Are there different types of speaker inputs?

Question

I have a stereo/5 cd changer, and I noticed two inputs in the back for a subwoofer. The plugs that go into it are presumable the same as the speaker plugs. Which are two bare wires for each speaker, a red and black one. Each wire gets put into it's corresponding hole, after which you flip a switch and the wire locks in place.

Is this the system used in all speakers, or are there different types of input systems? I'm wondering because it would be nice to buy a subwoofer. But I don't see input types in specs if I buy it online.

Answer 1

The system you own is a home cinema kit (A.K.A. home theater kit). All of the amplification is inside the slim 5-disc DVD changer box. The subwoofer is passive. That means it needs power from an amplifier. This is different to most aftermarket subs. They are referred to as 'active'. This is where the sub has it's own amplifier built-in just for the bass. You can tell an active sub because it has a power cord.



Aftermarket active subs come in two varieties: There are those with just a low level input, and those that have both a low level and a high level input. A high level input is a set of speaker terminals on the back of the sub. This is so the sub can accept the speaker level (high power) signal from an amplifier such as a stereo Hi-Fi amp or a home theater kit.



Subs with only a low level input are cheaper but they don't have speaker terminals. The input on that type of sub is a phono / RCA / cinch socket with an orange coloured center ring. This is not suitable for connecting to the speaker terminals of an amp. Connecting a low level input to the speaker terminals of an amp will fry the sub and possibly kill the home theater kit too. Eek!!



If you want an aftermarket sub to work as a replacement for the one you have now then look for an active sub with a high-level input.



Good luck



Edit: in answer to jobooboy, amplifier inputs isn't being questioned. The OP was asking about speaker connections. Spacemissing pointed out that the speaker connections on amps are outputs not inputs as the OP thought.



This confusion over inputs and outputs is such a common thing. It must be the idea of plugging "in to" that makes so very many people wrongly presume that sockets are all inputs.

Answer 2

Speaker Inputs

Answer 3

Types Of Speaker Connections

Answer 4

The first thing you need to know is that speaker connections

on amplifiers -- and things that contain amplifiers -- are not "inputs";

they are outputs, as signals come OUT of them, rather than going into them.





Second, the flippable parts of the speaker terminals are not switches;

they are mechanical clamps that hold the wires in the terminals.



>> A switch is an electrical part that allows instantaneous electrical

(as compared to physical) connection or disconnection at will,

whereas speaker terminals are physical connections

and are not intended to serve as switches,

even though they are sometimes very similar in action and effect.





Third, there are many different types of speaker terminals,

some of which are exclusive to one manufacturer,

and in some cases to only one model -- this is seen

in some home-theater-in-a-box (HTIB) systems.

Answer 5

fyi an amplifier needs a source to ....you guessed it ....amplify....so an amp does infact have inputs !!!!!!!!