Sub Amplification

[unknownuser]

Hi, I wish to make a home theatre subwoofer and have a couple of questions relating to amplification. Is it possible to use a stereo power amplifier (with crossover) as a power source for my subwoofers, this in lieu of a plate amp like the PE ones? If someone could explain why or why not that would be great.

Also another question I have the opportunity of purchasing a car subwoofer plate amp (again like the PE ones but in 10-15V DC) is it possible to convert from New Zealand power supply of 240V AC to 12V DC and successfully run the amp for home theatre? Are there any other considerations in doing this?

Thanks! I know these questions are random but they have been plaguing my thoughts for some time now.

Clark



(Originally posted by: Clark)

[Paul O]

> Hi, I wish to make a home theatre subwoofer
> and have a couple of questions relating to
> amplification. Is it possible to use a
> stereo power amplifier (with crossover) as a
> power source for my subwoofers, this in lieu
> of a plate amp like the PE ones? If someone
> could explain why or why not that would be
> great.

Certainly is. Look at some of the posts down further and you'll see folks talking about using pro audio amps and active crossovers. This usually results in a thumpin system. It is also possible to use a regular reciever or integrated amp to drive subs, if you have sufficient power for the application. A 100w/ch amp would drive a DVC sub or two 8ohm subs pretty well in a small AV system. It is also possible to bridge the channels of a home amp to get more power if it is 4ohm stable on each channel. It requires a small DIY circuit to invert polarity on 1 input, and then output is accessed across the 2 hot(red) speaker outputs. This can give 3-4 times an individual channels output.

> Also another question I have the opportunity
> of purchasing a car subwoofer plate amp
> (again like the PE ones but in 10-15V DC) is
> it possible to convert from New Zealand
> power supply of 240V AC to 12V DC and
> successfully run the amp for home theatre?
> Are there any other considerations in doing
> this?

It is not likely there is 240v AC anywhere on a car audio plate amp, Aussie or not. It is possible to use a car amp for home theatre, with a big enough DC supply, but the added complexity burns up any $$ advantage quickly.

[unknownuser]

Thanks for that I will look into the first option some more


(Originally posted by: Clark)

[surroundu]

I use the sub out on my denon to go to the CD in on an old JVC stereo receiver. 1 X channel of the JVC powers a 12" Shielded DVC (while the second channel lies dormant, waiting for another 12"). Crossover for LFE is done by the Denon. I have no rumble filter, phase control, auto-on etc. But my subs are strategically placed in the front of the room near the mains, and it works out well. Plus, I have a remote for the amplifier to boot.

Eventually a real amplifier will be purchased, but you should know that a receiver can be made to work out well in a pinch.

> Hi, I wish to make a home theatre subwoofer
> and have a couple of questions relating to
> amplification. Is it possible to use a
> stereo power amplifier (with crossover) as a
> power source for my subwoofers, this in lieu
> of a plate amp like the PE ones? If someone
> could explain why or why not that would be
> great.

> Also another question I have the opportunity
> of purchasing a car subwoofer plate amp
> (again like the PE ones but in 10-15V DC) is
> it possible to convert from New Zealand
> power supply of 240V AC to 12V DC and
> successfully run the amp for home theatre?
> Are there any other considerations in doing
> this?

> Thanks! I know these questions are random
> but they have been plaguing my thoughts for
> some time now.

> Clark