using old HTIB sub on new receiver

shadowmonk

I recently acquired a Denon AVR-3805 and two Monitor 70s with a CS2 to begin replacing an old HTIB setup. I love the overall better sound quality but I do miss the lower end a bit. As I do not currently have the funds to purchase a new subwoofer I was wondering if I would be able to hook up the old subwoofer. The sub that was with the HTIB is an unpowered 200W sub (received the power from the old receiver), the AVR-3805 only has a subwoofer pre-out, does this mean that I would have to wait until I get the funds to purchase a powered sub?

My other option is that I do have subwoofers from a car that was totaled recently (2 @ 10"), so they are not being used and are under consideration of being sold. I've considered purchasing a HT subwoofer amplifier and building a sealed box for them (I'd love to experiment with something like the Epik parallel drive setup if I went this route). I assume there would be little difference between car and HT subwoofers, but I could be wrong. Would anyone recommend this option? If so I would like direction on a recommended place to direct further questions to, unless someone here has experience in this area.

apphd

Welcome to CP shadowmonk. For your first question, yes, with the Denon's Sub out you will need a powered sub, or an amp to power a passive sub.

For your second question, others have done what you consider. I'm not up on auto equipment, but I think many are 2 ohm speakers, and you would need to invest in an amp that can handle the load. So make sure you know what you have for drivers, and make sure you know what you are buying for an amp. With that said I don't think it would yield the best results.

I'm a little surprised that the 70's fall short of the HTIB sub. Your recent acquisition is a very nice step up, as you are hearing. My advice would be to save up, and start researching what makes are available and in what price ranges. Check out Elemental Designs A2-300 http://www.edesignaudio.com/product_info.php?cPath=2_41&products_id=407

BIC Acoustech http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&q=bic+h-100&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=8571809162717504528&sa=X&ei=QTjLTbbQF6eJ0QGNtfWXCQ&ved=0CB8Q8wIwAA&biw=1003&bih=592#

Or keep an eye on Newegg for when these are in stock. They are consistently recommended as a top bang for the buck sub.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290130

You said you were thinking about building a sub box, so it sounds like you could handle this. Parts Express Titanic http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-760

For an average size room there are plenty to choose from. If you have a large area and/or are a big base head you may want to look to HSU, SVS, eD, Epik, Seaton Sound.

cnh

shadowmonk wrote: »

I recently acquired a Denon AVR-3805 and two Monitor 70s with a CS2 to begin replacing an old HTIB setup. I love the overall better sound quality but I do miss the lower end a bit. As I do not currently have the funds to purchase a new subwoofer I was wondering if I would be able to hook up the old subwoofer. The sub that was with the HTIB is an unpowered 200W sub (received the power from the old receiver), the AVR-3805 only has a subwoofer pre-out, does this mean that I would have to wait until I get the funds to purchase a powered sub?

My other option is that I do have subwoofers from a car that was totaled recently (2 @ 10"), so they are not being used and are under consideration of being sold. I've considered purchasing a HT subwoofer amplifier and building a sealed box for them (I'd love to experiment with something like the Epik parallel drive setup if I went this route). I assume there would be little difference between car and HT subwoofers, but I could be wrong. Would anyone recommend this option? If so I would like direction on a recommended place to direct further questions to, unless someone here has experience in this area.

How was the old sub connected to the receiver? Was it through some kind of 'harness' or was it a simple L/R speaker wire connection. Because if it was the latter you can just use the B channel of your Denon to power the sub for now and the A channel for the L/R front speakers? You would then run A & B channels together....but limit your surround to 5.1 since you are taking up another two channels for your sub.

If it had some kind of goofie harness that won't work. The other thing you MUST check is to make sure that the sub's impedance is 6 or 8 ohms because the Denon will not do well with lower impedances and you might damage something. That kind of info is usually somewhere on the sub or on the connect on the old receiver that powered the sub!

Eventually, though, you will need to step up and buy a new sub.

cnh

shadowmonk

@apphd: The car subs are either 4 or 8 ohm, I'd have to check the full product number listed on the sub but I haven't wanted to open the box yet. I wouldn't say the 70s fall short, they do have some bass but it just feels like it's missing depth. I think I read that the 70s can be a little on the bright side and that might be what I'm noticing more than a lack of bass.

I did do a pseudo side-by-side where I played an electronica radio station from my Dish into both receivers and the bass sounds similar in capabilities but the old HTIB sounds more complete (if that makes any sense). I want to try it again but spend more time actively listening and try and get a better sense of what it is I feel I'm missing from the new setup as opposed to the old. I think it is just that the system is brighter than before, but that may tone down after a few weeks of break-in time.

I've been looking into the Epik line, it's gotten some real good reviews, but so has everyone else you've mentioned. It's all going to boil down at this point to what I can get an incredible deal on that's also below about $500, I don't want to spend more on the sub than the entire rest of my setup was (hence experimenting w/ building one). I'm not looking for an end-all system, just something that will make listening to music and watching movies more enjoyable.

@cnh: it was hooked up through a L/R wire connection. I thought about running it from the B channel, but I was afraid that since it doesn't have any sort of low-pass filter I didn't want to throw high frequencies at the subwoofer. The old sub is only a tiny 8" subwoofer in a cheap (1/4" to 1/2" MDF) ported box. If it won't harm anything I may plug it in just for kicks and see if it helps round things out, but I may not even bother anymore.