How to connect a car subwoofer to a stereo at home


You can often come across the opinion that a subwoofer is the destiny of home theaters, so that it can “bang” and “rattle” along with a movie sequence. They also say that in a Hi-Fi system, a subwoofer will only spoil the sound. But when you ask clarifying questions to those promoting such statements, it most often turns out that they themselves had no experience in constructing the same trifonic. Or they had it, but proper attention was not paid to setting it up and fine-tuning it. Although even in a cinema system, installing and configuring a subwoofer is not an entirely simple task. And even more so in trifonics and similar systems.

So what can you do to get an increase in sound quality using a subwoofer? Or maybe it’s not worth the candle?

This topic interested me for good reason - I have a couple of bookshelf readers at my disposal. Basically, everything in their sound is enough for me. But, having once listened to a correctly tuned trifonic, upon returning home I realized that something was clearly missing in the sound of my bookshelf speakers.

I think the reader has already guessed what I mean - there is a lack of volume and fullness of sound that appears when frequencies from 60 Hz and below have good support. It’s worth noting right away that not all floor-standing speakers with a reasonable budget can afford such low bass without losing density and body. Therefore, for most floor-standing owners, this topic is also relevant.

Where to connect the wires on the amplifier, radio or subwoofer

On the back of the radio or amplifier there are usually two separate ports - for connecting the power part and acoustics. There may be connectors of different shapes. Terminals for bolted connections are more reliable; in them, the wires are attracted by bolts with contact pads put on them. They need to be tightened periodically so that they do not become loose from shaking.

Example of connection to an amplifier. Same thing for the radio

We connect the cable from the battery to the terminal labeled +12 V. The negative is connected to GND or “–”. There is another terminal in the power block - RMT or can also be labeled as REM. This is the input for connecting the control cable. It serves to simultaneously turn on the amplifier and radio.

Connecting power cables to an active subwoofer

The subwoofer has a similar connector for connecting power cables. In the photo on the left he is below. There is the same input, labeled +12 V. We connect the cable from the battery here. The GND socket is the negative from the case, and the REM socket is for connecting control. As you can see, the power on all active parts of the system (radio, amplifier and subwoofer) is connected in the same way.

Setting the speaker size

Enter your receiver's settings menu and find the speaker setting. There should be a setting for the size of your front left and right speakers. Actually less has to do with the physical size of your speakers. It's more about bass management.

Set your speakers to "small" even if you are using floorstanding speakers. Because the setting for a “small” speaker will send low frequencies to the subwoofer. This is useful for three reasons:

This relieves the front speakers so they are focused on the mids and highs.

This will allow your receiver to allocate more energy to the mid and high frequencies.

This can prevent low frequencies from damaging the speakers.

How to connect an active subwoofer

The most common way to connect an active subwoofer is as follows.

  1. Use power and signal wires for installation. Connect the positive power wire with a large cross-section to the “+” sign on the battery.
  2. Then a fuse should be installed along the power circuit to protect the equipment from possible overloads and short circuits. As a location, it is better to choose an area of ​​the engine compartment as close as possible to the battery. In this situation, it is easy to provide quick and free access to it.
  3. The negative wire should be securely connected to the car body using the nearest point. The result should be a connection between the GND subwoofer and the body ground with a “-” sign.
  4. If there are separate connectors on the radio, then connecting with an active subwoofer will be easier. In this case, you only need to lay the coaxial cable in the screen with the appropriate connector. On one side it will approach the SubOut output of the radio, and on the other it will connect to the Lineln of the subwoofer.

Connecting a subwoofer to a radio without a line output

In some situations, the car owner may be faced with the fact that his standard device does not have a linear output for connecting to a passive or active amplifier. In this case, you should find high-level inputs on the device; it is also possible to send a signal from the outputs to them.

Similar articles

  • Setting up a car subwoofer yourself

To connect to such inputs, ordinary speaker wires are used. Just be sure to ensure the correct polarity of the connection. If the device does not have such inputs, then as a solution you can purchase a high-level adapter, which is a signal level converter. This part is connected to the output of the radio, and a linear signal for the amplifier is taken from the adapter. Depending on the type of adapter selected, you can adjust the signal level by adjusting it to remove distortion.

