How to connect a radio to a passive subwoofer without an amplifier in a car

Types of low-frequency audio speakers

A subwoofer is a sound speaker designed to reproduce improved quality of low frequencies that are not available to conventional audio speakers of standard car equipment. Subwoofers are divided according to their types:

The active subwoofer comes with a built-in power amplifier to remove low frequency loads from the main car audio amplifier. And also, its own crossover (a device for dividing frequencies into high, mid, low, etc.), which simplifies the coordination of the subwoofer with the acoustics of the standard radio.

A passive subwoofer does not have a separate (personal) power amplifier and is connected to standard speakers. Which, as a result, negatively affects the sound quality of the car's stereo system and causes additional overload on all output channels. As a result of this, the volume and dynamics of the sound decrease.

Scheme

Car subwoofer: types and design features

A subwoofer (SBV) is an acoustic system that converts low-frequency sound waves.

You don't need it to listen to most music tracks. A sub is needed for high-quality sound of low frequencies (bass).

Subwoofers come in two types:

Active - they already have a built-in power amplifier;
Passive - there is no amplifier and requires additional connection so that the output sound is clear without distortion or interference.

Connecting the Mystery subwoofer amplifier to the Pioneer radio in a VAZ 2114 car

How to connect a subwoofer to a radio without an amplifier according to the diagram below, in more detail.

First of all, we need installation tools and materials:

fuse.
capacitor.
electrical wire
pliers.
insulating tape.
adjustable and spanner wrenches.

Instructions for connecting the Mystery passive subwoofer to the Pioneer radio

The schematic diagram of low-frequency speakers of both active and passive types is almost the same, with the exception of small additions related to non-active subwoofers.

For this reason, we will analyze the general method and then make changes.

The process of turning on a car radio with a passive subwoofer is very simple: it is connected directly to the amplifier, which, in turn, is connected in series to the car player.

The role of the standard amplifier in this circuit is to transmit the signal received from the sound of the playback device (car radio) to speakers with high and low resolution frequencies. Where the subwoofer itself acts as a converter of low-frequency signals, and its satellites act as a converter of high-frequency signals.

Due to its rather large dimensions, the installation of the subwoofer is carried out mainly in the luggage compartment of the car and the power supply wires have to be pulled through the entire cabin to the battery. Which does not improve its (interior) appearance.

Not active subwoofer

You can connect a passive subwoofer to a radio without an amplifier in 4 steps.

Through the technological hole in the engine compartment we stretch the supply wire to the battery. We install a fuse on the positive (plus) wire closer to the battery.
We pull the wiring into the cabin and stretch it to the trunk, if possible disguising it under the interior trim parts.
We insert the wires through the finished technical hole (if necessary, we make it ourselves) into the trunk of the car. And we connect directly to the low-frequency speaker, according to the diagram (+ to +, - to -).

Connecting the subwoofer to the Pioneer radio via a single-core power (blue) wire and a wire with tulip connectors

Installing a subwoofer in a car

A subwoofer is an ordinary audio speaker, but it is quite large in size, and its primary task is to reproduce bass.
One speaker cannot reproduce all the necessary sounds. There is high-frequency sound, low-frequency sound and mid-frequency sound. Midrange and bass audio speakers are characterized by dense and clear bass. It is quite difficult to install such a system. It takes up quite a lot of space in the cabin, so it is very difficult to install a subwoofer, for example, in a sedan. There are active and passive car subwoofers. The passive model has only one audio speaker, which is built into a wooden body. This material improves sound quality. The passive subwoofer is devoid of any additional details. This is a regular speaker. It cannot be connected to a common multimedia system, because this can cause a short circuit.

How to connect a passive subwoofer to a radio in a car without an amplifier

Experts recommend that car owners connect any devices themselves. In this case, you will not have to pay a large amount to the car service employees for the service provided. To avoid unnecessary financial costs, you need to study in detail how to connect a subwoofer to a radio without an amplifier with your own hands.

Problems you may encounter when connecting

The following difficulties may occur when connecting the device:

A factory car radio usually does not have a special audio connector for an amplifier - this can be solved by purchasing a special adapter;
Setting and correlation of low and high frequencies with the main acoustics of the car.

Please note: to properly connect the subwoofer to the car radio, you must have basic knowledge of electrical engineering. Otherwise, it is better to contact a car service center for specialist help.

Required tools and materials

Before connecting a passive subwoofer (without an amplifier) to the radio, it is necessary to carry out several preparatory measures. They consist of finding or purchasing tools that will be needed during work. In addition, you should purchase quality materials.

