Sub For Mini-System

[TrevorK]

Alright guys, I need some help. My girlfriend has a mini-system (Sharp I think) she got last year. So, since she likes the bass in my car so much (I have a Perfect 12, nice and tight) I thought I'd get her a nice sub for her mini-system. Problem is, I have no idea if it can use a sub? I check on my Sony mini-system (1 year old too), and couldn't see a place a sub would plug in. So is the sub only able to hook up to a receiver or what?

Thanks
Trevor

 

[ThurzNite]

I bought a Philips mini home theater system that came w/a separate sub. The diff of my sys and hers is that mine had a RCA jack specifically for a sub. Since hers doesn't have one, any ol home theater sub w/speaker level outputs would work. This's how it works:
You run left and right speaker wires to the sub (pretending the sub is like a regular speaker). The amp in the sub will have a crossover that limits it's sound to the lower freq. The sub will have another set of connectors (speaker out) for you to hook up your regular speakers. Some subs will have a high crossover so that all bass will be reproduced by the sub and the mids and uppers by the regular speakers. This's just like a sub/satalite setup for computer speakers.
Hmm...I just realized that I assumed that you didn't know how it's supposed to be set up. Sorry if this offended you.
I think u should look into some $80 Yamaha subs. They sound alright and are low cost. If you want to move up a notch, the Infinity BU-2 subs ($120-$150) are very popular, but have a slight hum when it should be silent.

 

[T2T III]

<< Infinity BU-2 subs ($120-$150) are very popular, but have a slight hum when it should be silent. >>

I'm experiencing this 'hum' at low volumes. It is most apparent when using it with my home theater system and less apparent with music. Basically, during the gaps within a movie, you can hear the hum. The sub I have is the Sony SAWM40 (12&quot;, 120 amp).

ThurzNite explained the connections in what I thought was a very clear manner. Usually, most subs will have the high level inputs so you don't need a dedicated sub output on your receiver. However, I read a review on a $1,400 B&amp;W sub that didn't have the high level inputs - I guess when you get up in that range they feel that they don't have to cater to everyone.

 

[TrevorK]

Actually, that was a GREAT explanation, and exactly what I was hoping somebody would tell me (God she's hard to shop for). Now, the next question is, would most of the low-end subs (I'm actually looking at Yamaha/JBL. You guys in the States get your stuff SO much cheaper) come with a built-in amplifier? If so, does this create any issues?

Thanks
Trevor

 

[TrevorK]

Can anyone explain what will happen if I hook it up like stated above if the sub has a built-in amp?

Thanks
Trevor

 

[ThurzNite]

Almost all subs have built in amps. Take your computer speakers for example. You have to turn them on to get any decently loud volume. If you plug in a pair of speakers that don't have a power switch, you can't get much volume out of them. A better example would be your powered computer speakers versus headphones. Your headphones can't play that loudly even w/the volume bar all the way up (Assuming you use Windows). Your powered speakers have the potential to wake the neighbors. Just remember: if you have to turn them on, they have an amp built in.
Like I said before, almost all subs have built in amps. That's why you have to turn them on. Also, they will have a volume knob on them too, so you can dial in just the right amount of bass (light bass or wake the neighbor bass). In general, higher rms watts means louder and cleaner bass. This isn't always true, but it's an easy number to compare. Don't go by peak wattage. I've seen a car sub have 1000 peak watts, but only 100 watts rms. It played ok.
Check www.ubid.com http://www.ubid.com/cat/1226.asp#3877 Sometimes they have really low priced subs. Also http://www.audioreview.com/ has reviews by users. Good luck.
Jay

 

[laelb]

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[laelb]

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[laelb]

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[prodigy]

Nice post, &quot;laelb&quot;