with the headphone amp/dac first because I wanted to power my headphones with something.. Then I decided I want some nice speakers to replace my shitty PC speakers and somehow ended up with powered studio monitors which I must say ARE FUCKING AMAZING, probably my best purchase decision ever when it comes to audio!! At that point I realized I need a subwoofer and after some research SVS turned out to be the best choice. When I bought it I first had it connected via RCA splitters (from my Mayflower Arc) but I didn't like that setup because I couldn't control the sub at my desk, but had to walk to it and crawl down and do it on the volume knob behind.. So after doing some more research the studio monitor controller seemed like the perfect solution, it had many inputs and many line outputs as well as headphone outputs.. I could control each input and output with with a knob from one place and never touch the subwoofer or speaker knobs.. Even though this setup is very weird and unusual it works great and I actually love it.. it sounds amazing and I'm happy with my choices.. basically went from shitty PC desktop speakers to this weird but amazing setup!
I added a pb-1000 pro with my buchardt A700 and it's incredible. I'm running the A700 full range with no high-pass filter and a 80hz crossover on the svs. The A700 bass goes so low it's like having 3 subwoofers in 1 room. All are connected via cxn v2 streamer (A700 via XLR and sub via RCA)
Wait a question, my kef lsx have a sub out with the LFE, does it mean I can output that to a line in RCA or must I find a sub that also have an LFE input? If either work I can still control the volume of the sub with their as the source is still the speaker's LFE right?
I have a dedicated old school two channel setup and a Emotiva XMC-2 AV preamp Emotiva is easy peasy But with my two channel setup l have a OPPO BD 105 Blu-ray Ray player that has a RCA sub out So l use a RCA Y connector to connect to my two SVS Ultra 13 Subs that have the upgraded plates amps with built-in DSP and its all controlled by the SVS APP via smart phone But my Oppo also has built-in DSP ( love my OPPO!) so you can also control the subs with the OPPO
you can make a cable with a resistor for going to single RCA. Then no extra hardware is needed. search for The Stereo-to-Mono Summing Cable That No One Makes
(all of my speakers are passive.) I have a setup in which i use 3 different stereo receivers, i take an amazon echo and have 3.5mm to RCA. The first receiver controls the mids and it gives off two RCA outputs. to control the highs, i have an old toshiba sa-504 (which needs to be recapped). for the lows, i have two subwoofers connected to their own seperate old sony receiver (its too irrelevant for me to remember its name). I normally just buy speakers from goodwill, so whatever it's best at (lows, mids, or highs) i plug it into its respective receiver. I love having my setup this way because the subwoofers just get pure 60Hz, so no extra frequencyies coming out of the subwoofer. Overall, the setup costed me 20 bucks so ya :ok_hand:
Another way for adding a sub to a basic self-powered speaker is to just split the wire going to the passive speaker. It would only cover one channel, but on the other hand you can use the built-in volume.
Steve, a challenge on adding a Sub to a Sonos system. I have seen that they hack an IKEA Symfonisk by disconnecting the speaker and feed it to a sub speaker in. It’s mono anyway.
Amazing work ! Sorry if im mistaken but did you tell somewhere how to connect a dac, vintage amp, passive speakers and an emotiva sub using the rca in and outs with the cut off ! IMO : DAC >RCA> Sub RCA in - Sub RCA out > RCA > Vintage Amp (and the passive speakers as usual). Im considering buying an 8" or 10" from Emotiva for this feature since it easily allows for cutoff withou a modern receiver or changing anything else to my setup (I only need to buy the sub). But I read and heard a few times that RCA used this way should not exceed 8 foot... and I have a fairly big room and just wanted to test out a bunch of locations for the sub... Is it a concern or people are just saying bullshit ?
12:28, can't you use like an 'impedance converter', with like 100K ohm resistors, to go from speaker line to low level rca? Isn't that basically what happens internally in the subwoofer with binding posts anyways? Might be more work then splitting the source tho, but some people swear by passing on the 'amplifier coloring' to the subwoofer...
Hello zeos Could you help me with things that i need to pair the normal iloud speakers with jbl LSR310s because I feel so confused Notes : I will buy everything from amazon My main source is from the PC , no interface
As a newbie, I have a question. Swan active speakers have no sub out. Is it possible to get a DAC, that does limited surround sound processing, with 2.1 or even 3.1 outputs? If they exist, then can you just plug your Swans into it, and use the sub output from the DAC, for a sub?
1 active Sub, 2 Fosi ZA 3's in Monoblock --> Are you able to still use the yellow "sub out" on the ZA3? If so, is the sub only getting base from one channel? Can one sub out from a ZA3 go into the right RCA input on the sub and the other ZA3 sub out to the left RCA in to get both channels?