Connecting a subwoofer from a computer to a radio

Sometimes the driver is not satisfied with the sound quality in the car, then he has to look for ways to improve it. A computer subwoofer is often used for this. The device can be connected in two ways: using power supply via 12/220V, or through the necessary contacts (+12V) on the amplifier board. If you have experience in radio engineering, you can figure out the power supply using a tester and send an audio signal to the subwoofer input. To do this, you will have to take it from the linear output of the radio using a long shielded cable.

Crossover connection

Using a crossover, you can divide frequencies into ranges, that is, filter them. This is especially useful for speakers, which are popularly called “tweeters”. Without a frequency filter, signals from the entire frequency range (from low frequencies to high frequencies) are supplied to the speaker heads, and the quality of the music becomes worse. There are crossovers of active and passive types, as well as one- and two-way ones.

When connecting new devices to the car, you must follow safety precautions. Disconnect the battery terminals to de-energize the equipment, use seals and electrical tape to ensure a secure connection, and monitor the quality of the wires. These recommendations will help make the sound in the car better, and will not allow you to doubt fire safety.

Terminology:

The subwoofer formula is that the larger the area, and therefore the size of the diffuser, the more powerful and organic the bass.

The dimensions of the subwoofer are quite large. Basically, the subwoofer body is cubic in shape and made of standard materials for acoustics, for example MDF board made from wood fiber chips, made at high pressure and temperature. You can also find cylindrical and spherical systems, but they are not widely used. The low-frequency diffuser is located inside the subwoofer housing, and it is worth noting that the stroke of the speaker emitter can reach up to 7 centimeters! Subwoofers are divided into active and passive. The active ones already have an amplifier with them, and the passive one needs to be connected to a separate sound amplifier, the function of which is to amplify and transmit the signal to your Hi-Fi equipment (acoustic speakers, home theater speakers).

The main thing is your perception of the music and your feelings. Rely on them, and the chosen acoustics will delight you every time you listen. With the right choice, even inexpensive components can achieve maximum quality; all that is needed is a balance between them.

Connecting a subwoofer 2 X 2

Low-frequency systems with two loudspeakers are often installed in cars. They provide great power, deep and rich bass. The connection diagram for a 2 X 2 subwoofer may differ from other options. This design can be made in the form of a closed box or work with a bass reflex. Connecting a 2 X 2 subwoofer can be done in two simple ways. This is a series or parallel connection of loudspeaker voice coils. In order to calculate the resulting resistance, a simple formula is used. The voice coil winding is a low-resistance resistor. When two 2 Ohm coils are connected in series, the total resistance is 4 Ohms, based on the formula R total = R1 + R2 or 2 Ω + 2 Ω = 4 Ω.

The connection diagram for a 2 X 2 subwoofer at 4 Ohms does not cause any difficulties, since almost all low-frequency amplifiers operate with such a load. The formula for parallel connection of resistances looks a little different. Here the resulting resistance of several resistors will be less than the smallest resistance of the parallel circuit. According to the formula Rtotal=R1*R2/R1+R2, the resistance of two 2 Ω coils connected in parallel will be equal to 1 Ω. Connecting a 2 X 2 in 1 subwoofer is associated with some difficulties, since not all models of low-frequency amplifiers can work correctly with such a load impedance. Each connection has its own specifics. If in the subwoofer connection diagram there are 2 X 2, the windings of the voice coils are connected in series, then the power will decrease by about half. Since one speaker with an impedance of 2 provides a nominal power of 500 watts, connecting a second speaker in parallel with the same impedance will reduce the system output power to 350 watts.

Connecting a car amplifier to a computer

Most computer games use powerful sound. This is not only background music, but also various effects. To create anxiety and tension, very low frequencies are used, which will be reproduced well by a car low-frequency path. You can connect a subwoofer to your computer at home via a low-frequency amplifier. The audio line-out connector is located on the back or side of the computer. It is a “MiniJack 3.5 mm” and is designed to connect headphones or ULF. To connect to a low-frequency amplifier, you need to use a cable with a “Mini-Jack” installed on one side and two RCA “Tulip” connectors on the other. It is better to use a multi-channel amplifier, then broadband satellite speakers are connected to the corresponding connectors, and a powerful car speaker is connected to the low-frequency output. Connecting a subwoofer at home this way will allow you to get rich bass sound.

