Wiring a sub to the pio SC-07

aljoseph

Hi all: New to the game and don't even have my new receiver yet. However, I'm interested to know how you hook up your receiver to the sub. I don't believe the Pio has a sub out. Polk advises to hook your amp out to the sub and from there to your mains. I'd prefer to use my subs LFE inputs, but what do I connect the receiver end to? I'd appreciate some help as I'm trying to pre-wire things before equipment arrives.

Thanks,

Al

aljoseph

I neglected to mention the sub that I have is the PSW-450. It is powered and has speaker in/out, line in/out and LFE. I guess I have a number of options as to hook up, but I'd like to know how most are doing it and, more specifically, if you have the SC-07 what works best for you.

speakergeek

I'm certain the SC-07 has a sub out. Just get a sub cable and run it from the receiver's sub out to the sub's line in.

danz1906

speakergeek wrote: »

I'm certain the SC-07 has a sub out. Just get a sub cable and run it from the receiver's sub out to the sub's line in.

Yepper, that s all you have to do-Enjoy!

aljoseph

Connection to the sub is to the LFE in rather than the line inputs correct?

Sherardp

Sub cable to preout on the SC-07, works flawlessly. The SC-07 is very easy to install especially over HDMI. Single Cable from Display to SC-07 monitor in, everything else into HDMI inputs. Speakers wired in and you're set. Took me roughly 45 mins and that's with cable management. Enjoy the new toy.

aljoseph

Sheardp: I don't know why I'm having such trouble understanding this. I must be really dumb. Do I use the pre outs (L & R) on the SC-07 to the line in's (L & R) on the sub, or do I use the sub out (single RCA) to the LFE in on the sub?

dpowell

Use the LFE or Subwoofer Out (they are one and the same) from the Amp and run your coax cable to one (usually the Left input) of the sub. The sub probably has L and R inputs which is confusing you. You only need the one cable to make it work since the LFE output on the amp is not stereo.

apphd

I think you want to use the LFE in on the sub to bypass the subs XO and handle all bass management from your AVR. You may need to turn the XO dial on the sub fully to one end or the other, check the manual.

aljoseph

The whole sub thing is confusing to me. My SC-07 has a sub output (single RCA) as well as preamp outputs (L & R). The sub has a single LFE (RCA) input and separate line inputs (L & R). Also, the sub has speaker (L & R) inputs and outputs. I need to find the Subwoofer Connections for Dummies Handbook ;-)))

speakergeek

Now I'm confused...:)

Hilbert

aljoseph wrote: »

The whole sub thing is confusing to me. My SC-07 has a sub output (single RCA) as well as preamp outputs (L & R). The sub has a single LFE (RCA) input and separate line inputs (L & R). Also, the sub has speaker (L & R) inputs and outputs. I need to find the Subwoofer Connections for Dummies Handbook ;-)))

The SIMPLEST way to connect the sub to the receiver is to run 1 RCA cable from the sub output on the receiver, to the LFE input on the sub. This is a perfectly adequate connection method; I use it and my sub sounds fine.

The other stuff, line and speaker inputs and whatnot, have to do with OTHER connection methods which you may safely ignore.

This will probably be a lot less confusing when you have the receiver on the rack and the sub on the floor in front of you, with the manuals in your hand.

aljoseph

Hilbert:

Thank you and thanks to all for your comments and insight.

apphd

aljoseph wrote: »

The whole sub thing is confusing to me. My SC-07 has a sub output (single RCA) as well as preamp outputs (L & R). The sub has a single LFE (RCA) input and separate line inputs (L & R). Also, the sub has speaker (L & R) inputs and outputs. I need to find the Subwoofer Connections for Dummies Handbook ;-)))

From the PSW450 manual:

The Sub/LFE out from your AVR will filter @ the XO point you set in the AVR.

The L/R pre outs from the AVR will be full range signals, which would have freq. too high to ask of the sub. You can use these connected to the L or R line in on the sub, but then you need to use the XO in the sub and adjust the crossover which is variable 60Hz-125Hz for the 450. If you use the LFE out of the AVR with L/R line level inputs on the sub you could be double filtering the signal (AVRs XO and the subs)

Lastly you can use the L and R speaker outputs from the AVR to the L and R speaker level inputs on the sub then the subs L and R speaker level outputs are connected to your front speakers. Again you would use the subs XO and with the 450 you have a switch low pass filter switch that you can limit the signal going to your front speakers coming out of the subs L and R speaker outputs so you are not sending anything above 80 Hz to your front speakers. This would be preferred as most speakers even those that can get down into the 35-40 Hz range sound better to most (but not all) if they are freed from needing to play the real low stuff.

The easiest way for you to get going is to turn the sub "on" in the AVR, set all your other speakers to "small" in the AVR. Run a coax cable from the sub/LFE out of the AVR to the LFE on the sub. Set the XO in the AVR to 80 Hz for all speakers then run the auto cal feature on the AVR. This should give you very good sounding results. Then get your read on and you will find lots of info here and around the internet to help you understand it all.

Then you may want to experiment with the connection type you use and different XO points for your speakers.

BlueFox

I use the front pre-amp out for my sub, PSW-1000. If you use the LFE then you need to set your speakers to small, and let the AVR filter the low freq into the LFE channel. I have all my speakers, LSi15s, set to large, and the pre-outs supply all the low energy necessary for the sub to do its job.

Most of the time I leave the sub turned off, but last night I was rewatching Star Wars Episode 1 with the sub on, and was amazed how well it blended in with the speakers. I also watched Underworld - Revenge of the Lycons and again it worked great.

As others have said, experiment to find what works best for you.

dpowell

Try it both ways. I found that the bass blends best and sounds cleaner on my system using the Line In rather than LFE input on my sub.

aljoseph

Now that I (finally) understand this subject better, I am apt to try a couple of the suggested combinations. This will be after I get through the basic hookup of my equipment which has not yet arrived. My inclination is to start with Polk's #1 recommendation which is to hook the amp (SC-07) speaker out terminals directly to the sub. The only difficulties I see with playing around with multiple connect scenarios is the way in which my equipment is/will be housed. I have cabinets and the like which make getting into the equipment and speaker backs slightly difficult. But, that's a minor annoyance. I really want to thank everyone who has provide input on this thread as it has allowed me to better understand not only the mechanics of the sub hookup options but the subtleties as well.

apphd

aljoseph wrote: »

Now that I (finally) understand this subject better, I am apt to try a couple of the suggested combinations. This will be after I get through the basic hookup of my equipment which has not yet arrived. My inclination is to start with Polk's #1 recommendation which is to hook the amp (SC-07) speaker out terminals directly to the sub. The only difficulties I see with playing around with multiple connect scenarios is the way in which my equipment is/will be housed. I have cabinets and the like which make getting into the equipment and speaker backs slightly difficult. But, that's a minor annoyance. I really want to thank everyone who has provide input on this thread as it has allowed me to better understand not only the mechanics of the sub hookup options but the subtleties as well.

That's the name of the game as there are very few cut and dry right answers to any set up questions. The bottom line is try different things to see what sounds best to YOU in YOUR room with YOUR equipment. If you change a component out for something different, rearrange furniture etc. you may, or may not wish to go back and try some of these same things all over. Because it may have changed things with the results from the first time around. Some people do not care to be bothered or simply do not have the time. To others this is the "fun" part of the hobby.