Audio/Video Receiver via Zone 2 (AVR)
For this connection you need:
(1) RCA stereo cable (2x RCA Male to 2x RCA Male)
(2) RCA cable (RCA Male to RCA Male)
(3) Speaker cable
The easiest way to connect ShakEQ to your AVR is to use Zone 2 RCA outputs.
Simply connect the Zone 2’s stereo output to ShakEQ’s inputs A and B with a RCA stereo cable (1).
After that connect ShakEQ’s output 1 or 2 to your shaker amp (2).
It is recommended that you check your AVR’s manual to make sure all settings are right for the Zone 2 to work as expected. Note that when using Zone 2 for ShakEQ the volume of the shaker does not change when you change your listening volume, because they have separate volume controls. Set the output level for Zone 2 at about 80-90% from the maximum output.
Audio/Video Receiver via Sub-Out (AVR)
If your AVR does not provide Zone 2 outputs you can connect ShakEQ to your subwoofer output. Note that any subwoofer equalization done by the AVR will affect the shaker’s response in this connection type. While this is not optimal, it is still possible to get good results by using ShakEQ’s Manual EQ to compensate at a later stage.
For this connection you need:
(1) RCA splitter (RCA Male to 2x RCA Female)
(2)(3) 3x RCA cable (RCA Male to RCA Male)
(4) Speaker cable
Use an RCA splitter (1) to share the subwoofer output with ShakEQ and the subwoofer.
Connect the split output (2) to ShakEQ’s input A or B and the subwoofer. Inputs A and B are processed to one mono signal internally.
ShakEQ’s outputs 1 and 2 send the same mono signal, so you can use either or both for your shaker amplifier(s) (3).
It is recommended to set all speakers to SMALL in the AVR’s settings. This will route low frequencies to the subwoofer output from all channels. Setting the speakers LARGE will only allow the LFE channel to be output to the sub out, which will reduce the amount of audio information ShakEQ receives.
Some modern AVRs have the possibility to assign one of the subwoofer outputs as a dedicated bass shaker output. In this case you don’t need to use a splitter (1), simply connect ShakEQ to the assigned shaker output and the subwoofer to it’s own output.
Audio/Video Receiver via Sub-Out (AVR)
If your AVR does not provide Zone 2 outputs you can connect ShakEQ to your subwoofer output. Note that any subwoofer equalization done by the AVR will affect the shaker’s response in this connection type. While this is not optimal, it is still possible to get good results by using ShakEQ’s Manual EQ to compensate at a later stage.
For this connection you need:
(1) RCA splitter (RCA Male to 2x RCA Female)
(2)(3) 3x RCA cable (RCA Male to RCA Male)
(4) Speaker cable
Use an RCA splitter (1) to share the subwoofer output with ShakEQ and the subwoofer.
Connect the split output (2) to ShakEQ’s input A or B and the subwoofer. Inputs A and B are processed to one mono signal internally.
ShakEQ’s outputs 1 and 2 send the same mono signal, so you can use either or both for your shaker amplifier(s) (3).
It is recommended to set all speakers to SMALL in the AVR’s settings. This will route low frequencies to the subwoofer output from all channels. Setting the speakers LARGE will only allow the LFE channel to be output to the sub out, which will reduce the amount of audio information ShakEQ receives.
Some modern AVRs have the possibility to assign one of the subwoofer outputs as a dedicated bass shaker output. In this case you don’t need to use a splitter (1), simply connect ShakEQ to the assigned shaker output and the subwoofer to it’s own output.
TV via optical output (Toslink)
For this connection you need:
(1) Toslink cable (Toslink Male to Toslink Male)
(2) 2x RCA splitter (RCA Male to 2x RCA Female)
(3) 2x RCA stereo cable (2x RCA Male to 2x RCA Male)
(4) RCA cable (RCA Male to RCA Male)
(5) Speaker cable
To connect ShakEQ to your TV you need a digital-to-analog converter with an optical input (1).
Use two RCA splitters (2) on the LEFT and RIGHT outputs to share the same audio with ShakEQ and the speakers/headphone amp.
Connect the split LEFT and RIGHT (3) channels to ShakEQ’s inputs A and B. Inputs A and B are processed to mono internally.
ShakEQ’s outputs 1 and 2 send the same mono signal, so you can use either or both for your shaker amplifier(s) (4).
TV with a soundbar
For this connection you need:
(1) HDMI ARC cable (HDMI Male to HDMI Male)
(2) RCA splitter (RCA Male to 2x RCA Female)
(3)(4) 3x RCA cable (RCA Male to RCA Male)
(5) Speaker cable
To connect ShakEQ to your soundbar use the soundbar’s subwoofer output. If your soundbar does not have a subwoofer output, read the bottom section for alternative connections.
Use an RCA splitter (1) to share the same audio output with ShakEQ and the subwoofer.
Connect the AVR’s output (2) to ShakEQ’s input A or B. Both inputs are combined to one mono signal internally.
ShakEQ’s outputs 1 and 2 send the same signal, so you can use either or both for your shaker amplifier(s) (3).
