I know this will make many of you cringe, but here is my current set-up:

Energy Take 5
non-powered sub
Panasonic RV-65 (with dolby processor) hooked with rca cables to an
Aiwa CX-NMT720 mini system as receiver

The non powered sub is from an old set of cube speakers from Vector Research. The concept is (if you're not familiar with it) you run the left and right to the sub then the sub has inputs for the cubes.

As I said it is non-powered so what is my optimal setup? Should I run the L and R Energys through the sub or directly? Should I hook the non powered sub up to the sub output on the Aiwa?

Does the sub have a built in crossover? If not Option 1 isn't the best way to go.


Option 1:
If it has a crossover run the Energy's from the sub if you are running the L&R Aiwa outputs to the sub.

The only way to run the sub off of the sub output of the Aiwa is if it is a powered output, which is rare. I am guessing the Aiwa has a RCA output, correct?

Be careful as even though you are running the Energy's off the sub it is still using the current supplied by the Aiwa and running a sub and 2 speakers of the main channels could easily overheat your amp or cause the speakers to clip.

Option 2:
If you have some money to spare I would get a power amp for the sub and run it off the sub out on the Aiwa. Then run the Energy's off the L&R channels of the Aiwa.

I don't think that it has a crossover, and yes - it is an RCA connection for the sub.

Here are the stats:

Sub:
8" Linear
6 Ohms
90 Db
28Hz-150Hz
25 Watts Min - 125 Watts Max

Mini-System:
Front - 60W + 60W (50Hz-20kHz THD less than 1%, 6 Ohms)
Surround - 33W + 33W (50Hz-20kHz THD less than 1%, 8 Ohms)
It lists the Sub Output as 1V

So I'm still kinda in the dark as to the optimal hookup for the component pieces I have (sorry to be so dense).

Oh, and here are the specs on the Take 5.


[Edited by CheapBastid on 03-17-01 at 11:09 AM]

If it doesn't have a crossover you are going to be sending the sub a full range signal which isn't going to sound too good, but it will work.

If you hook the sub to the L&R of the Aiwa and connect the Energy's to the sub depending on the configuration inside the sub you may be running a low ohm which will over heat your amp. The best thing to do is try it and feel the amp after a while to make sure it isn't getting too hot. If it isn't you should be OK.


The best coniguration would be:

Run the sub pre-out on the Aiwa to a power amp(or an extra receivers cd input if you have one). Hook the sub to the L&R outputs power amp/receiver like you would have to the Aiwa and connect the Energy's directly to the Aiwa. This will take the load of running the sub off your Aiwa system and will also provide a crossover for the sub from the sub out on the Aiwa.

All this sounds rather confusing, but try to picture it or make a drawing to help.


Also if it does overheat using the first option let us know. You can series the Energy's to the sub and the ohm load will go back up. I will try to explain that if it is needed.