Using Z5300 Subwoofer + Audioengine A5+

[mokkzzz]

Hi y'all, recently I puchased a pair of audioengine A5+ and I'm just waiting for it to come in the mail. I'm upgrading from an old Logitech Z5300 5.1 system. I don't plan on buying a separate subwoofer anytime soon, but curiosity got me wondering if I could make use of the subwoofer as a 2.1 system.I have an Auzentech Prelude with 7.1 capability.

I know, you're probably wondering why in the world would I ruin such great speakers by pairing it with such a muddy sub, but I enjoy listening to electronic/house music so it'd be nice to have that extra punch.

My plan is to connect the A5+ speakers to the front channel on my sound card. Then ONLY connect the center/subwoofer channel from the subwoofer into the center/subwoofer channel output of the soundcard.

Will this actually work? Is there a better alternative? Below is a picture of the back of the sub. Top 5 outputs are RCA connections to the speaker channels that I won't be using. Bottom 3 inputs, green, black and orange, for front, rear, and center respectively.

http://www.ecoustics.com/electronics/forum/home-theater/252326.jpg

 

[JoeUser]

You can either do it as you said OR (and I recommend this) use a 3.5mm splitter and send the stereo sound directly to the sub.

The problem I see with using the sub/center out on your sound card is getting an actual 2.1 setup in the software and what not. Remember than most 2.1 systems use only a single (stereo) input with the amp actually doing the mixing to the sub.

If you use a splitter you are getting the sound directly to the sub. If you don't you have to configure all your software to not only send out the stereo signal but also a separate LFE channel too...which can be difficult and not compatible with all sources (like games).

So just go Front output on sound card > 3.5mm splitter > cable to A5+ and cable to sub. Should work beatifully without you have to mess with anything software wise.

Alternatively looking at the back of the A5+ you could also use a composite red/white L/R to 3.5mm cable from the audio output on the back of the A5+ to the sub. Might also be able to control the subs volume using just the A5's too!

Alright...that's about all I can think of...it's super late...or super early depending on how you look at it. Hope this helps!

 

[Impulse]

Yeah, those are pretty much your two options, probably worth experimenting with both. Normally you wouldn't want the A5 reproducing the low end but with that sub... I've no idea how the Logitech subs handle crossover. It's probably set pretty high (too high) to make up for the wimpy satellites.

 

[LeninGHOLA]

IIRC, that sub is set up to play up to 150hz

It will sound a bit funny and not be ideal, but Joe's second option would probably be best.

 

[mokkzzz]

Okay, so I guess everyone is rooting for the 3.5mm splitter option?

Although, I'm curious about the alternative option because the A5+ are active speakers, rather than passive satellites. If I directly connect the A5+ to the logitech subwoofer via the 3.5mm/composite red white cable, wouldn't that cause problems? Cause then both devices will be trying to do the mixing? Am I making sense?! I remember someone tried to connect their active speakers to a Z5500 subwoofer and the sub blew up lol.

 

[SirMaster]

Both the A5+ and Logitech subwoofer are active meaning they are meant to receive a line-level input signal. Your sound card is an amplified output signal and generally too hot to properly input to active speakers.

You really should be using a line-out signal or pre-amp outputs.

The other problem I see would be that you don't have any sort of crossover that you can control between your speakers and sub. Your A5+ will try to play every frequency as they are designed to being monitors, and your Logitech subwoofer is probably cut off at 150Hz which is way too high.