Items you will need to connect:

plastic buffers (needed to hold the subwoofer frame in the luggage compartment of the vehicle);
speaker cables for switching;
plugs of different sizes (necessary for connecting the speaker system to the radio);
flexible clamps to protect cable connections from accidental contacts with equipment parts;
corrugated tube to protect laid wires;
electrical insulating tape made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC);
a plastic screwdriver that allows you to easily remove the car interior trim;
A side cutter that helps cut wires to the desired length.

Security measures

When installing a subwoofer and amplifier yourself, you must follow certain rules:

you cannot start work without removing the terminals from the battery;
do not forget about de-energizing all circuits to which the connection will be made;
use electrical insulating tape, corrugated tube, clamps to reliably protect all wire connections;
you must have only high-quality wiring;
do not allow sharp bends in the wires;
choose a fuse that matches the rating data of the connected devices;
securely fix the acoustic equipment in the car; nothing should move during operation.

By following the above safety precautions, you will not damage your vehicle and avoid the risk of fire.

Connection instructions

Before you begin, you need to understand what will happen if you connect a subwoofer without an amplifier, and whether you can quickly cope with the task. To do this, you should evaluate your own capabilities, as well as read reference literature. This will help you better prepare for work and avoid poor functioning of the connected equipment.

The process consists of the following steps:

Connecting a passive subwoofer begins with searching for the radio outputs. In most models they are located on the rear panel of the device.
Using a linear cable, the inputs of the car radio and subwoofer are connected.
From the positive terminal of the battery, lay the power wire to the subwoofer. The cable is pre-cut using a side cutter and passed through a special corrugated tube. It will protect it from damage and contact with other wires.
Similar actions are performed with the negative terminals.
Because The connection occurs via 2 plugs; it is recommended to connect an additional splitter.
A fuse is installed a few centimeters from the battery.
If you need to increase safety, an additional capacitor is connected to the power supply circuit of the subwoofer (passive).
At the next stage of work, all installed wiring is hidden behind the interior trim.
Then the speaker system is checked for functionality. To do this, it is turned on and configured according to the operating instructions.

How to make a subwoofer for a car?

Let's look at how to make a car subwoofer for your steel friend from ordinary speakers.

Materials and tools for work

To do this, you need to prepare the following materials in advance:

speaker - you should not use a used device; it is best to purchase a high-quality product with all the documents in the store;
protective grille;
good quality glue - epoxy is best;
a socket that facilitates connection;
fiberglass;
wire having a diameter of 3 mm;
brush;
plywood;
chipboard sheet, the thickness of which corresponds to 16 mm;
self-tapping screws and nuts, which are used in the woodworking industry;
bolts;
polyethylene;
universal putty;
masking tape.

To work we will need the following tools:

drill or screwdriver;
jigsaw for wood.

Design

How to make a subwoofer from ordinary speakers with your own hands:

We select a high-quality speaker. The more power it has, the louder the sound will be.
Let's move on to designing the subwoofer box - similarly, you can use special software. Since we are building a subwoofer for a car, we will need a box with the highest efficiency, or it is also called a level 6 bandpass.

Important! The sixth level bandpass looks like a cubic rectangular object, inside of which there is one jumper. Our speaker will be fixed to it. In addition, such a bandpass has two holes, thanks to which bass reflex cameras are installed. In the absence of cameras, various tubes can be used. For example, tubes made of metal, polyethylene or just paper are quite suitable.

It is very important that the housing is completely sealed. To do this, we use felt, foam rubber or ordinary cotton wool. The sealant layer inside should be about two centimeters.
The roof of the subwoofer must have a removable structure and have high strength at the joint. Therefore, we use a layer of foam rubber and further strengthen the structure.

Important! The computer utility WinlSD 0.44 helps to correctly prepare all sizes. Based on the speaker's capabilities, it will calculate the optimal values for your case. Your task in this case is to clearly and competently translate the provided figures into reality. The sound in this case will meet all expectations. It comes out clean and loud.

Subwoofer space

Now we need to find a place for our subwoofer. The most ideal option is to install it in the wing, but whether it’s right or left is up to you to decide. Some cars have a special configuration in the right wing, and there is more space for installing a subwoofer.

Important! When choosing an average speaker, a minimum of 28 liters of volume will be required for its normal functioning. The configuration and volume of the box itself is large, but this is not so important.

