adding subwoofer -- must I change the speaker "guts"?

[bdsjake]

I have a simple two speaker setup on my cab, took out the pcb with volume control, "guts" in one speaker to use.  I really need to upgrade the sound system, add a subwoofer.  But I've got the speaker guts mounted the way I like.  Can I somehow just add a subwoofer, or must I use the new "guts" from that setup?

thanks,

[grafixmonkey]

I've run two speaker line-inputs from one line output before, it seems to work ok.  I don't think it does any damage to anything, but I wouldn't know if it was gradually killing the line out over a period of years or something.

Just split your audio input wire between your existing speakers and a standalone subwoofer, or if you can't find a standalone subwoofer, find a speaker set that has a subwoofer in it and disconnect the satellite speakers.

Some standalone subwoofers will also take speaker-level signals and pass them through, taking its portion of the audio from those.  Mine works this way.  You'd plug your speaker wires into the sub, then plug your sub's speaker outs into your speakers.  I have one that works this way.  (my particular sub couldn't go inside an arcade cab though.  Too big, and too magnetic - would probably wipe a PC's hard drive within two feet of the box.   )

Look for an audio hardware store that sells decent stuff for home theater, and not just computers.

[bdsjake]

thanks, sounds like I just need to experiment a little...

[BobA]

Many cheaper 3 piece PC speaker systems have the signal separation built in and sort of work as a set.   You may find that a new PC setup with a subwoofer is cheaper then a self powered subwoofer.

If you got a 3 speaker PC system you could separate use the 2 speakers you have and connect them to the 3 piece amp signal board so you would not have to mount those 2 speakers again.   If that board is build into the woofer then it is quite simple.   If built into one of the other speakers it could get a little more complicated to mount the new amp.

BobA