The sound of the standard sound system, which is equipped with most cars, does not always satisfy owners with sound quality. In order to make the sound in the cabin louder and richer in bass frequencies, an amplifier and a low-frequency speaker are installed in the car. The connection diagram for a subwoofer and amplifier to a radio in a car is simple, but requires basic knowledge of electrical engineering. The standard radio is usually not replaced, but if necessary, the most modern system is installed. How to connect an amplifier and subwoofer in a car depends on the installation of new external devices. The low-frequency speaker can be installed on the rear seat parcel shelf. Such acoustics provide a comfortable sound background in the car interior. If the owner plans to install a 0.5-1.5 kW amplifier and the same loudspeaker, then the only place for the speaker system can only be the luggage compartment.
Connecting a subwoofer with an amplifier to the radio
To connect a subwoofer to a radio with an amplifier, you need to prepare the necessary components and tools. First, the location where the low-frequency system will be located is determined. Most often, the luggage compartment of a car is used to install a low-frequency unit. The low-frequency vehicle channel complex includes the following components:
- Car radio
- Battery
- Low frequency amplifier
- High capacity capacitor
- Bass powerful speaker
All these elements must be properly connected to each other. Power is supplied to the car radio in the standard way, so there is no need to change anything here. An important part of the installation of a low-frequency complex is the organization of power supply. The connection diagram for a subwoofer and an amplifier includes sending a sound signal from the car radio, connecting the power supply terminals to the battery and connecting the ULF output contacts to the speaker system. A low-frequency amplifier for a car is not like a household appliance. Usually this is a flat block in a metal case, on one of the walls of which there are coaxial “Tulip” type connectors for supplying an audio signal from an external source and screw terminals for connecting the supply voltage and speakers. In the connection diagram for the amplifier and subwoofer, a high-capacity capacitor is connected in parallel to the power terminals. It can be 0.5-2.0 farads. The storage capacitor functions as an additional power source.
When listening to music programs at high volumes, “dips” in the sound of the low-frequency system often occur. This is due to the fact that a car battery, at the peak power of a music system, cannot provide a large current consumption. In this case, the electrical energy stored in the capacitor is transferred to the ULF power supply circuit, ensuring normal sound. The amplifier and subwoofer are connected using a special cable designed for speaker systems. To connect elements of a low-frequency car kit, you cannot use ordinary SHVVP type wires from household equipment.
How to connect wires to an amplifier and subwoofer
To properly connect the subwoofer and amplifier, you need to select the appropriate connecting wires. Acoustic cables for connecting elements of the low-frequency complex must be multi-core, made of copper and have a cross-section corresponding to the current consumption of the amplifier. You cannot use wires from some companies that have steel or aluminum cores coated with a thin layer of copper. This is especially dangerous with high power low-frequency sound systems. To connect the subwoofer to the amplifier, ready-made sets of connecting cables are used.
This set includes wires for connecting power from the battery, wires for the speaker system, coaxial cables for supplying a signal from the radio. The kit includes a fuse, bolt-on cable lugs and fasteners. When the power of the device is low, only “+” supply voltage is supplied to it. This cable must be connected through a fuse, which is located in the engine compartment next to the battery. The minus of the block starts at the vehicle's ground. If the power of the low-frequency system exceeds 500 watts, this connection scheme cannot be used and the voltage from the battery is supplied through two wires. To reliably connect a subwoofer through an amplifier, you need to carefully tighten all threaded connections, since constant vibration when the car is moving can lead to loss of contact and failure of the sound system.
Amplifier connectors
+12V connector – it is supplied with power from the battery. A fuse must be installed between the battery and the amplifier.
REM – control connector, designed to create a connection with the radio. The equipment through this wire will turn on and off along with the radio.
GBD – mass connector. The wire should be as short and thick as possible.
Line connectors – designed to connect speakers and a subwoofer. The subwoofer can be connected with a bridge into two linear connectors: the minus of the subwoofer is connected to the minus of one connector, and the plus of the subwoofer is connected to the plus of the second connector. We connect the remaining “+” and “-” in the connectors (you must read the instructions, since this operation is not required for all devices).
Connecting a subwoofer through an amplifier
How to properly connect a subwoofer through an amplifier with multiple channels. In order to get full and high-quality sound, it is not enough to use a single-channel low-frequency unit. In this case, only the bass channel will be able to provide good output power. In this case, the volume and quality of playback through standard acoustics will be noticeably worse. The optimal solution would be to use an ULF with several channels. In this case, you can connect the subwoofer to the car through an amplifier through one of the channels, and the rest will be used to drive the front and rear speakers. In order to ensure a clear division of the entire audio range into separate frequency bands, the car's speaker systems are connected to the amplifier through filters - crossovers. In this case, high frequencies are transmitted by tweeters, mid frequencies are processed through full-range speakers, and deep and rich bass is reproduced by a subwoofer through an amplifier.
The subwoofer is connected to the amplifier using an acoustic cable, which should have as little resistance as possible. This wire must be copper and stranded. The amplifier and subwoofer are connected to the radio using an interconnect cable. Since a low-current signal is transmitted through it, its cross-section is not as important as the cross-section of the supply wires and cables for connecting the speaker.