Connecting a subwoofer in a car

If the subwoofer is active, then there will be no special problems when connecting it to a standard radio or other head unit. To do this, you need to complete only two steps: connect the power and audio wires.

Similar articles

  1. To connect the power, you need to stretch the wire from the subwoofer into the engine compartment of the car and connect it through a fuse to the positive terminal of the battery. The negative contact of the subwoofer is powered from the nearest ground.
  2. The audio cable connects directly to a special subwoofer jack, which is located on the back of the radio and is usually designated “S/W” or “SW OUT”.

Read more about the connectors and outputs on the rear walls of car radios in our instructions for connecting car radios.


Connection diagram for a passive subwoofer in a car

A passive subwoofer in a car is somewhat more difficult to connect, since it needs to be connected not directly to the radio, but through an amplifier (see the connection diagram above). In addition, to avoid sound dropouts at high volumes and problems with the car's electrical equipment, we recommend using a special capacitor for the subwoofer.

Since subwoofers create an additional load on the on-board electrical network of the car, if there is a powerful sound amplifier in the audio system, it often becomes necessary to purchase a capacitor for the subwoofer, which will protect the network from overloads.

After installing and connecting the subwoofer in the car, all that remains is to configure it correctly. If an active subwoofer is installed in the car, then when adjusting it, the optimal sound option is simply selected.

But setting up a passive subwoofer is usually more complicated, and in order to correctly adjust its sound you need to have a good ear for music. If you cannot set up a passive subwoofer yourself, then it would be better to turn to specialists for this.

Is it possible to connect 2 passive subwoofers to a home cinema!?

If the resistance matches the amp then of course

The subwoofer correctly localizes these bass. For example, while watching a movie, footsteps will be heard and the sounds of a gunshot will be heard. How to connect a home cinema. Next, the main point is connecting and assembling the home cinema.

If your home cinema has this advantage and has the necessary inputs/outputs, then I think there is an option. Review the abstract. Ideally, ask this question on the manufacturer’s own website, indicating the model.

First you need to look at the output resistance of the house. cinema hall and subbuffer input impedance. The subbuffer input resistance will not be less than the amplifier output. In general, the load is suitable and matched.

Classification of subwoofers and methods of installing them in a car

All car subwoofers are divided into two large classes: passive and active.

  1. A passive subwoofer is a box with speakers built into it. In order for such a subwoofer to work, you will have to additionally purchase a sound amplifier of appropriate power, since passive subwoofers do not have their own amplifier.
  2. Active subwoofers differ from passive ones in that they have their own built-in amplifier.

In fact, an active subwoofer is a ready-to-use acoustic system that is suitable, perhaps, for most car enthusiasts, except for those who have special requirements for sound quality. Very often, active subwoofers also have the ability to adjust sound frequencies and bass levels.

Similar articles


  • DIY subwoofer

There is another type of subwoofer that does not have a housing and is a speaker with or without an amplifier - they are called frameless.

Cabinetd subwoofers, in turn, differ from each other in the shape of the housing and the material from which it is made:

  • Regardless of the type of subwoofer (active or passive), the body shape can be round, square or rectangular.
  • The material used to make the body can be multilayer plywood, chipboard or even fiberboard.

The frequency characteristics of the subwoofer also depend on the material of the housing, as well as its shape.

Methods for installing a subwoofer in a car

In most cases, subwoofers are installed in the trunk of a car, and the installation locations may vary. Most often, the subwoofer is attached to the back of the rear seat, but there are also options when the “sub” is installed on the side in the luggage compartment.

Woofers that do not have a cabinet are typically installed in the following locations:

  • In the interior trim of the car;
  • In the trunk floor;
  • The housing is made according to individual calculations, taking into account the characteristics of the free space in the car. Such subwoofers occupy a minimum of usable space in the luggage compartment of the car.

There are also compact models of subwoofers that are installed under the front seats of a car. However, such devices are not very powerful.

