Stereo speaker set up questions.

Can a stereo speaker be used as a subwoofer?

• i'm cheap, yes. i have a stereo hooked up to a surround receiver. i have bi-amp capable stereo speakers and another set of regular stereo speakers, those ones im not using. if i connected a cable from subwoofer pre-out on the surround receiver and plugged it into a stereo receiver and only connected the subwoofer wires into that receiver, would they work as two subs? and then i could use the other stereo speakers for fronts?

• Answer:

  Your question is a little confusing. If you are asking if you can use the stereo receiver an a subwoofer amplifier then the answer is yes. Just connect the subwoofer preamp output of the surround receiver through a Y connector and connect it to the left/right Aux input of the stereo receiver. Then connect your subwoofers to the speaker outputs of the stereo receiver. Just make sure you pay attention to the impedance of the subwoofers you are using and make sure the impedance is not lower than the minimum impedance rating of the amplifier. If you are asking if regular stereo speakers can be used as subwoofers then the answer is probably not. If these are very very large stereo speaker capable of substantial bass on their own then yes you can use them as subwoofers, probably not the best of subwoofers but still subwoofers. If they are just regular stereo speakers then connecting them to a subwoofer output will not magically give them low bass capability. If you are "cheap", try DIY speaker building starting with some of the "Buy Out" deals or other low cost options from Parts Express. Try some cheap subs like this... http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=299-085 You have to build boxes for them but you might find this to be fun and and eventually work your way up to building top notch speakers better than anything you could buy ready made. mk