How to make a subwoofer for a car at home:

We line the trunk with plastic wrap, then cover the trim with masking tape in two layers.
We cut the fiberglass into pieces that correspond to dimensions of 200×200.
We dilute epoxy glue. To do this, mix a can of resin and a can of hardener.

Important! If you take more than the recommended amount of one of the proposed substances, the glue will become thick very quickly, and you will not be able to work with it efficiently. The ideal ratio is 1:1.

Lubricate the cut pieces with epoxy glue and overlap them with tape.
We cover the back wall of a self-made subwoofer with fiberglass. To do this, you need to lay three or even four layers of material.
During the day, let the product dry completely.
The next day we remove the resulting shell. Its thickness will need to be increased outside the trunk.
Now we proceed to the bottom of the subwoofer, the top of which is made in the form of loops.
We attach the front wall with self-tapping screws.
The joints should be coated with epoxy glue.

Fine work

After the body of the homemade subwoofer has been designed, it is necessary to prepare it for the acoustic terminal, or the so-called speaker. On one of its walls, which are located on the side, it is necessary to mark the point of the future hole. This can be done by using an ordinary school compass.

Important! Subwoofers for a car with powerful sound are obtained when it is shielded with a small box. This is no longer the realm of homemade subwoofer construction, but a real version of art. This eliminates various overtones that may arise due to the rather flimsy design of the acoustic terminal.

How to make a car subwoofer complete and ideal in appearance and sound:

We process the previously made square-shaped box with PVA glue and screw it using self-tapping screws to the side where the hole was cut out.
Now we use a plane, which we use to cut off all the protruding edges of the body.

Important! In addition to the above skills, in this case you must have the skill of a carpenter, otherwise you will not be able to cope with such a task.

There is a jumper inside our box. Next, using an electric jigsaw, cut a hole in the front panel.
In this place we install the speaker, which is attached using self-tapping screws and glue.

Important! If you decide to purchase high-quality speakers for your car, we recommend using the information on how to choose speakers for your car.

Protective measures

When everything is ready, do not rush and immediately connect the homemade device. The creation must be protected from condensation and moisture. Moisture has a destructive effect on wood, and our creation contains a thin sheet of chipboard.

To secure and protect the case, it should be impregnated with a special nitro varnish, which is used in the furniture industry. In addition, it is imperative to impregnate the inside of the front panel.

Important! This procedure must be carried out in an open space to prevent varnish poisoning.

Useful tips

To properly connect a passive subwoofer to your car, you need to take into account the recommendations of car service professionals. They will help beginners avoid various difficulties and get the job done as efficiently as possible.

When connecting a capacitor, be sure to take into account the polarity. Otherwise, the device may perform its functions poorly or fail altogether.
After connecting the two devices, you should check the quality of the contact. To do this, carry out a visual inspection and identify any defects. If any kinks or damage to the protective layer is detected, it is necessary to isolate the problem area.
The fuse used must comply with all operating parameters of the connected equipment.
Car owners are often faced with the problem of poor alignment between the various characteristics of the radio and subwoofer (for example, frequency indicators). In this case, it is recommended to adjust the parameters not on the car player, but on the control panel of the subwoofer.
All work must be carried out only with the engine turned off. In addition, all electrical equipment should be turned off.
When installing a speaker system, it is recommended to use only high-quality wiring. Otherwise, it will quickly fail, which will lead to various problems with the operation of the equipment.

Connecting a subwoofer to a radio without an amplifier is considered a difficult job. To complete it, you need to strictly follow the correct procedure and avoid the slightest inaccuracies. Only in this case will the device work well and please the vehicle owner.

How to make a subwoofer for a computer?

Self-manufacturing of a subwoofer is carried out in several stages:

selection of materials;
body design;
subwoofer assembly.

Let's look at all these stages in more detail.

Important! To make it easier for you to decide on the choice of speakers, pay attention to our ready-made rating of computer speakers.

Selection of materials

How to make a subwoofer at home? When starting all work, there must be a diagram and the necessary materials for making the body must be selected. In order to make a subwoofer with your own hands, you need to purchase in advance:

speaker - selected based on your needs;
plugs - help connect the speaker to the player; they must perfectly match the connectors of your device;
wires - used to connect the subwoofer;
plywood with a multilayer base;
trimmings of plumbing pipe;
wood screws, which can be from the smallest to 50 mm in length;
wooden blocks having different sections, which can be from 20x20 mm or more;
silicone sealant;
hard foam rubber or felt;
PVA glue;
dye.