After determining the installation location, the subwoofer is directly installed in the car and its further connection to the car’s on-board network and to the amplifier or car radio.

How to choose the right subwoofer?

First, let's define the tasks. As a rule, they come in two types: to sound special effects as part of a home theater or to play music.

In a cinema system, the main task of a subwoofer is to create the required sound pressure when dubbing special effects. Typically, subwoofers in a bass reflex housing are used for this. The reason for this is greater output in the lower range due to the fact that the bass reflex releases those low-frequency waves that are generated by the inside of the subwoofer speaker.

In addition, this design allows you to achieve fairly “big” bass from a relatively small speaker - and in a small housing. But bass reflex subwoofers also have disadvantages: they are more selective in choosing a place in your room. They also have a more uneven frequency response, because the resonance frequency of the subwoofer speaker and the bass reflex itself are different.

As a result, if you do not pay due attention to setting up and finding the most suitable place, you will end up with the same hum and muttering about which legends are made. Attempts to combine such a subwoofer into a triphonic with a stereo pair rarely end successfully. Bass reflex bass is characterized by power and depth, but not by any means the elasticity and quality of bass that high-record fans strive for.

A subwoofer in a closed box is the complete opposite. It is capable of fast, elastic and lean bass. It is less demanding on your room, loyal to music, has a smoother frequency response - all this is a plus. But in order to achieve powerful and deep bass from a closed subwoofer, which will be comparable in efficiency to a bass reflex one, we will need a much larger volume of the closed enclosure, and therefore more space in the room for the sub. Despite this, a closed box is much better suited for building a triphonic and other musical systems.

The purpose of such a subwoofer as part of a triphonic is to expand the frequency range of the speaker system. For a cinema system, a closed subwoofer will also be relevant, but with comparable parameters its size will be larger than that of its counterpart with a bass reflex.

How to connect a subwoofer to a car with an amplifier

A full-fledged speaker system with high-quality low-frequency sound involves installing a subwoofer through a separate amplifier with capacitors and crossovers for each channel. In this case, the 25 W output power of any standard head unit will be enough to install premium midrange speakers and a woofer with a peak load of 1500 W. The quality of the resonant frequencies will be provided by crossovers, and the bass sensitivity ranges will be provided by the amplifier.

For installation you will need speaker cables with RCA connectors, wiring with a minimum resistance characteristic of 2 ohms, plastic ties, clamps and terminals. All components can be purchased in a special kit for installing car acoustics.


Connection diagram

Operating procedure:

  1. Disconnect the battery.
  2. Prepare acoustic cables for installation in technological holes from the engine compartment of the car, having previously insulated them in special tubes - moisture entering the wiring is unacceptable. During installation, make sure that there are strong bends so that the wiring does not fray during operation (when installing LF speakers in the doors).
  3. Connect the amplifier, observing the polarity of the outputs according to the diagram.
  4. Connect the RCA cables from the head unit to the amplifier.
  5. Connect power to the amplifier from the battery (positive output).
  6. Install the wiring to the crossovers and the remaining midrange and tweeter speakers.
  7. Connect the subwoofer and amplifier, securely fastening the tulip connectors and the wire to ground.

If all elements are installed correctly, the sound channels will work without interference.

For detailed instructions on installing the entire system, watch the video.

How to connect speakers to a TV - all methods for 6 types of speakers

Good external speakers will improve the sound of even an old TV. High-quality speakers will add realism to any audio track - the main thing is to connect them correctly to the main equipment. How to do this is described below.

What types of connectors are there?

Despite the variety of audio systems, today there are only 5 main connection types, since the rest are either outdated or have not yet become popular.

How to connect speakers to a TV

When connecting audio devices to the TV, you need to consider their type. Based on this parameter, you need to select cables and adapters.

Columns are divided into 6 types, which will be discussed in more detail below.

Active speakers

Speakers with an amplifier that operate from mains power or a battery and batteries. The speakers are connected without the use of adapters or extras. devices. There are 3 types of active speaker connectors:

  1. RCA or “tulip” - the left and right channels are connected to the red and white sockets on the TV, respectively.
  2. TRS or Mini Jack is a popular connector for home speakers. If the TV does not have such a connector, you should purchase an AUX cable, thanks to which the devices can connect to each other.
  3. Direct connection is rare. The list of approved adapters for the model is usually specified in the instructions.

