Can I add 2 more speakers to cd player?

If you purchase a home audio system (cd player and speakers), can you add a third party subwoofer to it to enhance the sound? If so, is it a matter of connecting wires or is it more complicated than that?

• Answer:

  Yes, it is possible. And yes, it is more complex "than that", if you want to make it work right. A subwoofer has to be blended into the existing system properly. This means you have to know the performance characteristics of your existing speakers and find a subwoofer that complements them. The subwoofer may be used with the speakers operating over their full frequency range or you may need to route the existing speaker signals through the highpass filter built into most subwoofers to manage the bass. You have to select a crossover point for the subwoofer that works best with your system. You have to position the subwoofer carefully in the room for it to operate at its best. All speakers interact with the room to some extent, but low-frequency drivers are strongly affected by room geometry and speaker positioning. And finally, you have to match the timbre of the subwoofer with your existing speakers to ensure a transparent crossover from the sub to the main speakers. The manufacturer of your existing speakers may recommend a specific model of subwoofer to match your speakers. Some companies make better subwoofers than other and a good unit will cost a fair amount of money. Some subwoofers are specifically designed as bass extension units for integration with speaker systems, rather than boxes that amplify movie special effects. One manufacturer who does this is REL Acoustics. I use a Linn Sizmik subwoofer with my 'main' stereo system and a PSB SubSonic 5i - a much less expensive speaker - with my more modest home theatre system. A decent manufacturer will provide you with detailed instructions about setting up their subwoofers and integrating them into the rest of your system. This is essential, because a subwoofer that is poorly-matched or poorly-installed will not make for better sound reproduction.