How to Hook Up a Subwoofer System to a Car’s Stock Stereo
- Installing the 12v Power Wire. In your amplifier wiring kit, generally a red in color wire is the longest one, which is the 12v power wire.
- Removing the Stock Stereo. Remove the stock car radio from the dashboard of your car. ...
- Installing the Remote Wire. ...
- Plugging the RCA plugs. ...
- Connecting the Subwoofer to the Amplifier. ...
How to connect a subwoofer to a car stereo?
Get the remote wire in your wiring kit. Once you splice it, solder this wire to the remote wire of your stock stereo. After this is done, run the remote wire through the dashboard and the door jam. While the stereo is out, plug in the RCA red and white plugs into the Subwoofer Output, which can be found at backside of the deck.
How do you hook up speakers to the radio?
We grounded to a seat bolt right here back by the amplifier, and then we grabbed speaker wire signal from the factory radio in the dash, connected that to a line output converter right behind the radio, and ran RCA cables and our blue remote turn on wire from behind the radio, down the driver's side of the vehicle, right back here to our amplifier.
Where to tap into speaker wire for subwoofer?
Generally if tapping into factory wires for a subwoofer, it's best to tap into the rear speaker leads. This mainly comes into play if an aftermarket radio is installed and a high pass filter is set on the front speakers to eliminate some of the bass from the front of the vehicle and of course this would take those lower frequencies away from ...
Can you wire rear speaker output as subwoofer output?
You can use extra battery rather than factory stock to induce more power to the car. By wiring rear speaker output as a subwoofer output, you will not get a shattering bass, but it will add extra frequency to your sound system. You can also make a plan to use the subwoofer as a boat anchor and a doorstop on the floor or the door panel.
Can you wire SUBS to a stock radio?
Adding a subwoofer to a factory stereo is an excellent method to boost your sound while retaining your factory controls. The nifty devices can produce bass and sub-bass sounds at low frequencies. Thankfully, it's pretty simple to wire one into an existing car stereo system.
Can you hook up a subwoofer to a factory radio?
So now you know – it's definitely possible to install a subwoofer and amplifier to your factory system, and still have it sounding good. If you'd like to know more about how to get a killer system set-up in your car without swapping your stereo, give us a call at 510-527-9888.
How do you hook up a subwoofer to a factory car stereo?
As shown in the diagram below, to receive an input signal from your factory car stereo you would just need to tap into your rear speaker wires. Then, you would run RCAs from your LOC to your amplifier. Finally, connect your subwoofer to the amplifier using speaker wire as you would normally.
How do you hook up a powered subwoofer to a factory radio?
1:443:47How to install a powered subwoofer in your car | Crutchfield videoYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBoth the turn on wire and RCA signal cables need to be connected to your stereo. Run these cablesMoreBoth the turn on wire and RCA signal cables need to be connected to your stereo. Run these cables behind the dash to your stereo.
Can you run a sub without an amp?
In nearly all cases, the answer is yes. Unless you have a system in your car or boat that is already powering a subwoofer, you'll need to find an amplifier that will power your sub. Your head unit will typically provide a low-power signal (RCA output) that can be used for an amplifier to power your subwoofer.
Do you need a line output converter for subwoofer?
A: Yes, definitely. Amplifiers that offer speaker-level inputs don't require a separate line output converter to tap into existing speaker wires to get their signal. Many powered subwoofers offer this feature, too. The speaker-to-line level conversion is done inside the amplifier.
Do I need to bypass factory amp?
By bypassing the factory amplifier, the music sounds more detailed and clear than it did when he used the amplifier integration harness. Whenever there's one available, we recommend bypassing the factory amp to get better sound. If you're considering a new stereo for your vehicle, keep this option in mind.
Can I just add a subwoofer to my car?
And it's actually quite easy, thanks to simple subwoofer upgrades from the aftermarket that can be added to almost any existing car stereo system. Adding a subwoofer to your audio system generally means also having to purchase and install an amplifier to power it.
Can you connect a powered subwoofer to a speaker wire output?
If you are using your subwoofer with a stereo receiver that lacks a subwoofer output (and many of them do), you can connect the subwoofer using an extra set of speaker cables, as shown above—provided the subwoofer has speaker-level (speaker wire) connections, as the picks in our Best Budget Subwoofer guide do.
