When it comes to connecting a subwoofer to speakers, this often is a source of confusion. In order to help you connect a subwoofer to speakers, we have put together a guide that will explain the best ways of going about this task.
You can connect a subwoofer to the high (speaker) level connections with speaker wires or a speaker connector. Check the specifications on your subwoofer beforehand. Using high (speaker) level connections will use the same audio signal for other speakers allowing for more precisely-timed bass.
There are several reasons why you might want to connect your subwoofer to speaker-level outputs. Regardless of your reason for doing so, you can establish this connection with relative ease.
Then, you will use the subwoofer filter to adjust the bass effects as they are emitted through the single audio signal received by both the speakers and the subwoofer simultaneously. Let’s take a closer look.
Table of Contents
Why Connect a Subwoofer to Speaker Level Outputs?
Before we take a closer look at the steps to connect a subwoofer to speaker-level outputs, it is important to understand why you would ever be doing this in the first place.
After all, a subwoofer is designed for low-frequency audio emissions. Why would you want this to be timed with the same audio signal sent to the speakers at a high-level connection?
A subwoofer can be connected to speaker-level outputs by default when a subwoofer output connection is not available, such as on older receiver models. However, it can also be done intentionally when listening to music and seeking a more accurate, natural bass with no lag.
The thumping of a subwoofer can be a subtle art, or it can be a drastic explosion that can lift you out of your seat. Either way, when you are in your home theater, the use of a well-incorporated subwoofer can dramatically change the audio experience.
When you are watching a movie and streaming a subwoofer from a subwoofer output, you will inevitably be pleased with the bump of the bass that helps to carry out the special effects from the audio signal emitting low-frequency tones.
How to Connect a Subwoofer to Speaker Level Outputs
Now that you have a better idea of why you would ever connect a subwoofer to speaker level outputs (as opposed to the LFE subwoofer output connection) in the first place, it is time to take a closer look at how to do so.
By following these steps, you will be able to pair your subwoofer with your older receiver that does not have low-level outputs, and you can also use this intentionally when wanting a more well-timed musical bass performance.
1. Check the specifications on your receiver.
Before you begin attempting to connect your subwoofer to the speaker level outputs, you will need to check the specifications on your receiver. This will allow you to see what your options are regarding input and output audio connections.
If you are using a more recent receiver, you will likely find a dedicated subwoofer output. This is meant to connect the subwoofer and streamline the LFE audio signal geared specifically for the subwoofer’s bass emissions.
2. Check the specifications on your subwoofer
Now that you have checked the specifications on your receiver, it is important to check for the specifications on your subwoofer. Primarily, you are wanting to ensure that the connection you would like to establish is possible through the details on your sub.
With this, you will be looking for the input/output connection options. Specifically, you will want to see if the input connection has multiple components and if it is located on the front, back, or both sides of the subwoofer.
Typically, you will find a connection option on both the front and the back of the subwoofer, but this is not always the case.
Knowing what you are working with before you attempt to establish a connection can help to ensure minimal wasted cost as well as minimal wasted time in setting this up. Hopefully, once you know what you are working with, you can be well on your way to an easy setup.
3. Use two speaker wires to connect to the front and back of the sub
Once you have figured out what you are working with, you can choose one of two main options for connecting a subwoofer to speaker-level outputs.
These options include using two speaker wires to connect to the sub or using a speaker connector to do the same thing with a slightly different type of connection setup.
Likely, one of the most popular options is to use two speaker wires to connect to the front and the back of the subwoofer. You will establish this connection on the left and right audio channels.
To do this, you will run one of the speaker wires from the left and right audio channels to the front of the subwoofer- the way that you would normally connect your sub.
Then, you will run the other wire to the back of the subwoofer. From here, you will use the subwoofer’s filter to adjust the bass emission.
Conclusion
For those who want to extend the bass response of their already existing speakers without upgrading to expensive subwoofers, these are the best ways to go about it. More advanced setups like wireless connectivity will require some extra investments, but adding on a couple of quality pieces is very possible for everyone with an interest in high-quality audio.
FAQ:
Q: What is the best way to connect a subwoofer?
A: The best way to connect the sub is to get a subwoofer with a high level input and then run a set of speaker cables from the output of your receiver or power amplifier to those inputs. Subs today are generally powered so no need to get a passive one and I’d recommend against that.
Q: How do you hook up a subwoofer?
A: Connect Using Stereo RCA or Speaker Level Outputs . Sometimes a receiver or amplifier does not have the LFE subwoofer output, and sometimes the subwoofer doesn’t have the LFE input. Instead, the subwoofer might have right and left (R and L) stereo RCA connectors or spring clips like you see on the back of standard speakers.
Q: How to make your subwoofer or speakers wireless?
A: Step one: First of all,you have to link the source device’s audio outputs with the transmitter’s audio inputs. Step two: Connect the receiver with the wired device with the help of a speaker’s standard wire. … Step one: Connect the Subwoofer receiver’s output to the transmitter by using a tiny RCA cable.
Q: How to hook up a subwoofer to a stereo system?
A: Using an external crossover or PA management system Leveraging the active crossover that comes with a powered subwoofer By Setting up a Sub-Mix using the Mixing Console