A subwoofer is a specialized type of speaker that is designed to amplify the low frequencies that are present in music. Its main purpose is to enhance the sound that your stereo makes, making it a great addition to any car.
Typically, they are built with heavier materials than the stock speakers in your vehicle, which allows them to withstand higher levels of movement in their cones and produce a more accurate and deeper bass response. They can also be a more economical way to add a booming sound to your car’s system without spending the money on new speakers or having to crank up the stereo’s volume.
There are many ways to connect a subwoofer to a radio, depending on your personal preference and the available features of your system. Some are easier to install than others, but it’s important to understand each option before choosing one.
Connecting a Subwoofer to a Radio
The first way you can connect your subwoofer to your radio is by using the RCA inputs that are normally available on your stereo. This is a quick and easy option, but it requires you to have a cable on hand that connects to the RCA jacks on your receiver.
You should also make sure that you use the appropriate gauge wires, as this is dependent on the wattage of your receiver and can affect how the music sounds. If you’re connecting your subwoofer to a high-wattage receiver, you should use thinner wires and vice versa for lower-wattage receivers.
Another option is to connect your subwoofer to your receiver with a separate line-level signal. This is typically done by running two RCA cables from the receiver’s stereo pre-outs (if it has these) to the corresponding ports on your subwoofer.
This is a common method that is often used by car audio enthusiasts and is a fast and easy way to connect your subwoofer. You just need to plug one end of the cable from the RCA input on your stereo into the RCA jacks on your subwoofer, and then plug the other end of the RCA cable from the subwoofer’s LINE IN port into the RCA jacks on your receiver.
If your stereo does not have RCA jacks, you can always use an adapter that converts RCA plugs into speaker wire plugs. These are often available at most electronics stores.
When you’re connecting your subwoofer to the RCA jacks on your stereo, you need to be careful that you don’t run the wires too close to the amplifier. This can cause hum and other electrical interference.
Once you’ve finished wiring your subwoofer, you can place it in your vehicle and enjoy your new system. Just be sure to keep it away from heat-producing components like exhaust manifolds and oil filters.
Connecting a Subwoofer with an Amp
You can usually get a subwoofer that will work with a radio and an amplifier, but you may need to purchase a separate amplifier if your stereo does not have them. You can usually find a separate amplifier at a hardware store, or even online. If you’re installing a new amplifier, be sure to read the manual for your stereo system and your amplifier carefully. The manual will give you instructions for connecting your amplifier to the subwoofer.