Connecting A Subwoofer To A Vintage HiFi Stereo! This Is A Game Changer!

In this video we go over 3 different ways to connect a vintage amplifier/receiver to a powered subwoofer.

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Recommended Subwoofers with high level speaker inputs

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[Brazill]

Thank God. Finally a solution that caters to absolutely everyone....so many videos that offer this then go on to tell you "it only applies if
Great video. Subscribed. The end

[markpanek]

The best tutorial on the internet regarding this topic! From the meter to the hookup, VERY well done, thank you!

[angelakozak]

Thanks for this video - I have run into all of the scenarios you discussed in connecting subwoofers to a variety of vintage (and not-so vintage) home and car equipment. I'm a little embarrassed to say that I never thought to check the load with an ohm meter, as you did, by splicing the wires from the subwoofer and speaker. I really enjoy your low-key and informative style - please keep 'em coming!

[pedrofernandez]

Originally I was using my vintage receiver minus the sub, but on some songs I could "feel" something lacking in the lower range. Adding a small sub at 50hz has taken care of that.

[jorgesifuentes]

Waited three years to actually see it, when you have to use the "pre out".
Tnx
An hour later got it all working and sounding beautifully.
Again thanks a mill.

[vespa]

another great video Kevin. I just got a sub. I have it hooked up to the "B" speaker outputs so I can easily switch it in & out to compare the difference in frequency response & set the gain level

[lepod]

I'd never had a subwoofer, but I found my new 20 watt valve amp just didn't have enough bass so I bought a second hand Velodyne and I was blown away by how well it worked. Very useful video, thanks.

[RHJ]

Looks like all these connections will work, nice. The drawback might be that the sub crossover is not limiting the bass to the little main speakers? Thanks for the vid.

[Nightrelic]

I never thought I would want a sub, but I won one in an auction lot and needed to test it to sell it. Most stuff I don't feel a need for it, but for bass heavy stuff like Funk and Disco, it added an extra oomph for parties I liked. I ended up keeping it. I just connected it to my B speaker jacks. It was great to find out I can just add another pair of speakers to it without a problem.

[johnkuykendall]

I bought a little line level converter from my local car audio store. The owner had never heard of using one for adding a sub to a vintage receiver. If you get one like this kicker with the attenuation pots, definitely start from the bottom and work you way up. I found on the one I bought that all the way "up" was full pass through. They ended up about 5% up from 0.

[donnystrife]

A lot of newer subs don't have the speaker level input. I use a similar adaptor in my system. It sounds better using the speaker out to an adaptor than a sub out. Even when using modern gear.

[richardjacobs]

Glad I found your channel. I have been out of the loop for hifi for a long time. Recently got reacquainted with my equipment enjoying listening and following again. Thanks for the info!

[montanalou]

I just learned how to do scenario #2 on Sunday by a young election. As always, I greatly appreciate you hardwork.

[karen]

those type of thumbs are perfect for hitch hiking

[billhunt]

I used your solution 1. My bookshelf loudspeakers now sound more balanced being fed the full range output of the receiver. My receiver serves as a power amp for the stereo DAC, so the “point one” of the 5.1 feature of its sub out wouldn’t be missed anyway. As you showed, the hi level inputs of the subwoofer connected with the wire to the speakers worked perfectly. Thanks.

[blackswann]

Thank you so much! My rig (Pioneer SX-650) sounds awesome with my subwoofer. Excellent vid and easy to follow. This video answered my questions!

[sethduffey]

Thx man.. Good stuff.. Nice to see a demo of what was tumbling in my mind

[CarlosAnglada]

Yes - I've actually used #3 - it's not super sleek, but it does work! Good job!

[flewidful]

Very informative video and worked like a charm. I just hooked up the Kicker converter to my Onkyo TX 1500 and my humble 2.1 system sounds incredible. Been watching your videos for quite some time. Thanks for the entertainment and the knowledge.

[rocketsredglare]

Hi Kevin,
Thanks for making this video, After watching I stopped using the preouts on my Marantz 2275 to my 2 Infinity BU-1's & used the High level inputs instead & used the High Level outputs of the subs to my Shure SR112W's, What a audible improvement! I thought the RCA inputs were the better method to use instead of the High levels, The y adapter on the main in & pre outs was also very enlightening, Love your videos and straight forward presentation style, Nice thumbs