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Can I Use A Passive Subwoofer with A Receiver

Can I Use A Passive Subwoofer with A Receiver

The definite answer to this question is, “Yes, you can use a passive subwoofer with an AV receiver.”

However, it would be best if you considered a few things before connecting a receiver with a passive subwoofer.

A passive subwoofer, unfortunately, does not have an internal amplifier. It will require an external amplifier to function correctly. Most AV receivers include an internal amplifier that can be used with a passive subwoofer.

However, suppose your receiver does not have this feature. In that case, you will need to purchase an additional amp to use with your passive subwoofer.

Still, Confused? Let this post be your savior. Read it till the end to find out if you can use a passive subwoofer with a receiver or not.

What is an AV Receiver

An AV receiver, also known as an audio/video receiver, is a device that combines the functions of a preamplifier, amplifier, and tuner to create a single unit.

It’s typically used in home theatre systems to power speakers and subwoofers, but it can also be used with a PC or any other audio source.

How to Connect a Passive Subwoofer with an AV Receiver

Connecting a passive subwoofer to an AV receiver is easy. You have to follow these steps to connect a passive subwoofer with an AV receiver:

Step 1: Connecting your Passive Subwoofer to the AVR

The first thing you need to do is connect your passive subwoofer to the AVR. This will involve connecting the speaker wire from your sub to your receiver’s left and proper channels and connecting the ground wire.

Make sure that you connect them correctly, or it may damage your speakers and possibly yourself.

Step 2: Connecting Your Receiver to Your TV or Projector

Once you have connected your speakers to the receiver, connect your source device (i.e., DVD player) to one of the audio inputs on your receiver using an optical cable or HDMI cable.

You can also connect another component such as a Blu-ray player or turntable by using RCA cables for analog devices or digital coaxial cables for digital devices.

Step 3 – Setting up Your Receiver’s Speaker Levels

The next step is setting up how loud each speaker will be when using this setup. Use the volume control on your receiver and adjust each speaker individually until they are all at an equal volume level.

Some receivers may have an auto-calibration option that will help make sure all of the speakers are at an equal volume level automatically.

Passive Subwoofers Vs. Powered (Active) Subwoofers

Active and passive subwoofers are both capable of producing great bass. But there are differences between them that may make one the right choice for you over the other.

Passive Subwoofers

Passive subs don’t have built-in amplifiers, so they need to be connected to an external amp using a speaker wire.

Passives are less expensive than actives and require less power, but they aren’t as powerful and don’t perform well at high volumes.

They’re best suited for home theatre systems with tiny speakers that don’t play loud enough on their own.

Active Subwoofers

Active subwoofers, unlike passive subwoofers, are powered by a built-in amplifier that can be connected to an external amp via speaker wire.

These subs are designed to handle the extremely low frequencies of bass music, but they can’t go very loud. An active sub is good if you want to add sound reinforcement to your home theatre system.

Benefits of Using A Passive Subwoofer with an AV receiver

Passive subwoofers are a great way to get the most out of your home theatre system. Passive subwoofers are powered by an AV receiver and require no internal power source.

This can be very beneficial, especially when it comes to placement options.

More Freedom in Placement

The bigger the passive subwoofer, the better the bass response you’ll get. However, passive subs come in all shapes and sizes and can be placed anywhere in your room because they don’t need to be near an outlet or power cord.

If you’re looking for maximum bass response, place your passive subwoofer near a corner of your room where there’s less wall absorption (the corner will help direct sound waves into other parts of your room).

Suppose you’re looking for a smoother bass response across the entire listening area. Then, place your subwoofer at least two feet away from any walls or corners that aren’t directly behind it (two feet should do it).

Cost-Effective

Another reason for using a passive subwoofer is to get deeper bass from your home theatre system without spending more money on an external amplifier.

An AV receiver or preamplifier typically has enough power to drive one or two passive subwoofers in parallel. If you want more bass, you can add additional passive subs and connect them to form a more extensive array of subs.

Longer Lifespan

A passive subwoofer is far more durable than an active one. Few things can go wrong since a passive subwoofer has no internal components.

A passive subwoofer will last much longer than the average active one because it has no amplifier and doesn’t generate as much heat.

Passive subs have longer lifespans since they don’t have any crossover networks or filters inside of them. If you’ve ever had to replace the internal crossover network on your amp because it failed due to too much wear and tear, then you know how expensive this can be!

Conclusion

Now you know that you can use a passive subwoofer with a receiver without a doubt. Passive subwoofers are simple, cost-effective, and give better sound quality than other types.

These subwoofers also don’t require any external power source. They can be connected to your AV Receiver without hassle. This makes them a popular option for audio enthusiasts who want improved bass without spending much.

We hope the benefits of the passive subwoofer with an AV receiver mentioned above will guide you to select the right subwoofer with an AV receiver.

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