Using an external sub with Edifier R1280DB (DIY Desk audio setup)

[adonimac]

So a while ago I got the Edifier 1280DB set on sale and they're really nice. Currently I have them connected via optical to my PC for when Im playing games - then connected via bluetooth to my Apple TV for watching films (I have a projector that the Apple TV is plugged in to but its on the other side of the room), and lastly I have my monitor plugged into the aux jack on the speakers for when I have my switch playing on my monitor.

I recently saw a listing for a second hand Polk PSW10 subwoofer that I was interested in as the Edifiers lack a bit of bass compared to what I would like. I saw a video on YouTube where this sub was connected to the edifiers with an aux splitter (one goes to the edifier speakers and one to the sub). I don't really like this approach as I would like to be able to use the sub with all of my current inputs (ie the optical, bluetooth, and aux).

I really don't know much about audio hardware but is there some sort of budget receiver available that allows me to output to the sub and edifier and maintain all of my current inputs? (bluetooth and aux at a minimum)

Thanks for any help

(PS I have the Edifier R1280DB not the DBS so there's no dedicated sub port )

 

[goldfritter]

Hmm, this is tricky. The short answer is, not really; whatever you'd use as a receiver would have to bypass the Edifiers' receiver which means you'd be building an overly complex solution to a relatively simple problem.

So basically you'd need something that has all three of BT, optical, and AUX in, and then AUX out to go into a splitter into the Edifiers and the PSW10.

I'd say you have two much easier options.

One is to sell the current set of Edifiers, let the PSW10 go, and buy the Edifiers that actually come with a sub, the S351DB. This would probably be a very simple plug and play replacement for your current speakers (just confirm the inputs). They're on sale for R 4999 but I think they were in sale for under R 4k at HiFi Corporation not long ago.

The other option is to sell the Edifiers, buy a cheapie 2.1 amp (this one has Bluetooth: Takealot) and then get passive bookshelf speakers and the PSW10. You could also look at getting a used integrated amp or even an old AV receiver and just getting a BT adapter for it. See the classifieds on AVForums.co.za for used deals on this sort of kit.

 

[CarboVan]

Hmm, this is tricky. The short answer is, not really;

No man
Simply splice/split your one speaker output, to the subwoofer input.
Just need to make sure the sub can accept high-level inputs (and that it's an active sub - thus self powered)

 

[goldfritter]

No man
Simply splice/split your one speaker output, to the subwoofer input.
Just need to make sure the sub can accept high-level inputs (and that it's an active sub - thus self powered)

If the Edifiers are like mine, they have proprietary speaker cable connectors, they don't use normal speaker cables. So splicing is quite difficult, you'd need to strip off insulation from the proprietary cable and figure out the pinout (mine has six pins).

 

[adonimac]

Hmm, this is tricky. The short answer is, not really; whatever you'd use as a receiver would have to bypass the Edifiers' receiver which means you'd be building an overly complex solution to a relatively simple problem.

So basically you'd need something that has all three of BT, optical, and AUX in, and then AUX out to go into a splitter into the Edifiers and the PSW10.

I'd say you have two much easier options.

One is to sell the current set of Edifiers, let the PSW10 go, and buy the Edifiers that actually come with a sub, the S351DB. This would probably be a very simple plug and play replacement for your current speakers (just confirm the inputs). They're on sale for R 4999 but I think they were in sale for under R 4k at HiFi Corporation not long ago.

The other option is to sell the Edifiers, buy a cheapie 2.1 amp (this one has Bluetooth: Takealot) and then get passive bookshelf speakers and the PSW10. You could also look at getting a used integrated amp or even an old AV receiver and just getting a BT adapter for it. See the classifieds on AVForums.co.za for used deals on this sort of kit.

I see, look all the inputs aren't a must have now that I think of it - since my switch, pc and Apple TV can all use bluetooth but im not sure how much quality this is giving up .

Im hesitant to sell my current set because they're still relatively new (like 6 months old) and Im very happy with the quality

Thanks for the reply though

 

[adonimac]

If the Edifiers are like mine, they have proprietary speaker cable connectors, they don't use normal speaker cables. So splicing is quite difficult, you'd need to strip off insulation from the proprietary cable and figure out the pinout (mine has six pins).

I do connect the left and right with speaker cable (just red black cable that goes into these spring mount things)

 

[adonimac]

No man
Simply splice/split your one speaker output, to the subwoofer input.
Just need to make sure the sub can accept high-level inputs (and that it's an active sub - thus self powered)

It seems that bluetooth will be the way to go then since it can accommodate all my inputs and then I'll just split from the bluetooth receiver - the problem is how much quality loss is there with bluetooth ?

