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sek929 · Jul 20, 2009, 01:16 PM

We recently finished off our deck/wheelchair ramp by adding two outdoor 100w speakers mounted under the covered area (pics of this deck coming soon, you will be impressed). The problem is that my father bought an el cheapo 5.1 surround sound system from Best Buy years back, so there are no extra speaker hookups. AIso, just found out there is no 'Line Out' for audio either in the back of the unit. (Which I would have ran into a pre-amp to amplify the outdoor speaks)

Further investigation yielded the discovery that the receiver/DVD unit sends the audio to the Subwoofer, which in turn powers the speakers, via a connector I've never seen before.

Quickly browsing for the model of Surround System didn't help me with my mystery connector at all. All I need to know is the following.

Can I split this connector (or buy a splitter or 'Y' adapter) and run a second audio line to a pre-amp of sorts to handle the amplification and volume of the outside speakers? Right now (just to test if the outdoor speakers work) the extra wires are just jammed in with the regular speakers, meaning it sounds like crap. I'm not looking to spend much at all, but any help is appreciated.

Also, I know I might be using the term preamp incorrectly, but there's a reason I'm asking for help.

Dakar V · Jul 20, 2009, 01:18 PM

First, I need to get some vital info before I can answer your question correctly: Will the system be powering BOSE® speakers?

nonhuman · Jul 20, 2009, 01:20 PM

I'm pretty sure that's just the connector for the subwoofer. (Can Speakers be used from an integrated Panasonic Home Theatre system???)

You apparently need a K1HA25HA0001 cable: Panasonic K1HA25HA0001 Subwoofer Cable, System Cable, 13 ft.

Spheric Harlot · Jul 20, 2009, 01:24 PM

Um, wait.

AFAICS, the DVD/Receiver connects to the sub using the proprietary 23-pin connector.

The regular speakers are then connected to the sub using those pinch-connectors.

Or are you looking to use the sub with a different control unit?

In that case, you need to break out the cable:

http://www.avforums.com/forums/subwo...-sb-wa310.html

sek929 · Jul 20, 2009, 02:00 PM

The control unit and sub are staying, all I need to do is find a way to play music indoor and outdoors from the same head unit. Right now the outdoor speaker wire is jammed in the pinch-connectors with the regular front channel speaker wire.

Sorry if it wasn't clear, but that socket shown in the picture usually has the cable (that nonhuman posted) plugged into it. That cable feeds the sub which then has the pinch-connectors for the main and surround speaks on its rear panel.

sek929 · Jul 20, 2009, 02:05 PM

Originally Posted by Dakar V

First, I need to get some vital info before I can answer your question correctly: Will the system be powering BOSE® speakers?

Nope, they're NuTone brand.

sek929 · Jul 20, 2009, 02:08 PM

Originally Posted by nonhuman

You apparently need a K1HA25HA0001 cable: Panasonic K1HA25HA0001 Subwoofer Cable, System Cable, 13 ft.

That, indeed, is the cable in question. I don't need to buy a new one, the unit still works fine, I'm just baffled on how to obtain the audio signal from this type of connector and split it to a separate amplifier in order to properly power the outdoor speaks.

Laminar · Jul 20, 2009, 02:28 PM

Originally Posted by sek929

That, indeed, is the cable in question. I don't need to buy a new one, the unit still works fine, I'm just baffled on how to obtain the audio signal from this type of connector and split it to a separate amplifier in order to properly power the outdoor speaks.

It's possible that the cable doesn't have any outputs that aren't speaker-level signals, making it hard to adapt for a line-out situation.

sek929 · Jul 20, 2009, 02:37 PM

I suppose I could always find a way to simply modify the pinch-connectors to have two sets of wire inputs and a method of selecting either one, that way the outdoor speakers don't fight with the indoor speakers for wattage.

Shaddim · Jul 20, 2009, 04:32 PM

Looks like some proprietary connector. If you have a friend that's an electronics engineer, he may be able to rig up something for you.

FWIW, no audiophile would buy something like that, it looks very "Bose-like".

Laminar · Jul 20, 2009, 04:43 PM

BUT THE INFOMERCIAL SAID THAT BOSE IS AWESOME. allcaps

Railroader · Jul 20, 2009, 05:54 PM

BIG SOUND, small package.

RAILhead · Jul 20, 2009, 05:57 PM

(that's what she said)

/still got nothin'

sek929 · Jul 20, 2009, 05:59 PM

The general consensus seems to be I'm boned. Even If I could swap out the receiver for one with more outputs it would mean losing the ability to use the sub.

ShortcutToMoncton · Jul 20, 2009, 07:59 PM

Craigslist is.... definitely your friend at the moment

Rumor · Jul 20, 2009, 09:25 PM

Originally Posted by Railroader

BIG SOUND, small package.

Laminar · Jul 21, 2009, 09:39 AM

Originally Posted by sek929

The general consensus seems to be I'm boned. Even If I could swap out the receiver for one with more outputs it would mean losing the ability to use the sub.

You could get a new receiver with some line outs and run those into the old receiver to power just the sub.