Question about hooking up 2.1

AlienKill

Hello this is my second post and really don't understand much about surround sound systems at all. But I can read reviews and pick which ones are pretty good . I have a Polk Audio 505 sub, 2 Monitor 70's, and a CS2 center speaker. Since I don't have a receiver, for now I just want to hook up my 2 monitor 70's up. I plugged them into the back of the sub (speaker out) but I can't get any sound at all. I tried other speakers (since I dont know what bi-wiring is and could be hooking it up wrong) and still nothing. Like I said not sure what I'm doing. I just found some cheap speaker wire and plugged it in. Do I need special speaker wire or any other tips that could help me get this set up.

The bass works fine using RCA cables from the back of my tv into the back of the sub.

THANKS !!!!

mmadden28

To use the speaker level outs (to your speakers) on a sub you need to have speaker level inputs (from an amp) in use as well. The sub will only have an amp for the sub itself which is not meant to drive external speakers.

You'll need an AV Receiver or an amp to drive the speakers.

AlienKill

I dont have a receiver or an amp. So I can't just plug in speakers to the back of my polk 505 sub and get sound? that sucks. So I should buy a receiver or/and an amp or I'm out of luck?

mmadden28

If you get an AV receiver (AVR), you can connect the RCA Sub Out (or LFE) to the RCA sub in on the sub (or LFE), and the speakers will connect directly to the AVR. The AVR will handle the Crossover (XO) which controls which frequency range that's sent to the sub and which range is sent to the speakers.

I've never used speaker level inputs with a sub myself, but I am pretty sure that is to enable the sub to handle the XO duty either in the absence of a capable AVR or as a preference.

mmadden28

AlienKill wrote: »

So I can't just plug in speakers to the back of my polk 505 sub and get sound?

No.

AlienKill wrote: »

... So I should buy a receiver or/and an amp or I'm out of luck?

Out of Luck? Well, as far as getting the sub alone to power the speakers? Yes.

IMO you should buy a receiver. You can also use a separate amp, but the amp alone would still require a preamp or receiver.

mmadden28

Take a look at the PSW505 Manual Here--(pgs. 7-9) It shows you all the possible ways you can connect it.

Oh yeah--Welcome to Club Polk!!! :cool:

AlienKill

Thanks mmadden28!!! I appreciate the help and making it easy for me to understand.

mmadden28

AlienKill wrote: »

...I tried other speakers (since I dont know what bi-wiring is and could be hooking it up wrong)...

Bi-wiring is essentially connecting 2 sets of speaker wires from your amp or receiver, to your speakers--1 set to the high frequency binding posts (top set) and 1 set to the low frequency posts (bottoms set), and the jumper between the top and bottom posts would need to be removed.

Purpose? It is said that bi-wiring may improve the overall sound, but this is a highly subjective subject. Some hear a difference--Some don't, and may involve more than just bi-wiring alone to notice a difference (such as quality of gear, cables, source material, etc.)

If you're not bi-wiring, then the jumper would need to remain in place.

Here is a diagram from the Monitor 70 Owners Manual about Bi-Wiring. Of course the manual says zip about the purpose. Pretty useless manual IMO.


Bi-Amping is the same basic concept except you're using two separate amps for each high and low section.

mmadden28

AlienKill wrote: »

Thanks mmadden28!!! I appreciate the help and making it easy for me to understand.

No problem. Keep asking questions--there are tons of knowledgeable folks on this board that will get you up to speed and enjoying your setup (and you'll probably end up spending more on the hobby than you ever originally itended to )