How to connect a subwoofer to bookshelf speakers having no sub-out

[Rational]

Hello,

Speakers - Hivi Swans D1200 (No sub-out) -> connected to my amp ifi Zen Dac V2 via RCA -> Connected to my PC

My speakers have 2 line, 1 coaxial and 1 optical inputs
ifi zen dac v2 has 1 line input

I want to buy a subwoofer but I don't know how to connect a subwoofer without a sub-out. Any help on how to connect and suggestions for a decent subwoofer would be appreciated, Thanks!

 

[nopiano]

You have active-powered speakers, yes? Then I’m not sure there’s a way to connect a conventional sub.

If you use an amplifier with sub out connection, or a sub that connects across the speaker terminals of your amp, then that’s the usual way. Those don’t apply in your case, however.

Maybe someone else will have a solution, but I can’t think of one.

 

[Gray]

ifi zen dac v2 has 1 line OUTPUT

And that's what you can use (switched to variable on the Zen).
It needs to simultaneously feed both the D1200 and subwoofer line inputs .
You can do that either by using 'Y' splitters or by looping out of the subwoofer (if it has parallel line outputs).

suggestions for a decent subwoofer would be appreciated

Hopefully you'll get some....

 

[Vincent Kars]

I think Gray has a good solution. It will send the full audio signal to both speakers and woofer. I assume the woofer has its own low pass filter. You can't offload the bass from your speakers.

An alternative a product like the MiniDSP FLEX.
It is a DAC so it can replace the ifi but it is also a active crossover. This allows you to direct all bass to the woofer and offload the bass from the speakers.
If needed it can run Dirac as well.

 

[Rational]

Thanks folks for all your answers.

So, If i get this Edifier T5 sub. I would be needing 2 RCA cables and the connection would be like this:

Zen DAC RCA out (1st RCA cable) -> Edifier T5 sub RCA IN (1st RCA cable) -> Edifier T5 sub RCA Out (2nd RCA cable) -> Speakers RCA IN (2nd RCA cable) as shown in the attached file.

And this should work and requires no splitters and whatsoever? and would also feed both my sub and speakers simultaneously?
Please ignore my dumb questions 🙂

 

[Gray]

Thanks folks for all your answers.

So, If i get this Edifier T5 sub. I would be needing 2 RCA cables and the connection would be like this:

Zen DAC RCA out (1st RCA cable) -> Edifier T5 sub RCA IN (1st RCA cable) -> Edifier T5 sub RCA Out (2nd RCA cable) -> Speakers RCA IN (2nd RCA cable) as shown in the attached file.

And this should work and requires no splitters and whatsoever? and would also feed both my sub and speakers simultaneously?
Please ignore my dumb questions 🙂

That's how to do it 👍
Both your main speakers and the sub get a full- frequency signal from your Zen DAC.
The sub uses its own (internal) low pass filter to take what it needs from its line inputs but passes all frequencies from its line outputs to your main speakers.

Once the relative levels and crossover frequency are set to your taste, the overall volume level will be controlled by the Zen's variable output.