Having prepared the necessary materials, you should collect the required tools:

a hacksaw for wood, which would have fine teeth;
chisel;
electric drill;
file;
jigsaw;
compass;
a simple pencil;
iron ruler;
screwdriver;
screwdriver;
sandpaper - from coarse to “zero”.

Housing design

We begin to design the housing of the future subwoofer. To do this, we use a computer and a speaker, which serves as the “heart” of the subwoofer.

Important! In this case, it is very important to have data on all the technical characteristics of the speaker. These include total quality factor, free space resonance frequency, and equivalent volume. All these values are present in the passport data.

We download a special program to the computer device. We enter all the speaker data into the software product. Based on the values provided, the program will calculate the optimal dimensions of the subwoofer box for you.

Important! The WinISD 0.44 program is capable of designing 4 types of subwoofers. The most optimal box, which is capable of operating with maximum efficiency, is a bandpass. The speaker of such a device is attached to a jumper located inside the box. This subwoofer is equipped with two chambers and two bass reflexes. To make a bass reflex, you can use trimmings of a plumbing pipe. The program can calculate the length on its own, but you must specify the diameter value.

Now let's proceed directly to designing the subwoofer box itself. All actions should be carried out slowly, since the slightest inaccuracy in measurements can cause inconvenience, and the whole work will have to start all over again.

Subwoofer assembly

Before you begin assembling the subwoofer, you need to cut out the box. How to make a subwoofer for your home with your own hands:

Using a ruler and pencil, we draw the contours of the future box on a sheet of plywood.
We cut the plywood sheet using a hacksaw or jigsaw with a speed controller.

Important! You should cut slowly, without rushing, because if you rush, the plywood can delaminate, which will negatively affect the sound quality of the subwoofer in the future.

To ensure that all edges are perfectly smooth and even, we clean them with special care with a file and sandpaper.
We attach the walls of the subwoofer to each other with bars, so you need to set aside the required length of the bars.
We cut a hole for the speaker. The speaker will be located inside the subwoofer.
In the jumper between the chambers, draw a circle with a compass, having a diameter slightly larger than the speaker diffuser.
The edges must be perfectly even and smooth; to do this, we clean them with a file and sandpaper.

Important! When processing with a file, it should be held at a slight angle to avoid delamination of the plywood.

The walls of the subwoofer will be attached with the help of bars, so we measure the appropriate length of the bars.

Important! The program indicates the places where two holes should be cut - they are used for bass reflexes.

Solder the wires and necessary connectors to the speaker. The locations for attaching the wires can be found in the speaker instructions itself.
We attach the speaker to the resulting hole. We make a mark for attaching the speaker to the sheet and drill.

Important! It is best to attach the speaker with special double-sided nuts, which are used in furniture production.

Now let's start assembling the subwoofer housing. How to make a subwoofer for a computer? We insert a drill into the drill, the diameter should be two times smaller than the diameter of the screws used.
We begin to drill at those points where the wall will be attached to other walls and bars.
Now let's use glue. At the junction points of the bars and walls, apply a generous layer of glue. It helps to perform two functions - increasing the strength of the body and sealing joints.
We connect the walls with self-tapping screws. We screw them in all the way, since the strength in the design of the subwoofer housing is critical. The corners must be straight.
Attach the speaker. At the junction of the speaker and the wall you need to coat it with sealant.
We drill an outlet hole through which the wires will pass.
We pull the wires through the hole and cover the hole with sealant.
Next we move on to soundproofing. The inside of the cabinet must be covered with sound-absorbing material, which contributes to the “softness” of the subwoofer’s bass. The presence of such material reduces the pressure on the walls.
We attach the back wall.

In principle, the designed subwoofer is ready. The final touch is to check the build quality. We turn on the music and check for any extraneous sounds or noises.

Important! If you want to give your product a beautiful appearance, the plywood can be painted in the appropriate color or covered with fabric.

Types of subwoofers

Car woofers equipped with a custom housing can have a built-in amplifier or are connected directly to the car radio. The use of an additional amplifier allows you to relieve the head unit. To perform adjustments across frequency ranges and match the signal with other acoustic devices, a separate crossover is placed. The subwoofer volume is adjusted using a separate rotary potentiometer mounted on the body of the product.

The equipment is also divided into several varieties according to the design and configuration of the housing, which is made of plywood or other wood-based material.

The design has a special bass reflex, which provides expansion of the frequency range due to the resonance effect. There are designs of low-frequency devices in which the loudspeaker is placed on a dividing partition inside the housing.

