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AUDIO FORUMS >> General Discussion and Support >> Powered Subwoofer To Speaker Terminal Diagram
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Message started by HockessinKid on 07/30/25 at 13:17:20

Title: Powered Subwoofer To Speaker Terminal Diagram
Post by HockessinKid on 07/30/25 at 13:17:20

Tried to do a search on the forum for this diagram and came up empty. Could someone post a diagram of how to properly hook up a powered subwoofer to an amplifier speaker terminals please. I'm trying out one of Mark's Vera-Fi Caldera 10 subwoofers with my Caintuck Audio Lii 15 open baffles. Thanks in advance.

HK

Title: Re: Powered Subwoofer To Speaker Terminal Diagram
Post by ScottNC on 07/30/25 at 13:46:43

REL has a tutorial on their website that is good, not sure it will be helpful to you or not but worth a look.

Title: Re: Powered Subwoofer To Speaker Terminal Diagram
Post by Ghostship on 07/30/25 at 14:37:02

And remember to follow the instructions for Balanced Differential amps first, because Decware amps float the ground, then only attach the ground wire if the sub is getting hum.

Title: Re: Powered Subwoofer To Speaker Terminal Diagram
Post by HockessinKid on 07/30/25 at 16:36:18

Thanks for the suggestions. The REL powered subwoofer plate amps are designed differently than the Caldera 10. The tutorial videos were not of much help. Still looking for a diagram if someone can post it. Thanks.

HK

Title: Re: Powered Subwoofer To Speaker Terminal Diagram
Post by ScottNC on 07/30/25 at 20:01:32

Last time I called REL direct I got excellent service.
510-990-6005

Title: Re: Powered Subwoofer To Speaker Terminal Diagram
Post by mrchipster on 07/31/25 at 00:22:52

I've used a powered sub in the past but don't currently use one. However, when I did, I used the high-level inputs. (the sub didn't have a line-in). I just connected another set of speaker wires to the same polarity sub high-level input binding posts. I was able to use a set of banana plugs from the amp 5-way binding posts to the speaker and a spade connector (from the amp) to the sub. I've also used bare wire from connector to connector on both the speaker and sub as well. Any combo will work. I see you have a CSP3-25. If it has stereo line out's you could connect that instead of the high-level speaker connections. I feel the high-level connections are better but the line-out may work great as well. Based on the picture you provided, I think you could actually run one set of speaker wires from the amp to the sub and then use the high-level outs on the sub to connect to the speaker if you're able to locate the sub near the speaker. This would minimize the additional speaker cable needed. In a similar way, you could route the initial speaker cable to the speaker first and then jumper it to the sub input. Either way should work fine. Again, I used two sets of speaker wires to connect the speakers and subs in a parallel fashion from the amp 5-way binding posts to their corresponding polarity terminals on the respective terminals of both the speaker and sub. This could be costly if you use high-end cables which is why I mention maybe using a shorter run to 'jumper' so to speak from the speaker to the sub if placement allows and it makes sense. It really shouldn't hurt anything to give it a try.

Anyway, good luck, and I hope you have success.

Title: Re: Powered Subwoofer To Speaker Terminal Diagram
Post by HockessinKid on 07/31/25 at 12:59:53

Thank you all for the input. I connected the subwoofer via banana terminated Mogami 3013 cables from my speaker terminals to the high level subwoofer inputs. Everything is sounding very good and blending well with my open baffles. Power cable is plugged into an AC line separate from my source equipment and amplifier with a Vera-Fi Main Stream Master Class line conditioner. I'll likely upgrade the stock power cable in the near future.

I'll let the drivers loosen up before adjusting the position, volume and crossover to find the best sound. Very impressive $200 subwoofer for sure. Thanks again the the assistance.

HK