Step 3: Make the right connections
Channel bass signals from your receiver's sub-out to the subwoofer.
We strongly recommend the above hookup technique, but if your receiver lacks a subwoofer output and your subwoofer has speaker-level inputs, hook up them to your receiver's front right and left speaker terminals, just as you would with the speaker's connections. [Take care not to reverse the plus (+) and minus (-) connections on the subwoofer and receiver.] This hookup method will require doubling up the wires on the receiver's connectors, so you'll wind up with two wires on the red (+) and another two on the black (-) left and right connectors. Alternatively, if your receiver has A and B connectors and you're not using the Bs, go ahead and hook up the sub cable to the B connectors. Just remember to turn on the B speakers, or the sub won't make any sound.
Tip:
If your sub doesn't have a bypass or direct input, raise the sub's variable crossover filter control to its highest setting. That might be somewhere around 150Hz to 200Hz.Warning:
CNET Asia is not responsible for any injuries or equipment problems that may occur during or after you connect your subwoofer. Consult the relevant instruction manuals and warranty information before making any changes to your system's setup.Step 4: Adjust your receiver's setup menu
Configure the receiver's menu to integrate the sub with the rest of the speakers.
To access the subwoofer options, you usually need to enter the speaker-setup menu. Then find the toggle or submenu that lists Subwoofer: On/Off, and select On. (Some receivers use other language such as Subwoofer: Yes/No.) Once engaged, the receiver will route the low-frequency bass effects to the subwoofer when needed.
Also important: Select the size of the satellite (front, center, and surround) speakers. Large doesn't refer merely to the size of the speaker's cabinet; the speaker's woofer size is just as relevant--anything smaller than 6 inches is always considered small. Then again, a lot of satellites with 6-inch woofers still sound better when set to Small. Experiment with movies and music at both settings and see which sounds best to you.
Most--but not all--receivers let you select the crossover point (also called low pass filter) for the subwoofer; that determines the upper frequency limit of sound the receiver sends to the subwoofer. With large satellite speakers, set the crossover to 80Hz or 100Hz; for smaller sats, start with a higher crossover point, 120Hz or even 150Hz.
Tip:
If you've hooked up your subwoofer with speaker wire instead of the interconnect cable we discussed in step 3, set the front speakers to Large. Since the speakers will receive lots of bass, even if they can't reproduce it, they may distort at high volume levels. That's especially true for very small speakers or ones with 4-inch or smaller woofers.Tags: cable, home theater, Monster, performance, manufacturer
