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View Full Version : Powered vs. Non-Powered Subwoofers



JBHuskers
06-21-2010, 08:26 PM
Figured we have some good guys that know their stuff on here. I have a surround system by Pioneer that's about two years old now. The sub that came with it is not powered. Would it sound much better with a powered one?

JBHuskers
06-21-2010, 08:36 PM
And some candidates I'm looking at:

Onkyo ($129.00) - http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-SKW204-Reflex-Powered-Subwoofer/dp/B000HMLP5A/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=aht&qid=1277170215&sr=1-2

Sony ($86.97) - http://www.amazon.com/Sony-SA-W2500-Performance-Line-Subwoofer/dp/B000OL3QTW/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&s=aht&qid=1277170554&sr=1-8

I know there are some real expensive ones out there, but not looking to spend much more than $150. Really leaning towards the Onkyo.

Deuce
06-21-2010, 08:39 PM
It really just depends on how important it is to you I guess. I think as long as you can change the volume and/or frequency response on your sub that its probably fine. The particular sub I have is powered and I can adjust the volume which is important to me b/c how loud the bass is also depends on the source ...so I do a lot of adjusting.

Deuce
06-21-2010, 08:44 PM
http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-10-Inch-Powered-Subwoofer/dp/B000P0528K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1277170962&sr=1-1

This is the one I have...prolly not much difference than the Onkyo

JBHuskers
06-21-2010, 08:48 PM
http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-10-Inch-Powered-Subwoofer/dp/B000P0528K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1277170962&sr=1-1

This is the one I have...prolly not much difference than the Onkyo

Cool, and it's not just a rumble machine? That seems to be a common dislike on cheaper woofers.

Deuce
06-21-2010, 09:02 PM
Cool, and it's not just a rumble machine? That seems to be a common dislike on cheaper woofers.

I've been satisfied with it. The fact that you can control the volume makes a huge difference imo. ...being able to adjust to the source is great.

JBHuskers
06-21-2010, 09:06 PM
I've been satisfied with it. The fact that you can control the volume makes a huge difference imo. ...being able to adjust to the source is great.

Sweet, appreciate the feedback. Looking at the Onkyo, it has that kind of control, and is good with lower frequencies (instead of being a rumble machine like the Sony from the sounds of it). I think once I get a little saved up I'll get the Onkyo. A friend of mine that helped me pick out the surround system I have now has said good things about Onkyo.

Deuce
06-21-2010, 09:14 PM
Ya, I think the Onkyo is a good choice.

JeffHCross
06-21-2010, 09:48 PM
Might as well post about my Christmas present here: http://www.zvoxaudio.com/cgi-bin/item/4005251 :) Loooooovvvvvvvvvvvveeeeeeeeeee

Deuce
06-21-2010, 09:54 PM
Might as well post about my Christmas present here: http://www.zvoxaudio.com/cgi-bin/item/4005251 :) Loooooovvvvvvvvvvvveeeeeeeeeee

Very cool...

oweb26
06-21-2010, 10:09 PM
JB I remember when I worked at Circuit we use to sell that sub but I don't want to give you the wrong info, it was a decent sub for the all in one system it can in, but if I remember correctly it had a terrible rattle once it got to some higher pitch lows and highs (if that makes any sense what so ever), but I will say we absolutely destroyed about three of them just by demonstrating them to customers.

I was going to recommend my sub but I see its still on the high end unless you can pimp the hell out of ebay, I would probably feel more comfortable with the sub Duece recommended I have always been a fan of the PSW series from polk.

oweb26
06-21-2010, 10:10 PM
Might as well post about my Christmas present here: http://www.zvoxaudio.com/cgi-bin/item/4005251 :) Loooooovvvvvvvvvvvveeeeeeeeeee

Pussy real men like to see their electronics. :D

Deuce
06-21-2010, 10:21 PM
JB I remember when I worked at Circuit we use to sell that sub but I don't want to give you the wrong info, it was a decent sub for the all in one system it can in, but if I remember correctly it had a terrible rattle once it got to some higher pitch lows and highs (if that makes any sense what so ever), but I will say we absolutely destroyed about three of them just by demonstrating them to customers.