That MRS10 sub has an active crossover on the outputs (Source to Sub, Sub to fronts), just turn the crossover dial to where you want it. That being said, the MRS10 is definitely not worth the $450 they charge for it. The Monoprice Stage Right 10-Inch Powered Studio Multimedia Subwoofer - (605999) is a MUCH better deal for half the money.
Im using the Topping E50, with self powered Swan M200 speakers, and a sub. I used two RCA splitters, and when only hooking up the speakers they sound great. As soon as I plug in the subwoofer RCA cable the sound out the speakers becomes mono. Any ideas on what is going on?
Klipsch Heritage Inspired Speakers do. I had the Fives and highly recommend them at their current price point. I went ahead and splurged with an upgrade to the Sevens. Why? Because bigger is better. I found myself seeking a subwoofer with the Fives. Which in fact cutoff the lower frequencies when a sub-out is detected. The Sevens and Nines do the same but I’m still on the fence about adding a sub to the Sevens because they slam as is. If I did I would probably add the SVS-SB1000. I wouldn’t be surprised of SVS’s powered speakers do the same thing. Ultimate Wireless is believe is their name. I think the JBL-4309P also does this. I know KEF has a powered speaker as well. Haven’t done any research. I’m a Klipsch guy. Love the Horn sound. I love my highs high up and my lows down low. Klipsch is where it’s at for me.
Maybe you can help me… I have a pair of Edifier S1000W’s that run through my home WiFi and I use Spotify on my phone. I would like to add a sub for more room filling low end thump. I’ve watched several videos but nothing ever explains adding a sub to my particular setup. How would you go about this? Any help and sub suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
P.S. Filthy Casual, legit question I followed your advice on headphones but I want to feel the air move around and want your opinion on a good surround sound setup coming from the old logitech 5.1 system. What else is out there? -- I currently have a Monolith AAA Dacamp but dont know if I can use this to audio out to subwwoofers, or what have you. Please save me money and give me a recommendation?
i have focusrite solo 3rd gen, krk 8" sub, and 2 JBL 305mkii. i wanna change the sub with a starke 15 but i honestly dont know if its possible.... i really don't wanna spend more money on dsp's or other expensive hardware or in general i don't want.
Try adding a Rel subwoofer to self-powered speakers. They make subs super user unfriendly. Very few options to integrate. From my volume controllable DAC, I had to use 2 RCA splitters then use a L/R to mono combine module because the Rel sub only has LFE or 0.1 RCA in or high level in, no analog L/R RCA in. Its was the most jerry-rigged thing ive ever done
I have one of the first Thunderbolt interfaces which only has a clicky main knob that is also a button to switch between the input/output that you're controlling. it only has left and right TRS balanced outs, but it's a 32 bit yadee yahh khz sample rate (the best i could afford for mastering) ...can i use two splitters from TRS to XLR balanced and use like a passive analog soundblaster headphone volume controller into the sub from two of the four splitter connectors, then only ever adjust the clicky knob on my interface or will that affect the clipping and/or gain on the sub different than my gen3 KRKs? Could you point me in the right direction for that outcome of using my interface's (clicky clicky) knob for my monitors and a powered sub (whatever i can find used for cheap) without me ending up buying an expensive monitor controller? Thank you for your time and knowledge in andvance, Z. 🙏
Z, the setup for the speaker passthrough I have banana plugs going to amplifier to speakers. Could I use banana plug splitters (1 male 2 females) to connect a subwoofer? Spitters on amp and subwoofer to connect all necessary wires instead of a combination of bare wire and banana plugs.
So i have a audioengine A5 which has a subwoofer out.. But outputting it out directly to a subs means I'm sending full signal to both the speakers and the subwoofer - so i have speakers trying to do bass and subwoofer trying to do upper frequencies. How can i have lower frequencies going only to the subs and upper frequencies going only to my speakers?
There is a product to consider. It’s the PreSonus Microstation BT $129.99, that can be used to control monitors, powered and advance powered all balanced Sub output. Only caveat is that there is no High pass filter.
Actually two Bluetooth-Speakers and a Sub added to it, could be a solution for someone. Even if the Speakers are rather small, but you don't let/need em do low end, it could work. Maybe not a perfect solution but without wires or less wires it could have a crucial benefit.
There are devices that convert speaker level to line level for car audio and home audio. Or do you think something along those lines would degrade the sound quality?
Those work but I haven't used one for years. I know they don't spit out much in the way of quality audio. But in a pinch with just an RCA sub and Passive setup you want to use it. Something like this amzn.to/3ssskyW only handles 50 watts. Which means it could go boom with most amps.
12:28 You say there is "no way" to get the SVS woofer to work that way...that is false. You can get adapters that convert the speaker output signal to lower-level (line out) signal with 600ohm impedance. They are used heavily in car audio.
Just got s svs sb1000, using a topping mx5. Watched one of your old videos where you used a automotive line level converter for a desktop amp. I bought the same one you use used, but it didn't work. Speaker level input is also very low volume, any advice?
