Ask S&V

Q I am switching over from a 5.1 speaker system to a soundbar but would still like to use my current Paradigm PW 2500 subwoofer with it. Are there any new soundbars that can be used with an existing powered sub? —John Rothery / Tacoma, WA

Yes. Although most low-cost soundbars come paired with their own, usually wireless, subwoofer, when you step up to the mid- or high-end price range, you’ll find numerous options that can mate with your existing Paradigm sub. Virtually all powered soundbars (those with built-in amplification) have a subwoofer preamp output that you can connect to your Paradigm subwoofer.

A good example of this type would be Paradigm’s own SoundScape three-channel soundbar ($1,150). Along with providing a subwoofer preamp output, the SoundScape has a built-in transmitter that can wirelessly send a low-passed (80-hertz) signal to its included wireless receiver. Just connect the wireless receiver’s output to your Paradigm sub’s RCA-jack LFE input, and you’ll be good to go.

Passive soundbars, on the other hand, provide no built-in amplification and need to be connected to the speaker outputs on a receiver or amplifier. Good examples of passive soundbars are GoldenEar Technology’s three-channel SuperCinema 3D Array X ($1,000) and 3D Array XL ($1,600). If you choose to go the passive route, incorporating your Paradigm sub into the system will be super-easy: Just set things up as you did previously with your 5.1 speaker system, with the speaker size adjustment set to Small (or 80 Hz if your electronics provide advanced speaker crossover controls) and a cable running from the receiver’s subwoofer output to the Paradigm’s RCA-jack LFE input.