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Picky when it comes to music? still want to enjoy music in the car. Stereo speakers that don’t have room for bass response. A subwoofer goes where you need it. In this article you’ll read how to set up a subwoofer in a car.
Usually Subwoofers are used to play frequencies as low as possible, around 20-100 Hz.
Before using a subwoofer in your car, you need to get an amplifier and a subwoofer box. The preferred type of amplifier is the class T/D. It is very efficient with low heat dissipation.
The subwoofer enclosure box should be made from good wood (MDF), and it is used not only to protect the speaker but also to improve sound quality.
When you connect a subwoofer to an amplifier, it is crucial that there are no other speakers or components connected before the amplifier for two reasons.
First, if you connect another speaker after your subwoofer, it will not work correctly. Second, if you connect another speaker before the amplifier with full power (for example, your factory car stereo), you can damage the speakers and even blow up the sub amp.
Whichever way your device is connected won’t make a difference to sound quality but ensure that if there are any speakers connected before the subwoofer, all components (including the subwoofer) are disconnected from their sources of power.
It would be best if you also found a place in your car for the subwoofer box. It needs to be fixed appropriately, and there must not be any vibrations. Otherwise, it may cause sound distortion or damage the speaker. This is only possible in a closed car.
The subwoofer can be mounted with screws or glued to the floor of your car using vibration-damping foam adhesive (powerful, comes out white and sticky).
This reduces vibrations and makes it easier for you to take the amplifier out for service. After you have fixed the speaker box, lift the sub up and down roughly to see if there is still any noise. If the speaker box moves (vibrates), you need to fix it more firmly.
Next, connect the positive and negative (red and black) wires from your amplifier to the (+) and (-) terminals of your subwoofer, respectively; then connect a remote wire control from the (+) terminal of your subwoofer to the amplifier (this wire is not always needed but preferred).
Then, connect an RCA cables from your head unit (the music source) to the input on the rear or front of your amplifier. Connect another RCA cables from amp output to “Input” on your subwoofer box. If your head unit has only one channel of RCA out, connect it to the front of your subwoofer box.
Then connect all these wires power wire from the amplifier to a 12V power source in your vehicle’s electrical system (generally at fuse box/car battery).
When everything is connected, turn on your music source and check to hear the bass at low frequencies. If not, slightly turn up the volume of your amplifier and subwoofer box until you hear the bass response. If there is still no sound, check that all cables are connected correctly and firmly fixed to their respective terminals.
Lastly, if it doesn’t work correctly or sounds distorted, check that there is no background noise (radio, etc.) as this can affect performance.
Every car subwoofer is different, so try and experiment with the frequency until you find one that suits your taste. You can find some recommended settings here.
Subwoofers are used to play frequencies between 20 and 100 Hz. You will need an amplifier connected to the subwoofer with an RCA cable or speaker wires for the best result. Then click the amplifier to a 12V power source.
If the subwoofer doesn’t work correctly or sounds distorted, check that there is no background noise (radio, etc.) as this can affect performance.
First of all, make sure you have connected everything correctly. If you still don’t hear a good bass, try to put the subwoofer box on a flat surface and hit it hard with your hand (not too hard as you can damage the speaker).
If you hear any vibrations, try to dampen those areas. Sometimes this simple thing helps to improve sound quality.
Yes, you can build your subwoofer if you are a handy person.
The principle remains the same, i.e., connecting it to an amplifier, finding a place for the box, and damping any vibrations.
But there are some variations in building methods: you can use wood or MDF (Medium Density Fibreboard) but make sure you know what you are doing as this is not a safe method; you can also use an old speaker box and put in some heavy material to reduce vibrations, or you can build your subwoofer from scratch.
No, because it needs the power to work, and you will not hear anything.
You can, however, buy an amplifier that can power your whole car audio systems (head unit, car subwoofer, front speakers etc.), or you can use a receiver that powers the subwoofer and has built-in amplifiers for other speakers.
A: It depends on how powerful you want your system to be. It is suggested that you always connect the front speakers and subwoofer to an amplifier. Some head units have built-in amplifiers just for powering subwoofers (these devices typically have RCA outputs specifically labelled “subwoofer”).
If you use a head unit or receiver to power your system, most will have different power output options. Use the highest wattage it has and adjust the volume to fit your taste.
A: Make sure that all cables are connected in the right way and firmly fixed to their respective terminals. If it doesn’t work correctly or sounds distorted, check that there is no background noise (radio, etc.) as this can affect performance.
A: Yes, many people use an amplifier with a car subwoofer at home in their living room or bedroom. This is possible if you have a different power wire source and a space for the box.
A: If you already know how to use a screwdriver, your installation will be straightforward. First, make sure that there is enough space to fit your subwoofer and its box. If not, you can take out part of the rear or front seats or even the trunk (many cars have spare compartments that give plenty of room for storing things).
Put in a good quality sound insulation material if needed to reduce vibrations. And finally, connect it using speaker wires to an amplifier or your head unit (if it has a subwoofer output).
A: If your amplifier is designed for that, then yes, you can. But make sure you don’t do this if the separate amplifier isn’t intended for it or has limitations. Some amplifiers need to be “booted” (i.e., turned on) by plugging and unplugging their power cables, so they are not always ready for voltage changes.
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