The passive subwoofer is connected through the rear speaker connectors or to special plugs located on the head unit. Such a switching scheme increases the load on the electronics of the radio and negatively affects the operation of the components of the car's acoustic system. But since equipment without an amplifier has a low price, car owners are interested in the question of whether it is possible to connect a subwoofer while minimizing loss of sound quality.

Options for connecting a subwoofer to a computer

Most often we have to deal with subwoofers that are part of speaker systems of different configurations - 2.1, 5.1 or 7.1. Connecting such devices, since they are designed to work in conjunction with a computer or DVD player, usually does not cause difficulties. It is enough to determine which connector this or that type of speaker is connected to.

What will you need?

To install a passive subwoofer without an amplifier yourself you will need:

speaker cables required for switching;
plastic buffers to hold the woofer housing in the luggage compartment of the car;
plastic screwdriver for removing plastic interior trim;
side cutters for cutting cables;
plugs needed for connection;
PVC tape or protective tube;
flexible clamps;
protective corrugated tube for laying cables.

Before starting installation work, you should make sure that the purchased equipment is compatible. Connecting speakers with inappropriate coil resistance causes the radio amplifier to overload, which damages the device. If the player has a security code, you need to make sure it is there. Otherwise, after connecting the battery to the on-board network, it will not be possible to restore the radio’s functionality.

Connection instructions without amplifier

The location of the subwoofer depends on the car model and the design of the subwoofer. The equipment is placed in the luggage compartment and is kept from moving by stops attached to the floor covering. There are devices located under the front passenger seat. Flush-mounted subwoofers have reduced dimensions, allowing the device to be placed in a narrow cavity under the chair. During installation, it is necessary to take into account the location of the ventilation ducts and electrical cables of the standard seat heating system.

An acoustic double interconnect cable of the RCA standard is laid through the car interior along the standard electrical harnesses. To ensure protection of the cord, a corrugated sleeve is used, which is laid along the thresholds of the car. From above, the highway is covered with carpet floor covering and plastic cladding. At the ends of the cable it is necessary to install connectors intended for connection to the head unit and subwoofer.

A number of radios are equipped with a standard cable harness, which has a round connector for connecting a subwoofer. Since the equipment is connected via 2 plugs, it is necessary to use an additional splitter. The product is placed next to the speaker, an RCA cable is laid through the interior, but only 1 branch is used. The “tulips” at the end of the splitter are connected to the connectors of the low-frequency speaker.

To connect a passive subwoofer to the rear outputs of the radio, you should combine the outputs into a common circuit. Equipment with a power lower than the total output of the channels is connected to the rear speaker outputs. For example, Pioneer head players equipped with a 4-channel amplifier with a power of 50 W per stream allow the use of a woofer of no more than 70 W.

To ensure the functioning of the subwoofer, you must enable the required operating mode through the menu of the head unit. User can select normal or reverse phase mode. After selecting the required parameter, the settings are saved to the radio's memory. When you turn off the power or press the special reset button, the memory is cleared and the setting will need to be repeated again.

The cutoff frequency is separately regulated, which is selected from a range of values. The number of valid options depends on the modification of the player. To ensure rich sound, a high-pass filter is configured, which stops the transmission of the corresponding sounds through the standard front and rear speakers. Head units use a parameter for additional bass boost; the value is selected from a step range.

Since direct connection does not provide high quality sound reproduction, it is recommended to connect low-frequency speakers through an additional amplifier. The equipment is connected to the head unit with an additional signal cable, through which a switching pulse is sent. To power the amplifier, it is necessary to lay a separate line to the battery, providing it with a fuse installed in a special housing. It is prohibited to connect the amplifier to the side lighting or interior lighting circuits.

Choosing a speaker for a subwoofer in a car

10-inch woofer Often, car subwoofers use speakers ranging in size from 6 to 15 inches. We will focus on the most optimal and popular options - these are 10 and 12 inch speakers.

Why this particular size? Speakers under 10 inches are most often used for extra bass and front bass, and are unlikely to make a good subwoofer. Speakers as small as 15 inches are used in car audio competitions. A subwoofer with such a speaker has a volume of up to 90 liters and will not fit in every car. In addition, it greatly distorts the sound.

There is no consensus on what power speaker to choose. But one thing is for sure - the maximum power of the speakers must exceed the maximum power of the amplifier. If the speaker is operated at maximum volume for a long time, this will lead to sound distortion and noise. It's better to keep a balance.

If you do not plan to take part in competitions, we recommend choosing 10-12 inch speakers. A homemade box for a 12-inch speaker has a volume of 40-50 liters and will fit in any trunk.

