Re: Subwoofer <clarification, long>

[dieckeaw@plu.edu]

On Thu, 4 Apr 1996, John Karasaki wrote:

> 
> It sounds like I should try and figure out if the amp that drives the rear
> speakers has a subwoofer output.  If it does, my problem is solved.  If it
> doesn't I should see if my head unit has a sub-out lead?  If that fails,
> replace the rear amp with one that does have a subwoofer out lead?  Comments?

The head will not be able to drive a sub.  Even if the front panel says 
"25 by 4"on it, thats bull.  All head units will do 5 maybe 10 watts MAX 
of clean power.  There is just no way that the tiny power supply in the 
heads can power a CD transport, D/A converter, tuner, preamp, AND amp, 
AND provied 100 watts of power.  There's just no way in such cramped 
quarters.  If your rear amp doesn't have sub outs, get another amp.  From 
your description of the components, you have a descent system.  Clarion 
ranks among my top 4 favorite manufactures of headunits (Alpine, McIntosh, 
Nakamichi, Clarion, not necessarily in that order).  Your best bet is to 
go with the external amp.  Maybe you can trade the rear amp in for a good 
3 channel amp with onboard crossover.  Or trade all the amps in for a 
multichannel amp that'll drive everything.  That is a compromise, but 
it'll clean up the mess of wires, and it will make thing a little more 
consistent.  a/d/s makes a line of great multichanel amps with descent 
onboard crossovers.  Check them out.
HTH,

-Adam