How to Install a Powered Subwoofer to a Factory Stereo?

Why Should You Prefer a Powered Sub over a Passive One?

Before we go further, let me appreciate your choice by telling you the reasons to have a powered subwoofer for your car. A powered subwoofer offers greater flexibility and control than its passive counterpart, allowing you to change the sound quality more efficiently and quickly.

Powered subwoofers allow for accurate bass reproduction, which can significantly affect the overall tone of your car stereo. Rather than needing to purchase an external amplifier and other components along with a passive subwoofer, a powered subwoofer comes with an integrated amplifier.

All you need to do is plug it in and start adjusting the settings. I must say that you can quickly get a better bass sound without spending a lot.

10 Steps to Connect a Powered Sub to Factory Stereo Successfully:

By following all the points, you can successfully make a connection between your car factory head unit and the subwoofer. Each step is crucial, so follow them carefully:

1. Get the Right Tools:

First, you must use the right tools to set up your subwoofer. Getting all the right tools on the first approach may reduce your installation time. Look for the below list:

• Amp wiring kit
• Screwdriver
• Right-sized fuse
• Power wire
• Ground wire
• Remote turn on wire
• Line Output Converter (LOC)
• Mobile flashlight
• Speaker wires
• RCA cables

These are standard components, most of which come with your audio setup. However, arranging them in the first place won’t disturb your progress.

2. Turn off the Car Ignition and Remove the Battery Connections:

Before making any changes to your electrical components in the car, it is necessary to turn off the car ignition. However, you can turn it on again after you connect your powered subwoofer to the factory stereo. Moreover, removing battery connections can prevent any electrical damage to you or your electrical devices in the car. So, it’s a great idea to remove the battery terminal connections of your vehicle before you start making the connection.

3. Place Your Car Sub Correctly:

Placing your car subwoofer before connecting it with your factory stereo is essential. Depending on the size and type of subwoofer, how you position it can significantly affect how impactful and accurate its sound is. Also, proper positioning of your car subwoofer can help you in many ways, including easily customizing the settings and saving your car’s space. Here are some tips for positioning your car sub correctly:

• Place the car sub in the center of your vehicle. Center placement will provide an even sound and is the most aesthetically pleasing placement.
• If you want to emphasize bass frequencies, place the car sub towards the rear of your vehicle. There, you will get a deeper and more vibrant sound.
• Place the car sub close to the ground for a better connection with the floor of your vehicle. Moreover, it can also help you minimize any repercussions from the doors.
• Ensure you leave enough space around your car sub so it can move freely when playing bass-heavy music. This will help create a fuller sound as well as reduce distortion.

4. Install Power Wire From Battery Point to the Sub:

You must run a power wire to connect your powered subwoofer to the factory stereo correctly. The most efficient way to do this is using quality power cables and connectors that can withstand the high current delivery needed for your subwoofers.

Also, keep the power wires separated from your audio cables, as this will prevent the subwoofer from making a buzzing noise. Here are the steps to properly install a power wire from the battery point to your subwoofer.

• First, determine which type of power wire you need for your installation. The power cables must handle the wattage and current needs of your subwoofers. Once you have selected the proper wire, measure and cut it to size, so it fits perfectly between the battery point and the subwoofer.
• Route the power cable from the battery point to the subwoofer under the floor’s carpet along a safe path. Make sure there are no obstructions that could cause a problem with the power supply. There should be a hole under the dashboard (routing to your car’s bonnet, where your battery is placed). You can use your mobile flashlight or torch to look for the hole.

5. Use a Fuse on the Power Cable:

Another important thing that you should consider is using a proper fuse ⁽¹⁾ on the power cable before connecting it to your car’s battery. It can save you from many technical damages to your car stereo system. Follow the below points to do so:

• Locate the appropriate size and type of fuse for your particular vehicle application from an auto parts store or online source.
• Attach the fuse to one end of the power wire and connect it to the positive terminal of your car battery.
• Ensure the connections are secure and insulated with electrical tape or heat shrink tubing.

6. Ground Your Car-Powered Subwoofer:

As the car sub has featured in an amplifier, it also has the option to ground the subwoofer. Grounding your powered subwoofer in the car is essential to ensure that it functions appropriately and performs optimally.

It must be a blue wire for most factory setups. It protects the system from damage and provides a clean, rich sound quality you can enjoy while driving. Here’s how to do it:

• Get a ground wire (blue wire from an amp wiring kit) from your local auto parts store.
• Run the wire from the negative terminal on your car battery through a hole in the vehicle’s firewall. Ensure insulating any exposed metal with electrical tape to avoid short circuits and accidental shocks.
• Attach one end of the speaker wire to the powered subwoofer ground point, usually marked as “GND” or “Ground Wire Terminal”.
• Connect the other end of the wire to a metal mounting point, such as an unpainted bolt or nut on the vehicle chassis. (Ensure you scratch the metal’s paint to erase it properly)
• Test your system after completing the installation at the end and ensure no hums or buzzes are coming from your powered subwoofer.

