2. speakers
  3. 181144-13598

Passive subwoofer too loud.

Hi,

I have two front speakers rated at 4 ohms and a subwoofer made by the same designer (unknown specs) that should go well with his fronts, but... the subwoofer is laughably loud.

 

The designer recently passed away so I cannot get any support. I am using the same amps to drive the fronts and the subwoofer so it should not be an amp gain issue.

The subwoofer has two 12 inch drivers. Each driver has its own inputs for speaker cable. So I am running one channel of my stereo amp (again sub has its own amp - same kind of amp as fronts) to one woofer on the sub and the other channel to the other woofer on the sub. Is that the issue ? Or,  I am wondering if the sub was internally wired in series when it should have been wired in parallel or vice versa? - Just trying to understand why it is so damned loud when the same guy designed it and knew that the amplifier that I would be using with it is a typical amp - no volume control.

I am so aggravated... hope someone can help.

brjoon1021
koestner
626 posts
 

Check out Schiit Audio. They have a small passive volume control for about $50 that should work fine to lower the signal to the subs.

koestner
626 posts
 

You definitely want something adjustable so you can change the sub output to your liking. If you opt for a preamp with a remote you can change it from your listening position on the fly.

erik_squires
15,766 posts
 

Well, if it IS wired in parallel, you could try re-wiring it in series to reduce the output.

The best way to deal with this is going to be to get a separate amp with it’s own volume control though.


 

brjoon1021 OP
4 posts
 

Thanks Gentlemen,

A note of clarification (if helpful): I do have a separate amplifier for the subwoofer. It is a typical amp not having volume controls (not an integrated amp).

As an alternative solution: I do have a decent to good Onkyo receiver that is not currently being used. It could be the subwoofer amp. Would putting the receiver inline from the preamp via a line level be a good or better solution (not in how "good" a subwoofer amp the receiver may or may not be compared to my current amplifier - probably even trade) but as a solution compared to attenuating.

koestner
626 posts
 

Yes, that would work. If the Onkyo has a remote as most do you're in luck to change the sub level from your listening chair.

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