This type of subwoofer requires a special amplifier. Such a device receives the corresponding signals from the system, and then sends them to the subwoofer, which produces low frequencies. An active subwoofer already has its own amplifier. It can be directly connected to a multimedia system and enjoy excellent sound. You will not need to additionally buy and connect an amplifier. But active subwoofers have one drawback - they are much more expensive than their passive counterparts.

Before connecting the subwoofer, you must remove the terminal from the battery. Then you need to connect the most important wiring, the connector for which is located between the engine and the car dealership. The wire must be passed through as carefully as possible, and then clamped directly under the hood.

An active subwoofer, as a rule, has a pair of outputs, which provide the ability to connect directly to the system. For this purpose you need to use a special cord. In general, installing a car subwoofer will not cause any particular difficulties.

We connect a subwoofer without an amplifier to a car

Diagram for connecting a subwoofer to a radio without an amplifier

How to connect a subwoofer in a car without an amplifier to a radio is possible on your own, and it is not at all necessary to resort to expensive car services. This is possible if you purchased an “active” subwoofer (not to be confused with a passive one, which will definitely need an amplifier), then our instructions will be useful to you, you just need to strictly follow the rules listed below and follow safety precautions, then you will be able to enjoy loud music of good quality, and very soon.

Types of subwoofers

First, in order not to get confused in the varieties and categories, let's consider them all in order:

An active subwoofer is a subwoofer that has a power amplifier (it is built-in and allows you to remove all the low-frequency load from your amplifier) plus an active crossover; it allows you to filter out high frequencies on it yourself, which simplifies coordination with wideband sound systems
It can receive line level signals (with RF already removed) from a separate channel
It can be connected between the signal source and the broadband speaker (the so-called “pass-through” connection)
Often it has additional features to easily adjust it to specific conditions of use (for example, phase rotation or frequency response adjustment, adjusting the position of cutoff points and crossover slope), connecting such a subwoofer to a car without an amplifier is as easy as shelling pears
A subwoofer that is not equipped with a power amplifier is called passive; it is connected only “in parallel” with the main speakers, or to a separate channel from the power amplifier
The main disadvantage of a pass-through connection with a passive subwoofer is that it creates additional load on the stereo output amplifiers
Sometimes this reduces the overall volume, as well as the dynamic sound of the entire audio system
In addition, the appearance of a passive crossover along the signal path going from the sound amplifier to the speaker system does not have a positive effect on sound quality
And due to the lack of any means of adjustment, a passive subwoofer is very demanding in terms of placement indoors; to configure it and get surround sound, you will have to move it to “find” good bass
How to install a subwoofer in a car without an amplifier, if it is passive - only through an amplifier, there is no other way

Subwoofer Types

Now let's move on to the types, the price of each type is different:

Horn loaded type subwoofer, their horn is usually folded (folded horn), these are used exclusively at concerts
A completely closed box is a type of acoustic design when there are no additional emitters, and the low-frequency speaker is installed on the wall of a closed box, how to make one like this - there are many articles on the Internet, due to the simplicity of the design
A bass reflex (vented box) is a type of design using outputs in the form of specially tuned tubes from which air comes out, thus emitting sound from the rear lobe of the diffuser
The size of the bass reflex is selected depending on the parameters of the speaker, the volume of the case, as well as the frequency to which the speaker is tuned
Above its tuning frequency, the bass reflex will prevent excessive swinging of the diffuser in the speaker, while the sound waves that come from the back side of this speaker, passing through the bass reflex, change phase and add up with the waves coming from the front side
Is it possible to connect a bass reflex to a car - it is possible if it is active (has a built-in amplifier)
At the desired tuning frequency, vibrations of the diffuser itself are minimal, most of the sound energy is emitted by the bass reflex
The use of a bass reflex allows us to increase efficiency when compared with a closed enclosure, significantly increases the speaker's output at low frequencies, and sometimes allows us to expand its frequency range
The radiator is passive (also known as passive radiator), the design type is actually akin to a bass reflex
Another (additional) homemade diffuser is installed in the subwoofer box, which does not have a voice coil or a magnetic system at all.
And the sound wave that comes from the membrane of such a passive radiator is summed with the wave from the subwoofer
By adjusting the size and weight of the diffuser of our passive radiator, we can adjust the lower operating frequency for the subwoofer
CVR (expanded - quarter-wave resonator, English - quarter wave box), acoustic design in the form of a tunnel of a certain length and with a certain cross-section
In CVR there is no such parameter as volume, only the cross-sectional area and length of the tunnel are important here
CVR provides output that is 20-40% higher than from a bass reflex and 150-300% higher than from a closed box
Bandpass (aka bandpass, English - bandpass) is a bass-reflex box, which is divided in the middle by an additionally inserted wall into two chambers of different volumes
The speaker is placed on the partition between the cameras
The efficiency of this design is higher than that of a conventional bass reflex
The very name bandpass (meaning passband, or bandpass filter) comes from the ability of the case to automatically limit the characteristics of the subwoofer

