Can I use a car amp with a home theater passive sub?

J

jobzombi

New member
I have this amp:
http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/model-home.pl?mdl=XM2002GTW&LOC=3#/manualsTab

and this sub:
http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/model-home.pl?mdl=SSWSB103&LOC=3#

My av receiver has an active sub-out, so connecting the sub directly yields no sound at all. The sub works as I connected it to another device but I was freaking out until I figured out the issue. The amp is 1200 watts mono or 600W x2 stereo, RMS, I will DEFINITELY not be using this much, but wanted to use the amp to a lesser degree until I can afford a good home active sub. The sub is 165W so I don't intend to boost it any higher than 100W. I'm assuming a I would need an AC/DC converter as the amp is DC, automotive. I would also need to make sure I insulate everything to prevent shock or shorts. Can it be done? I have two of these xplod amps might as well use one until I find a buyer for them.
 
M

Maniac

Member
An adequate AC/DC converter would cost more than this amp... http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-803

Also, that's not going to be a very good sub. Why not skip all that and just get a kit... http://www.parts-express.com/wizards/searchResults.cfm?srchExt=CAT&srchCat=536

mk
 
G

Greg

Member
Yes, it can and has been done, with impressive results. Here's the tricky factors. Yes, you need a power supply. Only a very expensive one will supply enough power AND filter out that b flat 60 cycle hum. Or, you can connect a car battery in parallel with a 12v power supply and the amp, then you can use simply a "wall farmer" power supply, as the battery will supply any heavy power draws by the amp. If you do this, and your getting too much 60 cycle hum, you can add a couple of "electrolytic" capacitors to the circuit, rated at 25v and different capacitance (micro farads) like s...never mind. It is way better to get an active sub, because besides all of this to consider, your car amp's grounding system may seek ground through the shield conductor of your line signal, or not, and be different than your av receiver. This will lead to smoking components, and ruined equipment. You can make it work, but it's an electronic challenge, and you could burn your house down. Good luck!
 
J

James

Active member
It can be done, but it's really not cost effective. Put your amp and sub on Craigslist or eBay and buy a proper powered home-theatre sub for a fraction of the price. Or even get a new receiver that powers a sub. Most modern home receivers are equipped to drive the sub that you already have.

In order for you to make this work, you'll need to get a power supply for it and you'll also have to wire it correctly to match the impedance.
 
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