Passive speakers

There is no built-in amplifier, so you need to be sure that the connected equipment will handle them. Most TVs have amplifiers, but they may not be enough for acoustics. According to the rules, the power of the amplifier should be 30% greater than that of the speaker. The more powerful the amplifier, the better.

The speaker impedance must match the amplifier's output impedance. In addition, polarity must be observed (plus to plus, minus to minus), otherwise the sound will be worse than intended. If there are more than 2 speakers in the set, you will have to buy an additional AV receiver that will combine the signal from the speakers and convert them linearly.

Some amplifiers are equipped with a receiver, which will save money on adapters. For owners of modern TVs, it is advisable to purchase an amplifier with an HDMI connector - this way the sound will be transmitted in maximum quality.

Music Center

They are usually equipped with an AUX output, which is also used in cars. To connect to TV, just buy an AUX cable and perform the following steps:

  1. Connect TV and center. You need to connect the cord to the OUT connector on the center and the In connector on the TV.
  2. Connect the speakers to the music center.
  3. Turn on both devices.

Sometimes the centers are connected via a “tulip” and a mini-jack. The connection logic is the same - the Out port on the device transmitting the signal, the In connector on the receiving device.

Composite stereo system

One of the unusual methods is how to connect speakers to a Samsung 32N4510 TV or another model. The system will produce better sound than regular speakers, but slightly worse than a home theater system. It consists of an amplifier, passive speakers and a subwoofer.

To connect stereo systems, a SCART connector is used - this is rare today. The connection problem is solved by purchasing a SCART-tulip adapter or a SCART-Mini Jack adapter.

Home cinema

It can provide the best sound at home, which is why professionals try to use home theater speakers as speakers. Before connecting a system with a subwoofer to your TV, you should study the instructions in detail. The user manual describes possible adapters that can be used with this model.

Important : Before connecting the devices, they should be de-energized, otherwise there is a high risk of a short circuit.

A home theater with a subwoofer will allow you to immerse yourself in the world on your TV screen. Good audio systems convey the smallest rustle that will change the perception of a movie or game.

To connect a home theater, you should use an HDMI cable - then the sound quality will reach the highest possible level in a domestic environment. If the cinema is old and does not have such a port, you should read the instructions and choose among the possible connection options those that will not “chew” the sound.

Connection algorithm:

  1. Connect speakers and subwoofer.
  2. Connect to the receiver.
  3. Connect the receiver to the amplifier.
  4. Connect the amplifier to the TV.

As a rule, after these steps you do not need to make any additional settings - you just need to plug the system into the electrical network. But it's better to review the instructions. If it indicates the presence of additional settings, they should be carried out.

Power cable for active subwoofer

To supply power to the subwoofer, you must pull the cable from the battery. You should not connect it to the cigarette lighter, turns, locks and other devices. And the sound will be bad, and the safety will be low.

Acoustics are one of the most powerful consumers and the cable is needed from the power category. Well insulated, with a large cross-section and made of good copper. The cross section is selected depending on the power of the column. Let's say right away that it will be considerable.

Table for determining the cable cross-section for connecting the power supply to an active subwoofer

The table shows the recommended diameter depending on the power of the connected device. Dimensions are given in AWG - the American system for measuring wire cross-section. This is the first number. The correspondence in square millimeters - mm², which is accepted in our country, is given in brackets.

You will not find an exact match on our market. For example, 6.5 mm² is definitely not. Available in 6.0 mm² or 8.0 mm². It is better to take the nearest larger one. That is, if you need 6.5 mm², then it is better to take 8 than 6.

Cables for power supply to active subwoofer

Take the length with reserve. Splicing of power cables is not permitted. If it turns out to be short, you will have to pull a new piece. You will also need terminals, which you attach along the edges of the cable. Preferably copper ones, made of thick, good copper. Ideal - tinned (white, but copper inside). They oxidize less.