Connecting a subwoofer with an amplifier to the radio
How to connect a sub and amplifier to a radio depends on the design of the playback device. Most standard devices are equipped with connectors with blade contacts, which are used to connect built-in speakers. In addition, on the rear panel of the car radio there are connectors for the linear outputs of the left and right channels. They are designed for RCA or Tulip type plugs and are used to connect an external low frequency unit.
If a single-channel module is used, then to connect the subwoofer to the radio via an amplifier, you need to use an adapter. It sums the left and right channels to feed them to the input of the low-frequency block.
Connecting a subwoofer to a radio with an amplifier, in addition to switching the audio signal, involves turning on the power remotely. A separate wire is used for this. It extends from the block that is used to connect the built-in speaker systems and is labeled “Systemremotecontrol”. After turning on the car ignition and supplying power to the head unit (GU), a potential of + 12 volts is established on this wire. Low frequency units designed to work with car speaker systems have a contact that is marked in the same way. Connecting the contacts of the control unit and the amplifier ensures simultaneous power supply to both devices.
The connection diagram for a subwoofer and an amplifier in a car does not necessarily have to include automatic power supply. You can not use the remote control line, but install a regular toggle switch to turn on the power to the powerful low-frequency path manually.
Why do you need an amplifier?
Multimedia head units have a built-in amplifier, which is not suitable for all car owners. Installing additional equipment allows you to clear the signal of interference and install additional speakers that improve the reproduction of low or high frequencies. When using an additional amplifier, the power of the generator and the capacity of the battery should be taken into account; to reduce the likelihood of voltage failure, electrolytic capacitors (storage) are used.
How to calculate power and choose
To select the equipment yourself, you need to calculate the power of the loudspeakers installed in the circuit of each channel. Based on the obtained values, an external signal amplification device is selected. It is recommended to purchase a more powerful device (10-15%) to reduce the load on the equipment and allow you to subsequently replace the acoustics. You should also take into account the resistance of the coils in the speakers and the frequency range for which the products are designed.
The choice of type of amplification machine installation depends on the configuration of the future speaker system. If you plan to connect a subwoofer to an amplifier, a device with 2 channels that are connected via a bridge circuit is sufficient. If the reason for the modification is the desire to get rid of noise in the speakers and increase the sound volume, you need to purchase a 4-channel unit. To use 4 speakers and a subwoofer at the same time, you will need to install a 5-channel amplifier or use 2 separate devices.
To connect the car amplifier to the radio, “tulip” or RCA connectors are used, located on the rear wall of the head unit housing. Before purchasing an external device, it is recommended to check the type of outputs used on the player. If there are no connectors, it is possible to switch the amplifier unit to standard acoustic outputs through a signal amplitude reduction module (attenuator).
How to connect a sub to a radio via an amplifier
In order to equip a car with a high-quality sound system and connect a subwoofer with an amplifier to the car, you first need to select a low-frequency amplification system. Its type is determined by the requirements for sound reproduction. Car modules are of the following types:
- Single channel
- Dual channel
- Four-channel
- Five-channel
Units with one channel are used only for connecting a subwoofer. They can operate into loads up to 2 ohms. This system is easy to install and reliable. There is no bass boost control on the car radio, but there is one on the bass module, and you can always set the desired volume level. Two-channel systems allow the connection of two loudspeakers or one, but powerful speaker. The most popular models are four-channel systems. They allow you to connect a sub and amplifier to the radio and change the configuration of the car's sound system within a wide range. A device with five channels allows you to connect four speaker systems and a woofer. This is the most uneconomical model and when working in a parking lot, such a unit will quickly drain the battery.
Connecting a subwoofer with an amplifier to a car begins with choosing the installation location. The length of the connecting cables will depend on this. The diagram for connecting a subwoofer in a car through an amplifier requires calculating the length of the wires in advance, since the entire installation will be carried out under the casing. When installing the module, you need to know that this electronic unit will generate a large amount of heat during operation, so there must be normal air circulation at the installation site. When connecting a subwoofer to an amplifier in a car, you should avoid mounting the unit on its side or in any incorrect position. If the low-frequency unit is intended only for a subwoofer, then the best place to place it will be the luggage compartment, where the module is located next to the subwoofer. In this case, you will only need one positive power wire and an interconnect cable from the radio. Connecting a subwoofer to a radio with an amplifier photo.
Selecting wires to connect the amplifier
Now let's look at how to connect an amplifier in a car. Nowadays there are entire kits for connecting acoustics on sale. However, the quality of the wires in the kits is rather questionable. The best option is to purchase special speaker wires.
For the rear and front speakers, a PVA cable with a cross-section of 2x2.5 mm is suitable, for high-frequency (tweeters) a wire with a cross-section of 2x1.5 mm is suitable, for a subwoofer 2x4 mm.
The amplifier is powered from the battery using wires of type KG-25 or 35.
How to Connect a Subwoofer Speaker to an Amplifier
The subwoofer speaker is connected to the amplifier using an acoustic cable, which is included in ready-made kits or purchased separately. It is best when the ULF and subwoofer are located nearby. This allows you to reduce the length of connecting wires to a minimum. This reduces cable losses. If the low-frequency module and subwoofer are located in the luggage compartment of the car, a storage capacitor is attached nearby, which will avoid sound dips at high power. When laying connecting cables inside vehicle compartments, you must use the existing technological holes. At the points of transition through metal surfaces, plastic bushings are placed on the wires to avoid damage to the insulation and short circuits.
