I have a Pioneer VSX-817-K Home Theater Receiver......speaker hook-up?

Question

I want to hook up a bose cinemate system, as well as 2 seperate bose double cubes to this receiver. please know how the cinemate is hooked up before replying....don't let me know how you think Bose sucks... will it hook-up 100% and will it be fully adapt. to my 360,t.v. etc. which will be hooked up to the receiver as well. Thanks!

P.S. I want to hook the cinemate up to the front of the room and the double cubes will go in the back.....but will it all hook up the way I want it to...I have messenger as well

Answer 1

OK, this is only possible if you have pre-outs on the back of your receiver (most likely you do).  Connect the Cinemate to the L and R pre-outs.  The problem with this connection is that the volume has to be controlled by the cinemate independently and this is the only way to do it without potentially ruining a $500 speaker system.  If you cut the Cinemate wires and connect them directly into the speaker ports you make blow them due to a difference in ohms.  Also the sub is not going to be acting as a part of the 5.1 surround it it integrated into the Cinemate to help the speakers sound larger.  I think having to control the volume of the Cinemate separate from the speakers being powered by the receiver is a pain and almost not even worth it.  The Cimemate is made to connect to a TV, DVD, or any other device that provides sound output but no amplification.   That means that you would be better off selling the Cinemate and getting individually sold speakers and a sub.  I'm not trying to say that Bose sucks, I'm saying that this particular system is not designed for your needs.