Technical issues

With an amplifier, the car audio system has higher power consumption. If with a conventional car radio the consumption is about 10 A, then when installing a subwoofer with an amplifier it can be up to 60 A. This must be taken into account when choosing equipment and when connecting the radio. When choosing, take a radio/amplifier of higher power (and with 4 channels); when connecting, take wires of a larger cross-section.

Set for connecting a subwoofer amplifier: two power cables, interconnect, control and acoustic

If your radio is connected normally, and you decide to add a subwoofer, it is better to replace the power wire with a thicker one. And the sound will be better (you can check), and the wires will heat up less. And you probably know what heating up the wiring in a car leads to.

When choosing a cable cross-section for supplying power to the amplifier, the total (total) power of the amplifier must be taken into account. It depends on the number of channels and the power it delivers to the channel.

Table for selecting the cross-section of power cables for connecting the amplifier

The amplifier specifications indicate the channel power. We take it and multiply it by the number of channels. For example, 30 W goes into a channel, we have four channels. The total power will be 30 W * 4 = 120 W. This is the number we use when selecting the cable cross-section. Next we use the table.

Installation of 2 way system

Installation of 2 component acoustics in the door

Installation of component acoustics is usually interested in those owners whose car has already been “plowed” a lot and the standard speakers are already literally “choking” from fatigue, or those motorists who are interested in high-quality reproduction from the very beginning.

What is important

Below are the basic rules that you will have to follow in advance:

  • First of all, you will need to throw away all the standard wires, and instead install silicone ones with a diameter of at least 5 mm.
  • It is better to solder the wire contacts themselves, and in no way twist them with your hands in the “old-fashioned” way.

Installing speakers in the door

This is the most popular operation today. Many owners do just this, because they know that such an installation of front speakers will only give positive results. Installing speakers in the door is quite simple and the playback effect does not suffer from this:

Note. The difficulty of installing speakers in a door depends on the number of unnecessary wires inside the door, free space for speakers, etc.

  • The speakers should always be attached strictly to the places intended by the vehicle manufacturer. Basically, these very places are prepared, but there is not enough room for normal-sized speakers to enter. And then we have to modernize and modify the doors.
  • There are owners who approach this issue with full responsibility and carry out complete vibration and noise insulation. There are also owners for whom installing podiums in the door seems like a sufficient improvement.

Algorithm for installing 2-way speakers in a car door:

  • We unscrew the fastenings of the podiums and standard speakers. We remove the connectors.
  • We install new 2-way speakers. We twist them tightly into the podiums.
  • We install the podiums in place.

Note. As mentioned above, this operation is ridiculously simple, but requires modifications, which everyone does as they need. Some people make or buy an acoustic board, on which they then place podiums with speakers (this gives an excellent effect, because the speakers practically do not vibrate). Others cover the inside and outside of the door with vibrating material. In short, there are many ways to achieve the best sound.

Connection

After studying the types and types, we move on to the question of how to connect a subwoofer to a car radio without an amplifier:

To start connecting an active subwoofer, first we find two inputs on the back panel of the car radio, then using a linear wire we connect the input of the head unit to the subwoofer input. Then we connect the power - to do this we stretch the power wire from the “plus” terminal of the battery to the subwoofer A “negative” » we connect the subwoofer and the battery with a wire. When connecting an active subwoofer to a car radio, it is necessary to install an additional (very important) component - a fuse. It should be installed near the battery itself. The installation diagram of a subwoofer without an amplifier is shown in the first picture of the article. When low-frequency sounds are played, the subwoofer's electrical power consumption increases significantly , as a result of this, the load on the elements supplying the on-board network of the machine increases. Therefore, for the safety of the power circuit, an additional capacitor is installed in the subwoofer power circuit

  • After connecting the subwoofer to the car radio, we proceed to setting up our speaker system
  • As a rule, the whole setup comes down to creating a limit for the upper limit of operation for the woofer, then choosing the correct oscillation phase for the speaker

Now, how to connect a subwoofer in a car without an amplifier, you usually have to completely redo the audio power system, so here is an approximate list of necessary purchases:

  • 5 meters 8AWG power cable(red)
  • 1 meter of cable 8 AWG black
  • 5 meters of control cable (thin) with a cross section of 0.75 mm
  • Fuse holder FH58
  • 40 Amp fuse
  • Interconnect cables
  • 2 meters of tubing
  • Terminals and ties

The circuit of the sound system is simple, so there is no point in describing it in full, see the first photo of this article:

  • The fuse is placed 10-15 centimeters from the battery, throw the power cable into the tube
  • All cables inside the cabin are laid under the carpet

Subwoofer terminals

How to connect a subwoofer in a car without an amplifier - see the designation of the outputs on the subwoofer:

  • +12V output is power (supplied only to the battery through a fuse)
  • REM is the control wire, it comes from the radio, and connects to a blue/white wire (for Pioneer car radios, if you have a different one, then see the radio connection instructions), which usually sticks out of the bundle of wires coming from the radio
  • The GND terminal is ground (negative wire)
  • LOW INPUT contact (under tulips) - RCA wires are connected (to the subwoofer from the radio, if any)
  • HI-INPUT contact - connect here if there are no RCA outputs on the radio

Now it’s clear how to connect a subwoofer to a car without an amplifier, all that remains is to wish you success in this matter; to better understand the topic, we recommend watching our training video.

choosing the right placement

Every room is different, and quality home theater connections depend on the choice of placement of speakers and other components.

Ideally, all speakers should be the same distance from the listener. This is rarely achievable in practice, but it is good if this condition is met at least for the front left and right speakers. If possible, they should be placed approximately at head level, 2-3 meters from the spectator seat.

Connecting an LG home theater, for example, requires installing front left, top left, right, top right, center, surround left, top left, right, top right speakers and a subwoofer.

The center speaker should be aimed directly at the seated listener at approximately head level. It would be a big mistake to place it on the floor well below the screen or somewhere above the TV, as this position will create the impression that voices are coming from the sky or from underground.

The rear speakers can be closer or further from the listener, but it's best to try placing them slightly higher and behind the listener's head. Again, you should try to keep the distances as equal as possible. There is no need to point the speakers directly at the listener, but rather turn them slightly towards the front of the room.

Subwoofers make good stands for indoor plants or coffee tables. It is advisable to install them at least a few centimeters from the walls, and not push them into a corner - this will cause low frequencies to become distorted and overestimated. The best place for a subwoofer is near the front speakers.

Sources:

https://autobryansk.info/kak-podkljuchit-sab-k-domashnemu-kinoteatru.html

What is an amplifier for?

The sound quality will depend on how well the connection is made. There are various options for installing a stereo sound or audio system in a car. So:

  • If you are not satisfied with the power of your car radio (see Compare car radios and choose the best) or the quality of the sound it produces, you can solve this issue with the help of an amplifier. Of course, this is not at all the same equipment that is used in sound systems that operate on a 220-volt power supply.
  • There is only one battery in a car, and two in a truck or bus - 12V each. Amplifiers for cars are designed for such a low-power network. How do they increase the existing voltage?
  • The fact is that a voltage converter is built into the car amplifier. Depending on the technical characteristics of a particular device, the converter, using a pulse, can increase the voltage from 12 to 100 volts. So, the amplifier independently provides itself with the required voltage.

Useful tips

To customize the sound, use additional software like Equalizer APO. This will allow you to change the volume level and adjust the balance of low frequencies. To change the volume level:

  • right-click on the image of the switched on speaker in the lower right corner;
  • select "Open sound options";
  • Use the slider to adjust the volume.

A few additional information:

  • It is recommended to install the sub in a place where there are no resonances;
  • cheap devices will play worse due to the quality of workmanship and the speakers used;
  • a high-quality woofer will play poorly if the sound settings are inaccurate;
  • lack of sound may be due to incorrect connection or music playback in Direct mode, which can be changed in the equalizer.

As a result, to add bass to the acoustics, you don’t need much time to pair the subwoofer with a computer or laptop. You just have to figure out its type and sequence of connection.


Watch this video on YouTube

Setting the speaker size

Enter your receiver's options menu and find the speaker setting. There should be a setting for the size of your front left and right speakers. Essentially less to do with the physical size of your speakers. It's more about bass management.