7. Ensure Turn-on Wire Connection:

You must also ensure that you correctly set up the remote turn-on wire connection. It will help your car audio system turn on automatically with your car ignition turning on. It’s an easy process, and here is how you can do it:

• First, you’ll need to locate the Turn-On speaker wire in your wiring harness. You can usually find it by tracing its color-coded line and other components of the vehicle’s wiring system.
• Once you’ve identified the Turn-On wire, you can connect it to the aftermarket stereo unit by attaching them via a connector or splicing it into the harness.

8. Connect the Powered Subwoofer to the Factory Stereo:

You can easily connect your active sub to the factory stereo using RCA cables. Connect it by comparing the terminals of both components correctly. However, not every aftermarket radio has preamp outputs. So, you need to use a Line Output Converter (LOC) ⁽²⁾ device to perform the task for you. Here’s how you can connect it:

• First, you will need to locate the speaker outputs from your vehicle’s head unit and connect them to the high-level inputs on the line output converter.
• Connect the low-level outputs from the line output converter to the powered subwoofer.

Once you have connected all the cables, you can adjust the gain settings on the line output converter to ensure that you get the balanced sound from your subwoofer with your other speakers. You may also need to change the crossover frequency setting to achieve optimal sound quality.

9. Reconnect Car’s Battery:

Now that you have connected your car powered sub with the factory stereo, it’s time to reconnect all the power cables with the battery. Ensure you properly do it by attaching the positive wire with the positive terminal and the negative wire with the negative terminal of your car.

10. Test the Audio:

Ensure you recheck all the audio connections before testing. Once everything is connected correctly and the factory amp is powered, it’s time to test the audio. Start by playing some music at a low volume to ensure the subwoofer is working correctly. You should hear a low-frequency bass line coming through the subwoofer speakers.

Once you’ve confirmed that the subwoofer is working, turn up the volume slowly and test different music tracks to see how well your system can handle higher volumes. Pay special attention to any distortion or clipping, which may indicate something wrong with your setup.

If you find any issues, try adjusting the gain and crossover settings on the amplifier or tone controls on the factory stereo to achieve a better audio experience. Once satisfied with the results, you can start playing music at higher volumes and enjoy your car factory stereo system’s improved sound.

Benefits of Adding a Powered Subwoofer in the Car:

There are some benefits listed below:

• High sound quality: Adding a powered subwoofer to your car will help you provide an optimal listening experience for yourself and any passengers in the vehicle. Powered subwoofers are designed to add a bass, making the overall sound more balanced and providing a fuller range of sound.
• More power: The increased power of a powered subwoofer also allows you to blast your favorite songs at higher volumes while still maintaining the quality of sound. This can be especially beneficial when driving on long trips or listening to music in a large group setting.
• Better sound isolation: If you’re looking for better sound isolation, a powered subwoofer effectively isolates sound from outside the vehicle. This can be especially useful when driving in noisy areas, as it can help block out unwanted noise and provide an enhanced listening experience.
• Increased value: Finally, adding a powered subwoofer can also increase the overall value of your car if you ever decide to resell it. A good quality powered subwoofer can help make your vehicle more desirable to potential buyers, increasing the amount of money you can get.
• Budget-friendly: As you know powered subwoofer comes with a built-in amplifier; you don’t need to arrange an extra amplifier for it. It will reduce your cost by not making you buy an additional amplifier for your factory stereo. 

Short Difference Between Powered (AKA Active) And Passive Sub:

Powered (or active) and passive subwoofers are useful audio devices that provide deep, powerful bass to your sound system. However, they do have some critical differences between them.

1. A powered subwoofer is an all-in-one device with its amplifier, so it does not need a separate amplifier to work. It can plug directly into an audio source and be used immediately, making it an excellent option for those who don’t want to set up additional equipment.
2. However, passive subwoofers are not self-powered and must be connected to an external amplifier or receiver. This requires extra effort on the user’s part to set up and some knowledge about signal flow and amplification.

Some Safety Tips Before Adding a Powered Sub to Car Stereo:

There are some tips to follow before connecting the active sub to the car factory stereo:

1. Before adding a powered subwoofer to your car factory stereo, carefully read the manufacturer’s instructions and understand precisely what it expects.
2. To ensure a safe experience, double-check all wiring connections before powering up the system. Ensure that no power or speaker wires are touching one another and that all connections are secure.
3. Always use the proper mounting hardware when installing a powered subwoofer in your car to ensure it is securely mounted and won’t come loose while driving. Please provide the mounting surface; the brackets are strong enough to support the speaker’s weight and any vibrations caused by its operation.
4. When wiring the powered subwoofer, use the proper gauge wire. Using the wrong gauge wire can cause a loss of sound quality or, worse yet, damage to the system.
5. Always wear protective eyewear when working with power tools and electrical components to protect yourself from sparks and flying debris.
6. When in doubt, seek professional help! A qualified technician can help you properly install your subwoofer to a factory stereo without any risks associated with a DIY job.