There are 3 types of bandpasses: 4th category, 6th category type-A and 6th category type-B:

The fourth category is a box with two different chambers and a single bass reflex located in the upper chamber
And the sixth category, type-A, is a box with two separate chambers, where there are two bass reflexes, one for each chamber and they are configured in their own way
This type is quite complicated both in design and configuration.
Type -B, sixth category, is a box that has two different chambers and two bass reflexes, one for each chamber, while the bass reflex in the lower chamber looks into the upper chamber, and it turns out that the upper bass reflex is common to both cameras

Subwoofer and its ins and outs

The presence of a bass driver is mandatory in any multi-channel speaker system. Without this component it is impossible to call the sound complete. If a subwoofer is very important in a set of stationary speaker systems, then in a car it is even more necessary.

Bass speakers are usually divided into active and passive. Let's break them down piece by piece:

The active version of the bass driver is a wooden case, inside of which several components are assembled. This is an amplifier, filter, emitter;
When connecting to a car radio, the active bass driver does not need a separate amplifier, since the built-in one is satisfactory in most cases;

Active woofer

This very built-in amplifier is located, as a rule, on the back side of the box and has separate adjustments: for volume, strength and depth of the bass output;
Most car owners prefer to buy an active sub, as it takes up less space and is compact. If you manage to purchase a “underseat” version of such a bass driver, then it can be easily installed under the driver’s seat, leaving the trunk completely free.

Note. Passive types of bass drivers in the case are much larger in size than active ones.

On the other hand, active subwoofers, although more popular, lose out due to the smaller size of the cabinet (which negatively affects the power and sound amplification) and the low quality of the amplifier built inside the box.

Now consider a passive bass driver:

It is a box in which one or more low-frequency emitters are placed. They must be connected to an amplifier, but an external one, which will need to be purchased separately;

Passive type of woofer with two drivers

The choice of amplifier in this case is as important as the choice of the bass player itself. It is the amplifier that will take on half the sound function;
It is recommended to first buy a low-frequency speaker, and then select a box (make it yourself) and a corresponding power amplifier based on its characteristics.

Note. This scenario has many advantages. The owner himself chooses the size and shape of the box, the location of the woofer, the body material and much more.

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 find two inputs on the rear panel of the car radio, then use a linear wire to 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
And we connect the subwoofer and battery with the “negative” 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 for a subwoofer without an amplifier is shown in the first picture of the article.
When low-frequency sounds are reproduced, the subwoofer's consumption of electrical power increases significantly, as a result of which the load on the elements powering 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.

Attention: The capacitor must be connected to the power circuit taking into account the polarity.

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

Important: The main problem that any car enthusiast who connects a subwoofer system will face is poor matching of the amplitude-frequency characteristics of the mid-frequency speakers and the subwoofer. At the junctions of the frequency response, the result is either an increase in the level or a decrease in it, so some subwoofers already have an option that makes it possible to adjust the boundary level for the upper frequency. If your subwoofer has such a function, be sure to set it up; if you are just purchasing a sub, choose one with this option right away.

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

Important: Thoroughly check the ground contact (this is the negative terminal) on both the subwoofer and the radio.

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

Attention: You must follow safety rules when connecting the subwoofer to the radio, do not work with the engine running!

Tip: Do not confuse an active subwoofer with a passive one; to avoid problems, connecting a passive subwoofer requires installing an amplifier.

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.

Connecting the positive cable

Clean the ends of the power cable and install the terminals. The shape and size of the terminals are selected according to the shape of the connectors where you will connect them. And also take into account the cable cross-section.

The terminals are crimped. You can crimp with regular pliers. With the exception of special ones, which require the presence of pliers with jaws of a certain shape. But it’s hardly worth buying these for one-time use.

