Category: Geeks r Us
Hi all. Have a question.
One question:
Most speaker systems that come in a package have built-in subs. However, many of them have a proprietary plug for them, which makes upgrading nearly impossible. My question is do you know if there is a way to upgrade a subwoofer for a package system? A lot of systems, even that are in package configurations have RCA inputs. Most subs I've looked at require this, so in theory, you maybe could upgrade. I guess another way is to cut the wire (from the back of the sub) if the sub uses a wired connection, strip the wire, then you still have the special proprietary plug on the other end. Just wondering. I just purchased a 12-inch theater solutions 500 watt sub from Amazon, it connects via RCA, which I think my receiver should have, if it is at all modern. I know you can return an item, but can you get a refund?
bMy receiver is from 2004 and has RCA sub mono.
Amazon.
If you return the product in the specified length of time, you get a refund less shipping, meaning you'll pay to send it back, plus, if you paid any shipping, you won't get that back depending on the seller.
Now, a guy like you lives on a college campus, and has gotten much help from all the guys that love to play with toys. If your sub don't work, and you aren't up to the taskof switching that plug you got, one of the boys, and even some of the girls, will fix it anyway. Lol
Have fun.
Well, I think it should work. My receiver should have an RCA input. If it doesn't, worse case scenario is that I'll have to cut the wire from the back of the sub, because I tried unscrewing the speaker, but it is very difficult to get into. I'll let you know how I fair.
You can cut, strip and splice wire, blind, sighted, male or female doesn't matter. Not that hard to do and simple tools will do it.
Really? I've never done this and I'm blind. How would one do this?
Depends on the wiring. Most speakers have 2 wires, so you strip the cable back a bit, and you twist them together.
It isn't anything you want to practice, because you might need to return the sub, so if it comes to that, just get someone that knows, and while he or she does it, have them show you how.
Also RadioShack has all kinds of adapters, so check that source as well.
if you know what addaptor you need, skip the shack and by elsewhere. the shack is horibly expensive!
Maybe so, but they have exactly what you want, and they promise it works correctly, or your money back.
true and they do sstand by that. i speak from experience.
I don't even find them expensive. They have sales just like everyone else. I have purchase things from them, and they simply work.
Hi guys,
Thanks for the tips; I shouldn't need any adapters, but if I do, I will definitely keep Radio Shack in mind. They have all sorts of them. As far as stripping wires, what is the best tool to use? Wire strippers?
Thanks.
My sub was supposed to come on Saturday, and for some reason required a signature, and no one was home for it. So, there, FedEx, is going to try again tomorrow. I'll just pick it up from FedEx if my friend isn't home to get and sign the package for me.
they never have sails on the stuff i need at the time!
Strippers work good, but you'll need to practice if you've not used them as I've suggested.
I use my teeth too. Smile. Really good tools for this.
Expensive adapters? At the Rat Shack? I buy things from there all the time, or used to, and never had any kind of a problem. But unlike John here I am a simple kinda man, no fancy stuff.
once you start buying splitters and extention cables and all this, it can get expensive.
i keep all my extra wires. they've come in handy
Well,
Got the sub. My receiver doesn't have RCA outputs, so I cut the wire for the stock sub, and hooked the new one up. It worked for a while, but then the receiver didn't like the fact that a different sub was connected, so it detected a different configuration, shutting itself off. Solution? Get a different receiver! Can't use the other sub now, so will have to get another home theater receiver. I know the one I'm going to get, but just waiting until about April to do it.
are they doing away with RCA sub outs on receivers now ?
i haven't baught a receiver since 2004, and that one has RCA subn out.
Are you sure your splice is correct? Some wires are color coded.
Next, why didn't you get an adapter?
Third, if you get a different recerver and the splice is bad, it will still not work, so now make sure all is correct.
What type of adapter? Also, you just had to cut and strip one wire. The sub worked, but then the receiver protection cut on, turning it off. One end of the wire has an adapter for the sub, so that had to stay in place. I think for this sub to work you have to have speaker wire at both ends, which isn't an option for me. At least, with this receiver. I'm not sure, if other 5.1 receivers have RCA outputs or not, but I think another receiver would work, as long as every port on it has a straight speaker connection.
You already cut the wire, so took the original end off. It was why I suggested an adapter first.
I don't know what type of plug was on the sub when you received it, so can't say exactly, but the adapter would have that kind of female or male plug on one side and the RCA on the other that goes in to your current amp.
When you splice wiring, you have to make sure the new spliced works and has all the contacts.
If your new amp will have the desired input, you'll be fine, just put the original plug back on. You have a short someplace, and that is what is causing your current amp to shut down.
So, after purchasing a new receiver, I got the sub to work with my current one. It hasn't cut off like last time yet.
I thought about that some. The ground wire may not have been connected correctly, but you got it going, so.
Yeah, I thought it might have been a loose wire or something. I actually have the new receiver now and am using the RCA connections. The new receiver sounds better than the old, so I'll be hanging on to it after all.
Nice deal. Enjoy that.