How Can I Just Add A Subwoofer To My Car? (Explained)

If you are planning to set up your car’s audio system, you may think that adding a subwoofer is the easiest way to do so. 

Most systems do have an amplifier connected to the subwoofer to help ensure sound quality, but you can just add a subwoofer to your car.

While subwoofers can be connected to audio systems without an amplifier, they do not provide clear and crisp sound this way.

If you plan to only use a subwoofer, keep these points in mind when installing it.

Here’s How You Can Add Just A Subwoofer To Your Car?

Yes, you can just add a subwoofer to your car. Make sure you disconnect the battery and connect the subwoofer (and speakers) to the audio system head unit with an adaptor. Some audio systems have a subwoofer output or LFE out but you need a powered subwoofer to be connected.

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Connecting a subwoofer directly to the audio system of a car is the easiest way to add one without an amplifier. 

The power must be disconnected from the vehicle during the installation process so that you don’t get an electric shock or damage to your car’s electronic system. The audio system needs to be taken out, and its wiring needs to be disconnected. 

A subwoofer and speaker adapter is the best option if you can find one. If not, you will need to wire them together and then connect the combined wires to the audio system. 

The exact process will vary depending on the type of audio system and subwoofer you have, so it’s important to read the manual that comes with your subwoofer and audio systems. 

If you aren’t sure how to wire or install a system, it’s best to leave it to the professionals. If you are doing it yourself, be sure to take the time to learn about your system components before you begin the installation. 


Related:

Will Adding Just A Subwoofer In My Car Improve Bass?

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A passive subwoofer is less powerful than an active subwoofer. 

Activated subwoofers have an integrated amplifier, which makes them different from passive subwoofers. While it is more expensive than passive subwoofers, it can help improve power and sound quality.

However, installing a subwoofer in your car won’t guarantee better sound quality. A subwoofer is unlikely to improve the quality of the sound produced by your car’s audio system if it already performs poorly.

In order to get deep-thumping bass, you will need an amplifier. 

It is also possible to enjoy hip-hop and songs that already have a lot of bass without even using an amplifier.

If you have an amp paired with your subwoofer, it will produce more bass. Due to the subwoofer’s inability to boost the bass sound completely, the sound may be distorted or fuzzy. When it is powered by an amplifier, the sound may be rattling or muffled, and the music will not be crisp or clear.

You will usually need an amplifier to power your subwoofer when you add one to your audio system. An all-in-one amplified subwoofer enclosure has built-in power that matches the subwoofer specifications. 

Aftermarket amplifiers cannot be integrated with OEM amplifiers, which are generally speaker-level inputs since OEM systems rarely offer line-level (unamplified) outputs. 

It will still be possible to receive audio signals from the subwoofer without an amplifier by using the device’s existing audio outputs.

Will I Get Fuller Sound By Just Adding A Subwoofer To My Car?

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Deflation-free, clear sound is achieved by using amplifiers in car stereo systems. In fact, car subwoofers don’t require amplifiers to operate, although you can improve their sound quality by installing a high-quality amplifier. Passive speakers and main speakers require amplification as well.

Some subwoofers are manufactured with internal amplifiers. Subwoofer sound is moderately amplified by this type of amp. 

There is, however, a lack of power in the internal amp, preventing you from getting 100% satisfactory sound. 

Even subwoofers with in-built amplifiers can benefit from an amplifier added to the car stereo.

As soon as your amplifier is installed with your subwoofer, you will begin to hear higher frequencies with less distortion. There is a noticeable difference in the loudness and clarity of the sound.

The trunk of your car can be a great place to party if you like to do so. Your mobile party system will not be complete without a properly installed car amplifier.

The quality of all inputs determines the performance of speakers and subwoofers. The sound will be terrible if the input is awful. You may also encounter cases where your speaker’s capacity is not maximized. The gain, mid, and volume of an amplifier can be adjusted to improve your sound.

Using an amplifier will also allow you to better match the capabilities of each speaker and subwoofer. It’s a great idea to install an amplifier if you’ve just bought new subwoofers.

If you don’t have an amplifier in your car, you can still use a subwoofer, but you won’t get the same quality of sound. 

Choosing the right place to install your subwoofers is essential. 

Overheating, loose screws, and contact damage can be prevented by getting it right. Since the trunk of a car has so much space, most car owners use it.

Speakers have the most difficulty reproducing bass frequencies. Sound is reproduced by speakers by moving air. For music to sound powerful and extended, a lot of air has to be moved.

Larger and more expensive speakers that can move this much air are usually required for bass frequencies. Many car stereo systems include small speakers that do not handle bass well in order to save on cost and space.

However, at higher volumes, the speakers produce distortion when attempting to reproduce the bass frequency, limiting the music’s depth and realism.

Will It Be Compatible Or Damage Other Car Audio Components In My Car?  

A subwoofer may not work with every type of audio component, and some may cause damage. Some of your car’s interior components may be damaged by the vibrations produced by subwoofers, especially if you use them at extremely high volumes. 

Neither the engine of the car nor anything around it will be affected by the vibrations produced by the subwoofer. You may also notice other problems with your car if it affects other components. 

If you send more power to your alternator than it receives, your car battery can be drained. When a car battery is not adequately charged, it gets drained.

You add extra load to your car’s electrical system when you install a subwoofer.

Car stereo systems generally draw less current than subwoofers and their amplifiers. The reason for this is that a subwoofer needs more power to play bass frequencies. 

The electrical system of your car may be overloaded by some subwoofers. Car batteries and other electrical components are subjected to this kind of stress. 

The speakers can burn out, the audio system can short out, the wires can be burned out, or the audio system may not work at all if they are too strong for certain systems and speakers. 

Subwoofers should be compatible with your vehicle’s audio system, and you should choose one that is rated for it. 

It’s also important to ensure the subwoofer will fit inside your vehicle’s trunk since some are very large and may not fit with the amplifier and wiring needed to connect the whole system.

Final Thoughts

You don’t have to use a lot of expensive equipment to make your car’s audio sound good.

Sometimes just adding a subwoofer is enough to give it the boost it needs.

If you do decide to add just a subwoofer, make sure you connect it properly.

Sources

How to Connect a Subwoofer to a Car Stereo Without an Amp

Do I Need A Subwoofer In My Car? (Pros & Cons!)