Connect sub to old setup

[Bodybenji]

I have an old stereo setup with no subwoofer port, i just got an old active subwoofer (see pictures)

 

Would i be able to use my DAC to feed the subwoofer, i use optical from my screen to the dac, then aux to the old stereo, i can use RCA to LFE to the sub right, or would this mess things up?

[BuzzingBee]

You can try using RCA Y-connector if your DAC can output aux and RCA at the same time. It'll get it working.

 

Some potential issues I see are:

- Bass may be overkill as there's no bass crossover, but maybe you'll like more bass. 

- Get volume to align together. Your old amp would only control your main speaker and for your sub would be that knob at the back. 

[Heats with Nvidia]

You have a problem. This subwoofer doesn`t have any crossover. There also is none for the other speakers. With your current setup, the subwoofer will produce sound, but since you can`t adjust it in any other way than volume, you can`t match it with the rest of the system. The result will be really bad sound, most probably even worse than without the subwoofer.

[BuzzingBee]

Actually none of us know what speakers you're using. If you're using satellite speakers it can help fill out missing bass. 

 

But if it's bookshelf/tower speakers and the bass is too excessive I do see one potential fix: use that graphic equalizer below your amp for your subwoofer. Try leaving 63Hz at 0dB, 160Hz at -6dB then the rest at -12dB.

[Psittac]

On 9/18/2022 at 12:19 AM, Heats with Nvidia said:

You have a problem. This subwoofer doesn`t have any crossover. There also is none for the other speakers. With your current setup, the subwoofer will produce sound, but since you can`t adjust it in any other way than volume, you can`t match it with the rest of the system. The result will be really bad sound, most probably even worse than without the subwoofer.

 

On 9/17/2022 at 7:48 PM, BuzzingBee said:

You can try using RCA Y-connector if your DAC can output aux and RCA at the same time. It'll get it working.

 

Some potential issues I see are:

- Bass may be overkill as there's no bass crossover, but maybe you'll like more bass. 

- Get volume to align together. Your old amp would only control your main speaker and for your sub would be that knob at the back. 

My best guess is that it's a subwoofer made to be plug and play, it might have a static built-in crossover. At which point some sort of aux to RCA cable might work. That or it is from a ht in a box that has a sub out and xover is in the stereo.