Other connection methods:
1. Use your TV’s optical output for ShakEQ. This would allow for a connection to the soundbar via HDMI and a connection to ShakEQ via optical out (refer to the connection guide’s “TV via optical output”-section for more information). However, this method requires that your TV allows audio to be sent to both HDMI and optical out simultaneously, which is not always allowed.
2. If only either HDMI or optical are allowed, a separate DAC is needed (a digital-to-analog converter with an optical input and optical and analog outputs). This option allows you to connect ShakEQ straight to the DAC’s analog outputs and the soundbar to the DAC’s optical output.
PC via line output (3pin TRS)
For this connection you need:
(1) 3.5mm 3pin stereo audio adapter (3.5mm TRS Male to 2x RCA Female)
(2) 2x RCA splitter (RCA Male to 2x RCA Female)
(3) 2x RCA stereo cable (2x RCA Male to 2x RCA Male)
(4) RCA cable (RCA Male to RCA Male)
(5) Speaker cable
To connect ShakEQ to your PC use the PC’s stereo line output (usually color coded green).
Use a stereo audio adapter (1) to split the output to LEFT and RIGHT channels.
Connect the LEFT and RIGHT channels to RCA splitters (2). The splitters allow you to send the same output to ShakEQ and the speakers/headphone amp.
Connect the split LEFT and RIGHT channels (3) to ShakEQ’s inputs A and B. Inputs A and B are processed to mono internally.
ShakEQ’s outputs 1 and 2 send the same mono signal, so you can use either or both for your shaker amplifier(s) (4).
If your PC does not have a separate line output there are other options as well:
1. Use the PC’s headphone output (refer to the connection guide’s “PC via headphone output”-section for more information).
2. If you are using a wireless Bluetooth headset it is possible to send Bluetooth audio to the headset and use the line output simultaneously with the help of an audio mixer software. The downside of this method is that it may disable the headset’s microphone.
3. Use a separate USB DAC with RCA outputs (refer to the connection guide’s “Game console”-section for more information).
PC via headphone output (4pin TRRS)
For this connection you need:
(1) 3.5mm 4pin to 3pin audio+mic splitter (3.5mm TRRS Male to 2x 3.5mm TRS Female)
(2) 3.5mm 3pin stereo audio splitter (3.5mm TRS Male to 2x 3.5mm TRS Female)
(3) 3.5mm 3pin to 2x RCA audio adapter (3.5mm TRS Male to 2x RCA Male)
(4) 3.5mm 3pin to 4pin audio+mic splitter (2x 3.5mm TRS Male to 3.5mm TRRS Female)
(5) 3.5mm 4pin audio cable (3.5mm TRRS Male to 3.5mm TRRS Male)
(6) RCA cable (RCA Male to RCA Male)
(7) Speaker cable
Most gaming laptops only have a TRRS headphone output for audio. TRRS contains the microphone’s signal in addition to stereo audio, so to connect ShakEQ to your headphone output we must first separate the microphone audio and the stereo audio with a mic+audio splitter. (1)
Use a stereo audio splitter (2) to split the audio from the mic+audio splitter.
Connect ShakEQ’s inputs A and B to the splitter with a stereo 3.5mm to RCA adapter (3).
Connect the microphone and audio to the headset using another mic+audio splitter (4) and the headphone’s TRRS cable (5). These two cables are sometimes provided with the headset.
ShakEQ’s outputs 1 and 2 send the same mono signal, so you can use either or both for your shaker amplifier(s) (6).
Other connection methods:
1. If you are using a wireless Bluetooth headset it is possible to send Bluetooth audio to the headset and use the headphone output simultaneously with the help of an audio mixer software. The downside of this method is that it may disable the headset’s microphone. The benefit is that you would only need a 3.5mm to RCA audio adapter (3) to connect ShakEQ to your PC.
2. Use a separate USB DAC with a headphone output and RCA outputs.
Game console
For this connection you need:
(1) USB cable (USB male to USB male)
(2) 2x RCA splitter (RCA Male to 2x RCA Female)
(3) 2x RCA stereo cable (2x RCA Male to 2x RCA Male)
(4) RCA cable (RCA Male to RCA Male)
(5) Speaker cable
Modern game consoles do not provide audio outputs straight from the console, so a separate USB DAC is recommended (1). Note that not all USB DACs are compatible with game consoles, so check compatibility before buying.
Use two RCA splitters (2) on the DAC’s LEFT and RIGHT RCA outputs to split the audio to ShakEQ and the speakers/headphone amp. Note that if your DAC has multiple stereo outputs you might not need splitters at all.
Connect the split LEFT and RIGHT channels (3) to ShakEQ’s inputs A and B. Both input channels are processed to mono internally. Connect the remaining split LEFT and RIGHT channels to your speakers/headphone amp.
Connect ShakEQ’s output 1 or 2 to your shaker amp (4). Both outputs send the same signal, so you can use either or both for your shaker amplifier(s) (5).
Other connection methods:
1. The TRRS headphone output from the game controller can be split for headphones and ShakEQ. Refer to the connection guide’s “PC via headphone output”-section for more information.
2. An HDMI audio extractor could be used in a similar way than a USB DAC, although it is not recommended, since it is not a very reliable setup.
3. For wireless headphones there are unfortunately no solutions at the moment.