Set your speakers to "small" even if you are using floorstanding speakers. Since the setting for a "small" speaker will send low frequencies to the subwoofer. This is useful for three reasons:

This relieves the front speakers so they are focused on the mid and high frequencies.

This will allow your receiver to allocate more power to the mid and high frequencies.

This can prevent low frequencies from destroying the speakers.

How to connect a car subwoofer at home

Conclusion

Now you have enough knowledge to go to a specialized store yourself and go through all the procedures: purchases, consultations, connections and settings - on your own. If you are not burdened with financial difficulties, it would be better to purchase an active type device, and then you will not have questions about how to connect a subwoofer to a computer. However, if you want to save money, or the hidden talents of radio electronics have awakened in you, you can safely purchase components at a reasonable price and create a full-fledged speaker system with your own hands. In any case, with a subwoofer you are guaranteed a life with rich bass, a lot of pleasure and the indignation of your neighbors.

How to connect a car subwoofer to a stereo at home

Homemade active subwoofer for home.

On this page I will briefly tell you how to make an active subwoofer for an apartment or country house with your own hands based on a speaker for a car subwoofer. This design has been working in my city apartment for several years now and believe me, I really like the HOW IT SOUNDS!

Since childhood, I have had the impression that it is very difficult to make a correctly sounding speaker, and that to do this you need to be a great scientist in the field of calculating acoustic systems and sound waves - nevertheless, homemade products will work somehow, and you can achieve at least some quality sound with such methods is almost impossible.

However, later I was lucky to meet at work one very interesting man, a certain Igor Mikhailovich Golubyatnikov, who had previously professionally installed audio systems in cars on special orders in a specialized auto audio center.

He told me that there is nothing particularly difficult in the design and manufacture of acoustic systems, and especially in the manufacture of a subwoofer, and that it is not so difficult, and most importantly, you can get quite good results. Inspired by his instructions, I went to the Mitinsky radio market (in Moscow) and purchased a 12-inch FBX-12 car subwoofer speaker from Power Acoustik. Alas, for some reason I didn’t think of taking a photo of the speaker itself and the housing parts during the construction of the subwoofer. The following photo is taken from some other site:

This speaker came in a neat wooden box with metal corners,

which, after tearing out all the partitions from it, is now ideal for storing cans of paint:

The speaker specifications are printed on the lid of this box:

Design.

On the advice of Igor Mikhailovich, a circuit with a bass reflex was chosen. The housing calculation was made in the “GBL SpeakerShop” program, the data for the speaker was included on the package insert. According to the calculation, the required volume of the subwoofer housing was 120 liters.

The body is made of chipboard (bare, gray on both sides) 16mm thick. Each wall of the housing around the volume behind the speaker is made of such chipboard in three layers. The layers are glued together with PVA glue and additionally secured with self-tapping screws (so as not to wait for the glue to dry). In total, the wall thickness was almost 5 cm. The case is completely sealed, glued, and the cracks are “sealed” with PVA glue diluted with sawdust left over from the manufacture of the case walls.

The speaker itself, except for the mounting screws, is glued in with silicone sealant.

The bass reflex is made in the form of a slot, one wall of which was movable at the manufacturing stage to adjust the length of the bass reflex channel. After adjustment, the excess part of this wall was cut off, and the wall itself was glued into the body. Next, sanding, painting - and the body is ready:

Since the subwoofer is active, it was also necessary to provide space for an amplifier. Therefore, the case, in fact, is not just a hollow box, but consists of two compartments - a large one behind the speaker itself, and a small one in the back (10 centimeters thick). The compartments are separated from each other by a sealed partition, also made of three layers of chipboard. The wires from the speaker to the amplifier compartment pass through hermetically sealed seals.

Electrical part.

The speaker contains two independent windings, each with a resistance of 4 Ohms. Therefore, a circuit of two amplifiers was chosen, each of which operates on its own speaker winding, independently of the other. These amplifiers are combined only by the input signal (and supply voltage, of course).

Rating
( 1 rating, average 5 out of 5 )
Did you like the article? Share with friends:
For any suggestions regarding the site: [email protected]
Для любых предложений по сайту: [email protected]