An example of connecting the power cable for a subwoofer to a battery

So, we placed the bare conductor in the terminal so that there were several millimeters of insulation in the grip. That is, when you crimp the terminal, the bare wire should not peek out from under the terminal. If you have a soldering iron, it is better to solder the wire to the pad and then crimp it. But the conditions are the same - bare wires do not stick out from under the terminal.

Selecting a fuse rating for connecting 12 V to a subwoofer (or amplifier)

Then, at a distance of 15–20 cm from the edge that you will connect to the battery, make a cut and install the fuse. Take a fuse for 12 V, and for the current that is supposed to pass. For an active subwoofer it is selected depending on the power, if not specified or not included.

We pull the cable into the cabin through the standard hole in the bulkhead. It must be protected with a plastic or rubber pad. We monitor its condition and the condition of the insulation of the wires that are already there. We pull the cable around the cabin so that it is unlikely to be damaged. It's best in the center of the cabin.

We fasten it with plastic clamps and fix it often, especially in places of turns. But it’s better to postpone fixing until you’ve also laid out the speaker wires. They will have to be pulled from the radio also to the amplifier or subwoofer.

Types of low-frequency audio speakers

Subwoofer is a sound column created to reproduce improved quality of low frequencies that are not available to conventional audio speakers of standard car equipment. Subwoofers are divided according to their types:

The active subwoofer comes with a built-in amplifier to remove low frequency loads from the main car audio amplifier. And also, its own crossover (a device for dividing frequencies into high, mid, low, etc.), which simplifies the coordination of the subwoofer with the acoustics of the standard radio.

Scheme

Connecting the Mystery subwoofer amplifier to the Pioneer radio in a VAZ 2114 car

Subwoofer bass without amplifier

Video about the subwoofer

on dynamics with increased sensitivity. I was surprised by the increased sound pressure for.

How to connect and configure two-way without an amplifier. DIY car audio

How to connect

and
set up
two-way
without an amplifier
. DIY car audio Music from the video here.

How to connect a subwoofer to a radio without an amplifier according to the diagram below, in more detail.

First of all, we need installation tools and materials:

fuse.
capacitor.
electrical wire
pliers.
insulating tape.
adjustable and spanner wrenches.

Instructions for connecting the Mystery passive subwoofer to the Pioneer radio

The schematic diagram of low-frequency speakers of both active and passive types is almost the same, with the exception of small additions related to non-active subwoofers.

For this reason, we will analyze the general method and then make changes.

The process of turning on a car radio with a passive subwoofer is very simple: it is connected directly to the amplifier, which, in turn, is connected in series to the car player.

Not active subwoofer

You can connect a passive subwoofer to a radio without an amplifier in 4 steps.

Through the technological hole in the engine compartment we stretch the supply wire to the battery. We install a fuse on the positive (plus) wire closer to the battery.
We pull the wiring into the cabin and stretch it to the trunk, if possible disguising it under the interior trim parts.
We insert the wires through the finished technical hole (if necessary, we make it ourselves) into the trunk of the car. And we connect directly to the low-frequency speaker, according to the diagram (on, to -).

Connecting the subwoofer to the Pioneer radio via a single-core power (blue) wire and a wire with tulip connectors

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Installing a subwoofer and connecting it to the radio

List of required components and their functions:

Power cable. Provides high-quality operation of the amplifier in the car.
Acoustic cable. Performs the function of delivering an audio signal from an amplifier to passive speakers.
Bulb with fuse. Protects the power wire from short circuit.
Battery terminals. Simplifies the connection of power cables to the battery and car body.
RCA connector (“bell”, “tulip”). The best option for transmitting an audio signal from a car radio to a device for power amplification.

To install any subwoofer you will need:

kitchen knife;
pliers;
electrical insulating tape;
cable tie;
fuse;
capacitor;
ready set of wires;
wrenches (including adjustable wrenches).

Subwoofer installation location

The location for installing the subwoofer directly depends on the vehicle model. Conventionally, there are three main classes of cars: sedan, minivan, convertible. Each of the three types must be considered separately.

Installing a subwoofer in a sedan. The sound system can be located in the armrest in the rear seat or on the rear parcel shelf. The first option is considered preferable and more convenient.
People who own a minivan/hatchback do not have to worry about choosing a place to install the subwoofer; a large luggage compartment will be the best place.
Big problems can arise if you have a convertible, as there is a lack of free space. But with a strong desire, everything is possible. The subwoofer can be installed on the rear shelf.

To do this, you will need to make a flat stealth case.

In other words, installing a speaker system in any car is possible. You need to approach the organization of the process competently, do the work slowly, and make the right choice of woofer.