Not a stupid question at all! The seller of the sub said it powered up, but he had no way of testing it. I can return it and get my money back if it doesn't work. So to answer your question, I do not know if it actually works. I do know it powers up.

I run a dvd player through my system exclusively. I use it to play regular audio cds. Therefore, I don't use the 5.1 subwoofer out on my receiver. The receiver has another subwoofer pre out to use when not using the 5.1 out.

I'll throw a 5.1 dvd in the player; hook the sub to the 5.1 sub out; make the needed adjustments on the receiver so it knows to recognize everything 5.1, and see if that works!

I realize I am not going to get killer bass out of this thing. I am simply on a mission to figure this thing out!!