Wiring a Subwoofer

[Holly2711]

Help! I just bought an Energy 5.1 speaker set with subwoofer. Being ignorant, I had an electrician run speaker wire through the walls to all speakers. Now I see the subwoofer is expecting an RCA cable to the Sony AVR subwoofer output. Can I use two RCA connectors from Radio Shack to terminate both ends of the speaker wire? I'd connect the positive to the center plug potions for both ends. Would this work?

 

[Dorosh]

I wouldn't do that as speaker outputs can push a lot of power through that speaker wire, where as the RCA's are much more controlled. Turning things up could damage internal components.

I just noticed you said on both ends you'd do this. Power would no longer be a problem, so it shouldn't be too big of a deal.
I would cut the wires of the RCA's and tie it into the speaker wires. No more 'positive to the center' issues to worry about.

 

[Holly2711]

Thanks, Dorosh!

Let me make sure that I fully understand your reply. I plan to terminate both ends of the speaker wire with an RCA connector - in effect, I want to turn the speaker wire into an RCA cable. You mentioned that I need not worry about "positive to the center issues" so do I correctly understand that polarity is not an issue? I would feel better knowing that I didn't mix up the wires but it doesn't matter? Thanks, again for your help.

I wouldn't do that as speaker outputs can push a lot of power through that speaker wire, where as the RCA's are much more controlled. Turning things up could damage internal components.

I just noticed you said on both ends you'd do this. Power would no longer be a problem, so it shouldn't be too big of a deal.
I would cut the wires of the RCA's and tie it into the speaker wires. No more 'positive to the center' issues to worry about.

 

[Mousemonkey]

Polarity is an issue, the centre pole is positive and the outer is ground or negative.

 

[americanaudiophile]

You can attach speaker wire to RCA connectors if you have to. If you are not comfortable soldering RCAs then you can use these:
http/www.calradstore.com/30-607s-gn.html
Since the intended cable is shielded you may pick up some interference from electrical and RF sources. I would use a ferrite filter like this:
http/www.parts-express.com/ferrite-core-1-4-cord-noise-suppressor--110-450
on the speaker wire to minimize this entering the sub.