How do you hook up a powered subwoofer?
Connect a coaxial cable with RCA-style plugs to the subwoofer output on your receiver. These cables are often supplied with the subwoofer. Route this cable to the low-frequency effect jack on the powered subwoofer. This jack is labeled "Line In," "Low Level In," "LFE In" or something similar.
Powering the Subwoofer
The first thing you will need to purchase in addition to your new subwoofer is either a monoblock or a 5-channel amplifier. This is what you will need to actually amplify your subwoofer. A subwoofer is useless without an amplifier to go along with it.
What Is Bass Roll-off and How do I Prevent It?
Now, if you were to install an aftermarket amplifier and subwoofer, the bass would sound good to a point, plateau, then fall flat on its face. This is also referred to as bass roll-off. In a circumstance where you are exclusively using factory components, bass roll-off actually protects your factory system.
Why won't my subwoofer sound the same?
The reason is that you’re not enhancing the voltage of the stereo, and therefore aren’t giving it the proper “juice”.
What is a JL Audio LOC 22?
The JL Audio LOC-22 is a great example of a premium line out converter: This little puppy can even work if you have a premium factory system in your car – but still want to get more bass. It takes the hi-level signals ...
Do subwoofers have jacks?
The subwoofer is hooked up to the receiver with a single interconnect cable. Stereo receivers, pre-amps, and integrated amplifiers rarely have subwoofer output jacks or offer bass-management options. So instead of using those connections, we'll use the subwoofer's speaker-level, aka "high-level," inputs. Most, but not all, subwoofers have these ...
Do subs improve sound?
Steve Guttenberg/CNET. Subwoofers are used in most home theater systems, but subs can also radically improve the sound of stereo systems -- and not just the ones with small speakers. Subs can provide a foundation to the sound that few speakers can muster on their own. So adding a sub is not just about adding more and deeper bass; rather, ...
Does a subwoofer help with bass?
So adding a sub is not just about adding more and deeper bass; rather, a properly integrated subwoofer can improve the overall sound of the system. Subwoofer connection to a two-channel system differs from the methods used in home theaters.
Why add a subwoofer to a car stereo?
Adding a subwoofer to your factory stereo is a great way to improve your sound without giving up your familiar factory controls. In this video, you can follow along as one of our experts installs an amplifier and subwoofer in a car with a factory stereo. You'll see all the basics of amplifier installation, including:
Can you drive a subwoofer without an amp?
If you intend to drive that subwoofer without an amplifier and it's not a powered sub, that won't work. Your radio or even factory amp isn't going to be able to do it. And underpowering will be detrimental to the sub and whatever is underpowering it.
What is a subwoofer in a home stereo system?
A home stereo is all about immersing yourselves and interacting with the atmosphere created by the surround sound system. And a subwoofer is a key element to help you achieve that complete immersion. A powered subwoofer brings out the sound or the bass that you would otherwise miss.
How many connections are needed for a powered subwoofer?
The first thing you have to know that only two connections are required by all powered subwoofer. A powered subwoofer is a subwoofer that has built-in amplification with which you can plug to the power outlet.
What does LFE mean in audio?
LFE means low-frequency effects. Since subwoofer is basically a speaker that creates very low bass frequency, so LFE is pretty relevant. An LFE with a designated subwoofer output works well with any amp or receiver. 1.
Is a subwoofer good for home stereo?
It enhances your existing stereo system and brings the music alive, giving you an indistinct experience. In short, a subwoofer makes your home stereo a lot more awesome. Plus, a powered subwoofer is really easy to wire and connect. So, worry not!
What is an active subwoofer?
Active subwoofers are also known as powered subwoofers. Now about the handling of powered subwoofer you must select “under-powering” subwoofer and avoid “over-powering” one for not to cause any harm to your device. Because over power can burn your subwoofer.
Do you need an amp for bass?
Therefore, if you want deep thumping bass, definitely you need an amplifier . But you can also enjoy hip top, decent tunes without even using an amp.
Can you use a subwoofer as a boat anchor?
You can also make a plan to use the subwoofer as a boat anchor and a doorstop on the floor or the door panel. Or you can focus on the head unit. Some head unit has inbuilt power to provide distortion-free sound, and by adding a high pass crossover with the head unit, you can sort out the problem.
