You already mounted the subs, so I wouldn't switch to a powered.

Worst possible case, get a simple amp and go from the sub out to that new amp for the subs.

You don't have to get an amp specific to subs, because the sub-out on your receiver will already cut the highs.

I think you're right, Rob.

Rob Channell suggested something like this: Amazon.com: Dayton Audio SA70 70W Subwoofer Amplifier: Electronics

Would I connect this to the sub-out on the receiver?

Yes. A separate sub amp is a better solution than trying to run subs from your surround spkr out anyways. A few posters may have suggested this already. ;)

Yes, they sure did :)

But, I don't see how this connects to the single RCA subwoofer out connection on my receiver?

That would work fine with a splitter, basically just put the output to left and right.

The Dayton would work well to build in, or you could do something like this and just stack it.
Amazon.com: AudioSource AMP-100 Stereo Power Amplifier: Home Audio & Theater

Either way would work fine.

If you could come across a power amp with just an on/off button, even better than having the 2nd volume control.

Fixed it for you. :p

Seriously, as previously mentioned, a separate sub amp is probably your best option.
However, the amp that Rob C posted is a plate amp, meant to be installed in an enclosed sub. AFAIK, your subs are ceiling-mounted "free air" with no enclosure at all. So, that plate amp is less than ideal.

A simple, stand-alone, 2-ch. amp is the way to go. If you are still looking to get it done on the cheap, something like this should suffice: Amazon.com: AudioSource AMP-100 Stereo Power Amplifier (refurbished option for $75).

There are tons of choices out there, with a wide price-point spread. Good luck.


EDIT: LOL, the Llama nailed it as well.

a single Male/Male RCA cable.

Yep, it's a physics thing. Sub frequencies below 120hz are essentially omnidirectional and have no stereo image. A single cable will feed the mono sub amp and the L/R input connectors are there for convenience only. If we looked at the amp schematic we would see L/R inputs summed together just inside the case. Sub is a mono signal even if you run two or more amps.

Heeeeeeee's back :)

So, I broke down and bought the AudioSource Amp 100. I have everything hooked up. The stereo speakers are working and sounding good, connected to my receiver.

I connected the dual subwoofers to the Amp 100. (I verified that the subs work and the wiring is good by connecting them to the Left channel of the receiver. Work great)

I connected an RCA-RCA cable between the Receiver (Sub Pre Out) to the Amp 100 (Line 2 In Left). This is what the Amp 100 manual says to do.

I get nothing to the subwoofers. I tried all the various modes in the receiver, and made sure that Sub was set to On. I have the L/R channels set to Large. I tried all the various combos/settings but still nothing. I tried connecting to the receiver to the Line 1 In on the Amp 100, too, but still nothing.

The Amp 100 manual says to connect to the receiver's Pre-Amp or Receiver Line Out. I don't have those. Only the sub out.

Any ideas before I take my 12 gauge to the ceiling?

While I'm far from expert when it comes to today's stereos, if I were facing this problem in my own garage I think I'd be looking at the 'source' of the sound I'm trying to listen to. ie does the sub out only work when the 'source' is a 5.1?
I don't think my sub out works in plain old 'stereo' mode, but I could be wrong.
I envy you in that you have a tv hooked up so you can use your on screen menus. My receiver is almost useless in my garage because it doesn't 'communicate' to the user without a tv hooked up. =:>(

Scott, I'm under the impression that the sub should work even with simple 2 channel stereo input.

I do have a TV hooked up, but haven't used it for setting up the receiver. Just using the remote and the display on the receiver.

OK, so I decided to try an experiment in an attempt to isolate the subs only.

I disconnected the 4 speakers hooked up to the L/R speaker connections on the receiver.

I tested the 2 subs by connecting them to L/R on the receiver. They both work. All good.

I connected the 2 subs back into the Amp 100, and left the 4 normal speakers disconnected. So now, theoretically, I should only get to listen to the subs.

BTW, I'm listening to an iPod connected to the CD L/R line inputs for all of this.

On the AVS forum, they suggest setting the sub channel level to -5db and the Xover to 80.

So, I set the channel level to +15db and the Xover to 200. I now get to hear something! But, the volume on both the receiver and the Amp 100 have to be cranked ALL the way up before I get anything, and even then, its not that impressive. And.... only one sub is working, so now I know I need to have a RCA splitter and connect to the Amp 100s L and R inputs. So, I learned something there.

Maybe Scott is onto something and my iPod won't really provide any subwoofer output? Maybe to hear the subs I need to have a 5.1 encoded DVD or an HDTV stream?

Next, I'll try a DVD to see if that makes a difference.

Tried other input sources and no difference.

I connected a biga$$ 12" Energy powered subwoofer as an experiment. It booms like crazy.

So, I guess the Amp 100 is not really putting power to the subs.

Pretty much ready to abandon this whole experiment and just stick with my 4 speakers. The subs are cut into the ceiling already, so guess they'll just be decoration :)

What was different when you hooked up the 12"vs the Amp 100?
All things being equal, I'd say you might just have a 'speaker' problem with the subs in the ceiling vs an input output problem.
Have you actually ever heard the subs you have in the ceiling pump out the kind of sound you expect from them? ie do you know they are able to give the desired sound?

Just skimmed the last portion of this thread quickly, but my pre-amp is like this. I rarely throw a sub into the mix (I'm mostly music 2-channel, don't need it), but in order to do so, I must switch the pre-amp setting to something like "club" or "hall", etc. Maybe not your issue though...