 

[goldfritter]

I do connect the left and right with speaker cable (just red black cable that goes into these spring mount things)

Oh cool, then splicing is actually an option, in theory.

It seems that bluetooth will be the way to go then since it can accommodate all my inputs and then I'll just split from the bluetooth receiver - the problem is how much quality loss is there with bluetooth ?

Probably not enough to notice, unless you're into super high quality audiophile recordings.

 

[adonimac]

Oh cool, then splicing is actually an option, in theory.


Probably not enough to notice, unless you're into super high quality audiophile recordings.

Ok great thanks, nah I normally just use Apple Music and Spotify with the highest quality present -
Ill look into the bluetooth route then and will look around for some second hand active subs

Thanks for the help!

 

[pikolec]

It seems that bluetooth will be the way to go then since it can accommodate all my inputs and then I'll just split from the bluetooth receiver - the problem is how much quality loss is there with bluetooth ?

Quality loss isn’t the only concern, there may be timing implications. Having the sub a few microseconds behind the bookshelves will be a very bad experience. I know friends who hate their soundbars over Bluetooth as there is a slight delay. it gets very irritating

 

[goldfritter]

Quality loss isn’t the only concern, there may be timing implications. Having the sub a few microseconds behind the bookshelves will be a very bad experience. I know friends who hate their soundbars over Bluetooth as there is a slight delay. it gets very irritating

So in his case he's thinking of using the wired (AUX or RCA or whichever) output from the BT receiver and splitting it with a splitter cable into the sub and the speakers. So, the sub is connected by a wire, not BT. So there should hopefully not be any delay.

 

[adonimac]

So in his case he's thinking of using the wired (AUX or RCA or whichever) output from the BT receiver and splitting it with a splitter cable into the sub and the speakers. So, the sub is connected by a wire, not BT. So there should hopefully not be any delay.

Yes exactly this - I currently don't notice a delay from the apple tv to the speakers over Bluetooth and I assume it would be equal with the sub connected since that connection is after the Bluetooth interface

Do you have any recommendations for subs in my case? My room is small, about 5m^2 - I only looked into the Polk because it was the only one I saw working with the edifier 1280 series, but I see now its not too well regarded on Reddit

Looking for something that's R2k or under (second hand is fine) ?

 

[goldfritter]

Yes exactly this - I currently don't notice a delay from the apple tv to the speakers over Bluetooth and I assume it would be equal with the sub connected since that connection is after the Bluetooth interface

Do you have any recommendations for subs in my case? My room is small, about 5m^2 - I only looked into the Polk because it was the only one I saw working with the edifier 1280 series, but I see now its not too well regarded on Reddit

Looking for something that's R2k or under (second hand is fine) ?

The people on Reddit are snobs. The Polk will be great for a simple system.

Check on AVForums for used deals as well though.

 

[adonimac]

The people on Reddit are snobs. The Polk will be great for a simple system.

Check on AVForums for used deals as well though.

Great thank you!

 

[adonimac]

The people on Reddit are snobs. The Polk will be great for a simple system.

Check on AVForums for used deals as well though.

So think im gonna go for the Polk PSW10 from av1994

Could I ask what settings I should put the polk on ?

Back of speaker - not sure what the toggles and knobs do 😂

 

[goldfritter]

So think im gonna go for the Polk PSW10 from av1994

Could I ask what settings I should put the polk on ?

Back of speaker - not sure what the toggles and knobs do 😂

I reckon try Googling a guide for how to set up a sub for a 2.1 system. You want to tweak the volume and the frequency cutoff so that music sounds nice, and you can hear the bass where you think you should be hearing it, but not too loud to go BWOOOF and overwhelm the rest of the sound. Basically if it sounds good to you, you don't need to worry about the theory behind the settings.

 

[adonimac]

I reckon try Googling a guide for how to set up a sub for a 2.1 system. You want to tweak the volume and the frequency cutoff so that music sounds nice, and you can hear the bass where you think you should be hearing it, but not too loud to go BWOOOF and overwhelm the rest of the sound. Basically if it sounds good to you, you don't need to worry about the theory behind the settings.

Ok great thanks very much, will do this and play around

 

[gavin286]

Did you come right with your setup questions here? Just to clarify - are you connecting the speakers from a line-out source(s)?

 

[adonimac]

I came right, using an aux splitter
The only issue I have is that the aux to RCA that goes into the edifier speakers greats a very small hiss at high values that you cant hear while something is playing but I can live with that