ROCK SHAKER 10: How To Connect Home Theater System

Introduction

The Rockville Rock Shaker 10 is a powerful subwoofer that enhances low-end frequencies for your home theater setup, making movie nights and music playback more immersive. This guide will show you two methods to connect your Rock Shaker 10 to your home theater receiver, whether your receiver has a dedicated subwoofer output or requires a speaker wire connection.

Step-by-Step Guide to Connecting the Rock Shaker 10 to a Home Theater System

1. Determine Your Receiver’s Output Type

Most home theater receivers will have one of the following outputs:

• RCA Subwoofer Output ("Sub Out") – Direct connection for powered subwoofers.
• Speaker Wire Outputs Only – Requires daisy-chaining through high-level inputs.

2. Connecting the Rock Shaker 10 Using the "Sub Out" RCA Output (Recommended Method)

If your receiver has a dedicated RCA subwoofer output, follow these steps:

1. Get an RCA cable (single mono RCA).
2. Plug one end into the "Sub Out" on the back of the receiver.
3. Plug the other end into the RCA Line Input on the Rock Shaker 10.
4. Adjust the subwoofer settings:
   • Raise the volume knob on the subwoofer to your preferred level.
   • Set the low-pass filter (frequency knob) to the desired bass frequency (e.g., 80-120Hz for a balanced home theater experience).

3. Connecting the Rock Shaker 10 Using Speaker Wire (If Receiver Has No Sub Out RCA Port)

If your receiver does not have an RCA Sub Out, you can daisy-chain the subwoofer with your existing speakers using high-level (speaker wire) connections.

A. Connecting Through Your Speakers (Daisy-Chaining)

1. Take two sets of speaker wire.
2. Connect one end of the first set to the positive and negative terminals on the back of your main speakers.
3. Unscrew the High-Level Input terminals on the back of the Rock Shaker 10 and insert the other end of the speaker wires into the corresponding left and right High-Level Inputs.

B. Connecting Directly to the Receiver (Alternative Method)

1. Take two sets of speaker wire.
2. Plug one end into the left and right speaker outputs on the receiver.
3. Plug the other end into the High-Level Inputs on the Rock Shaker 10.
4. Daisy-chain your speakers:
   • Take two more sets of speaker wire.
   • Plug one end into the High-Level Output on the subwoofer.
   • Plug the other end into the left and right speaker terminals on your main speakers.

4. Fine-Tuning the Subwoofer Settings

• Raise the volume knob to blend the bass with your system.
• Adjust the Low-Pass Filter:
  • Set between 80Hz – 120Hz for movies and music.
  • Lower settings focus bass on deep rumbles (great for action movies).
• Use the Phase Switch (0° / 180°) if the bass sounds out of sync with your speakers.

Conclusion

The Rockville Rock Shaker 10 is a versatile and powerful subwoofer that integrates seamlessly into a home theater setup, whether through RCA Sub Out or speaker wire connections. By fine-tuning the volume and crossover settings, you can achieve deep, cinematic bass for an immersive experience.

If you experience issues, double-check your cable connections and adjust your receiver’s sound settings.