How to Connect a Subwoofer to a Car Stereo Without an Amp?
If you are a music lover, you must know the value of a car subwoofer or car audio. Hooking up a car subwoofer with the stereo system can be tricky sometimes. The car subwoofers require a heavy external amplifier to work.
If you want to add a subwoofer to your stereo system but don’t have an amp, there are a few ways you can do it. Read the article below to execute the process successfully.
Can I Connect a Subwoofer to a Car Without an Amplifier?
Yup! there are many possible ways to connect a subwoofer to a car stereo without an amp, but the most common method is to wire the subwoofer directly to the head unit. Connecting the subwoofer with the head unit is easy but requires extra stereo wiring.
Another option is to purchase a line output converter (LOC). LOC ⁽¹⁾ will allow you to connect the subwoofer to the stereo without doing extra wiring. However, if you want the best sound quality, you will need to purchase an external amplifier (if you have a passive subwoofer) and wire it directly to the subwoofer.
This is the most complex and expensive way for a subwoofer connection to the car, but it will give you the best sound quality. However, read below to understand the whole process thoroughly.
5 Simple Ways to Connect the Subwoofer to a Car Stereo Without an Amp:
You can easily wire the subwoofer to a stereo system without using an amp in 5 simples steps:
Step 1. Disconnect the Car Battery to Prevent a Short Circuit:
Before making any changes to a stereo system, it is best to disconnect the car battery to prevent unwanted short circuits. Turn off your car’s ignition. Open your car’s hood and locate the negative terminal of the storm. Use a wrench to loosen the bolt and disconnect the cable.
Step 2. Disconnect Car Speakers:
You must access the car stereo head unit to wire the subwoofer. Begin by removing the existing speaker wires connected to the head unit. Once you have disconnected the cables, you can quickly pull out the head unit. It will give you room to follow the method without any hurdles.
Also, use a screwdriver to loosen the screws at the corners of the speaker grilles to withdraw their holdings and get access to the subwoofer’s terminals. Gently pull out the bass speaker and disconnect the wires.
Step 3. Wire Subwoofer to Car Stereo:
To wire a subwoofer to a car stereo without an external amp, you will need some speaker wire and a set of RCA cables. The RCA cables will come with your subwoofer and will be used to connect the subwoofer to the stereo. However, you will use the speaker wire to connect the subwoofer to the battery.
Start by connecting the speaker wire’s positive lead to the battery’s positive terminal. Then, connect the negative information from the speaker wire to a ground point on the car. You can use any metal part of the car that is not painted or covered in plastic.
Next, connect the RCA cables to the stereo’s pre-out jacks. These are usually labeled “subwoofer” or “sub out.” Then, connect the other end of the RCA cables to the inputs on the subwoofer.
Step 4. Reassemble Car Stereo System:
Now that you have wired the subwoofer to the stereo, you can reassemble the stereo system by following below steps:
- Replace the speakers and screw them back into place.
- Reconnect the battery and turn the ignition on to power the car’s audio system.
- The subwoofer should now be working correctly.
Note: You can also use an adapter for a perfect reassembling between the subwoofer & stereo system. Because it has the ideal wiring, making it easier for you to tally the wiring with a car stereo. However, you can still connect the subwoofer without an adapter. It will be a little more difficult for you to wire it without the adapter.
Step 5. Test the Subwoofer System:
Now that the subwoofer is wired to the stereo, you can test it to see if it’s working correctly. Put the speaker in the subwoofer box. Start by playing some music with heavy bass. If the subwoofer is working correctly, you should be able to hear the bass.
If the subwoofer gives an error, ensure all connections are tight and secure. In some cases, you may also need to provide the best settings on the stereo head unit. Consult the owner’s manual for more information.
Methods to Connect Subwoofer With Car Stereo Depending on Types:
There are generally two types of subwoofers that you can find in the market: active subwoofer and passive subwoofer. So, which one should you choose?
Active Subwoofers: An active subwoofer is a self-contained unit with a built-in amplifier. This type of subwoofer is easier to install because all you need to do is connect it to the stereo head unit.
Passive Subwoofers: A passive subwoofer does not have a built-in amplifier & needs an external amplifier to work. Passive subwoofers are more challenging to install but offer better sound quality.
However, connecting the subwoofer to a car stereo system without an external amp depends upon the subwoofer type:
Method for Active or Powered Subwoofer Connects:
- Remove the ground wire from the battery.
- Place the power fuse nearer to the battery. Attach one side of the power cable with the car battery and the other side with the subwoofer. Place the power cable inside the car’s carpet so that it doesn’t look bad or it doesn’t cause any damage.
- Gain access to the wiring harness.
- Do the same method for RCA Cables as you have done for the power cable in point 2. However, keep the power cables, and RCA wires separated to avoid misinterpretation.
- Keep the connection metal to metal to prevent any disruption.
Method for Passive Subwoofer:
This is a subwoofer that requires an external amplifier to work perfectly. You can connect it to a car sound system like regular speakers by following:
- Track the already installed speaker’s wirings.
- Compare the positive & negative wires of passive subs with the speakers and connect them.
- Please read the above section to move forward.
Note: Installing a passive sub without an amp would not give the best bass frequency, but still, you can enjoy your music.
General FAQs:
How Does a Car Subwoofer Work?
A car subwoofer is a type of loudspeaker designed to reproduce low-frequency sounds. These sounds are typically below the range of human hearing but can be felt and heard. You can use subwoofers with other speakers in a car’s audio system, such as tweeters and mid-range speakers.
The primary benefit of using a subwoofer is that it allows you to hear the low-frequency sounds that are typically drowned out by the other sounds in a car. This can include the engine’s rumble, the bass’s thump, and even the sound of tires on the road. A Subwoofer works significantly in a car to enhance your music experience.
How Do I Choose the Right Subwoofer for My Car?
Choosing the correct type of subwoofer for a car audio system is always tricky, as you must consider many things. Some points are below:
Size: You need to decide what size subwoofer you need. The size of the subwoofer will determine how much bass it can produce—the most commonly used subwoofer’s size is 10 inches. We have a guide on choosing the right size subwoofer for your car.
Type: You need to decide what kind of subwoofer you want. If you want an easy installation, go with an active subwoofer. If you’re looking for better sound quality, go with a passive subwoofer.
Power: You need to decide how much power your sub would need to work correctly. The battery’s power is directly proportional to the sub’s size—the more the size of your subwoofer, the more power the sub need.
Final Words:
Now that you know how to connect a subwoofer to a car stereo without an amp, you can enjoy your music with enhanced bass. Be sure to follow the instructions carefully to ensure a successful installation. I hope this article was helpful and informative. If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below. I’ll be happy to answer them. Thanks for reading!