Ouch...that's not good.

JeffHCross
06-21-2010, 11:02 PM
Pussy real men like to see their electronics. :DLol. I like to see mine too, I just have no room in this 1-bedroom. Having it as a TV stand base is amazingly useful.

The main reason I really love the Zvox is it has this "Phase Cue" tech that enhances the background noise. For movies, this means I can enhance the soundtrack. For HD sports, it means more crowd noise. During the Stanley Cup finals, I had to turn it down just to hear the announcers.

JBHuskers
06-22-2010, 12:13 AM
JB I remember when I worked at Circuit we use to sell that sub but I don't want to give you the wrong info, it was a decent sub for the all in one system it can in, but if I remember correctly it had a terrible rattle once it got to some higher pitch lows and highs (if that makes any sense what so ever), but I will say we absolutely destroyed about three of them just by demonstrating them to customers.

I was going to recommend my sub but I see its still on the high end unless you can pimp the hell out of ebay, I would probably feel more comfortable with the sub Duece recommended I have always been a fan of the PSW series from polk.

I wonder if that was a lower end Onkyo if it was in a set. Hard telling.

JBHuskers
06-22-2010, 06:25 PM
I had a little cash tucked away, decided to get the Onkyo http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-SKW204-R...7170215&sr=1-2

Mainly because the $50 off ends at the end of the month.

JBHuskers
06-28-2010, 05:13 PM
Okay I need some help. My receiver only has +/- speaker wire connection, and my new subwoofer has line input. Is there an adapter or anything I can start with speaker wire to go into the woofer preout which will then go into the line input which is on the woofer?

JBHuskers
06-28-2010, 05:22 PM
Would I have to do this

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31-o61WWgJL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

PLUS

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/313nEmEJDWL._SS500_.jpg

JBHuskers
06-28-2010, 05:26 PM
It looks like I have an RCA audio out on my receiver so maybe I just need the bottom connector?

JBHuskers
06-28-2010, 05:28 PM
Maybe a cheaper converter of speaker wire to rca?

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41vM-rjNrNL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

Deuce
06-28-2010, 06:16 PM
Would I have to do this

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31-o61WWgJL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

PLUS

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/313nEmEJDWL._SS500_.jpg

I would use the above...


Maybe a cheaper converter of speaker wire to rca?

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41vM-rjNrNL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

I've never seen this converter?? Any online reviews?

JBHuskers
06-28-2010, 08:03 PM
Here's what I found at Walmart which is typically for car stereos but it converts speaker outputs to RCA outputs....will give it a whirl

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Scosche+-+4-Channel+Line+Output+Converter+for+Select+Audio+Sys tems/7326431.p?skuId=7326431&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=7326431&ref=06&loc=01&id=1218106684939

Deuce
06-28-2010, 08:06 PM
Here's what I found at Walmart which is typically for car stereos but it converts speaker outputs to RCA outputs....will give it a whirl

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Scosche+-+4-Channel+Line+Output+Converter+for+Select+Audio+Sys tems/7326431.p?
skuId=7326431&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=7326431&ref=06&loc=01&id=1218106684939

Cool, that should work. I still can't believe I've never seen one of those.

JBHuskers
06-28-2010, 08:21 PM
Cool, that should work. I still can't believe I've never seen one of those.

It was in the car stereo isle.....gonna cross my fingers, or go to Radio Shack tomorrow for Plan B. Thanks for the input Deuce (no pun intended :D)

JBHuskers
06-28-2010, 10:59 PM
Got it to work....with just this:

http://www.buy.com/prod/scosche-slc4-speaker-to-rca-four-channel-line-output-converter/q/loc/111/203086394.html

No other cables needed as the RCA cable that came with the woofer worked.