It may seem daunting when installing the subwoofers for the first time. It is not only the process, but most times, you don’t know what do you need to install subwoofers. Whether you want to improve the sound of a factory-fitted car stereo or update it for the bass beat, installing a subwoofer gives the best results.
The installation of the subwoofer is a simple task. There is no need to pay any professional or electrician to do it for you because, with little effort and through this guide, you can do it yourself. I have written detailed procedures and tools you may require for your subwoofer installation, so let’s start!
What You Need to Install A Subwoofer?
If you want to install a subwoofer, you may require some essential tools or a subwoofer installation kit.
Subwoofer Installation Kit
Your new amp and subwoofer package will not come with a subwoofer installation kit, so you may have to get it separately. However, you can buy all essential tools individually as an installation kit. It is readily available in electrical stores and online stores like amazon.
Tools Needed To Install
You can also use the following individual tools
- Phillips screwdriver
- Wire cutters
- Drill and drill bit set
- Allen wrenches
- Head unit removal tools
- Wire strippers
- Screws, nuts, and bolts
How To Install A Subwoofer With Built-in Amp? (9 Methods)
It is easy to install a subwoofer with a built-in amp, and the following steps will help you in this scenario.
1) Remove the Fuse
The first and most crucial step is removing the fuse, checking all the connections, and disconnecting them from the battery. After this, connect the ring terminal with a subwoofer installation kit.
A bolt holds the grounding cable to the negative terminal of the car’s battery; lose it with pliers or a wrench. After dealing with the negative terminal bolt, take the bolt from the positive lead and attach them to the ring terminal. Replace the bolts and take off the ring terminal fuse.
2) Connect the Wires
Hold the power cable from the amp wiring kit and connect it to the ring terminal. Now make way for the cable to get inside the vehicle. You can go to the firewall and reach the car’s interior.
3) Remove the Dash Panels
Take off the stereo from the dashboard, but this step depends on your car type. Remove the dash panels which cover the stereo mounting dock. To remove this panel, use trim panel removal and a screwdriver to remove the screws that hold the stereo and keep it in the stereo mounting bracket. You can also check the manual guide as there is a difference due to the car’s models.
4) Plug the Wiring Harness Adapter
Now start to check the stereo wiring and disconnect it from the back of the stereo. Use a wiring harness adapter and add wiring to this adapter. Go through the stereo’s back and plug in the wiring harness adapter. It is a universal platform where you can add the aftermarket amp wiring work with the powered subwoofer.
5) Connect the Cables
The cables carry signals from the radio to the stereo and provide necessary instructions to the subs when you power them on. So, plug in the patch cables and get your hands on the free leads of the wiring harness adapter from the amp wiring kit. Pass the patch cable from the back side of the stereo mounting dock and connect the cables to the subwoofers. It goes from the floor area of your vehicle.
6) Replace the Stereo
In this step, replace the stereo and for this, hold the power cable and stereo patch cables and take them to your new subwoofer with a built-in amp. Keep the cables underneath your vehicle’s carpet and make a way to the back of your car. When you complete the routing of cables, replace the carpet, or set it again.
7) Plug the Cables into the Subwoofer
Now it’s time to plug the wires into the power outlet and the subwoofers. Recheck all the patch cables before plugging them in. Connect the cables to their right outlets on the subwoofers and check them.
8) Add Ground Wire to the Connection
After completing the plugging-in process, go to the wiring kit, hold on the ground wire, and add them to the subwoofer. Connections of the subwoofer are completed. Add the ground wire to the car’s frame and set it with bolts so it will not drop.
9) Give a Final Touch
The process of installing a subwoofer with a built-in amp almost completes successfully. In this last step, you must get the ground cable clamp and connect it to the negative lead of the battery’s terminal.
Fix it with the correct screw and ensure you have tightened the clamp. In the end, pick the fuse holder and replace it, cover it with a hood, and fix the screws. Now check your subwoofer. If your subwoofer produces good sound, then you are successful!
How To Install A Subwoofer To A Factory Stereo?
The following steps will help you to install a subwoofer to a factory stereo:
- Get the essential tools listed above before starting the process.
- Pick up the right subwoofer for your stereo. It depends on your choice but check the specifications of the subwoofer before selection.
- Disconnect all the connections from your power source or battery.
- Disconnect the speakers’ wires so you can rebuild the new connections.
- Then place the subwoofer and make the compatible connections from the power source, ground cable, and vehicle stereo.
- Pass all the wires from your car’s carpet and set the carpet again or replace it.
- After connecting wires to the subwoofer and power source and they are ready to play.
Yes, you can install a subwoofer and amp in your car. The process is straightforward, and you can do it yourself without paying any professional.
You can install a sub without an amp, but without an amp, the subwoofer cannot produce a louder sound, and the bass frequency remains flat.
Use the RCA for hooking up a subwoofer and use a sub or woofer line that you can see on the pre-amps or home theater receivers. Some subs offer high-level input with a pre-amp or receiver without any RCA connection.
The subwoofer can boost the lowest frequencies of the audio you are listening to, and these low frequencies are pipe, kick drums, movie sound effects, bass guitar, and deep voice. Subwoofers can deal with all of these.
A hard floor can deepen the sound waves of the subwoofer and allow them to travel without being dampened. The carpet can balance the sound, depending on where you place the other speaker.
It is easy to install the subwoofer with a built-in amp or install a subwoofer to a factory stereo. But for this, you should have proper tools or a subwoofer installation kit to make all connections correctly. I hope this guide will prove informative for you and that you can install a subwoofer in your vehicle.
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