If you like listening to heavy bass, then installing a subwoofer is the key. There are a lot of installation guides out there but with unclear instructions, you may destroy your car speakers. Worry not as our experts had detailed how to install a powered subwoofer to a factory stereo.
Why Install a Powered Sub?
A powered subwoofer is connected to the factory stereo to deliver high sound quality with a deep and crisp bass. Its bass system is composed of a speaker driver, amplifier, and a modified enclosure.
Installing powered subwoofers allows you to optimize bass effects without getting away with familiar factory controls on your car stereo.
Materials and Tools
In order to install your powered subwoofer to your stock stereo, you need the right tools. Here are the tools our engineers require you to have a smooth installation experience
- Drill machine
- Screws
- Screwdrivers
- Wires (power wire, ground wires and speaker wires)
- RCA cables
- 50 amps inline fuse and fuse holde
- Wire crimps
- Allen wrench set
- Tape for wires
- Line output converter
- Side-post adapter for battery
Steps in Installing a Powered Subwoofer to a Factory Stereo
Now that you have gathered the things that you need, you may start with the installation process recommended by our experts.
Step #1: Disable Battery Connection
When working with any electric items, you have to make sure that everything is turned off first. So, turn off your car, remove your keys, and open the hood to get access to your car battery.
Once you can see the battery, carefully choose the vehicle’s negative battery terminal. This is usually seen as the black cable. Disconnect it from the battery to avoid short circuit or damage to the factory stereo system.
Our safety officers recommend the use of rubberized gloves [1] throughout the process to minimize electrocution.
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Step #2: Install the Power Cable
Now, check the cables and ports of your car stereo system. Identify the RCA cables and remove the outputs together with the power cable.
However, you’d also have to reconnect the RCA cable signal cables to the RCA inputs to reinstall the factory car stereo system.
Next, connect the power cable from the battery to the car subwoofer. As the power cable will run from the engine compartment to the main cabin of the car, it is very important to organize the wiring connections.
For better organization and aesthetics, tuck the cables under the carpets of the car or under trim panels. This will hide the cables and protect them from tugging and tearing due to the people riding on the car.
You’d also have to check on the amp wiring kit. Sometimes, the fuse assembly is already prepared, but if not, you’d also have to prepare that.
Start with cutting a short piece of the power cable. Remember that the length should be enough to cover the distance from the fuse holder location to the battery position. Once the length is enough, remove the insulation on both ends to crimp terminal rings on one end and attach the fuse holder on the other.
Remember that installing the fuse box close to the battery helps in preventing short circuits, especially because the lead between the terminal and the fuse is exposed.
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Step #3: Check Cables for the Subwoofer
Before anything else, check if the RCA cable and turn on wire are connected to the car stereo unit. These wires should run on the opposite side of the car, away from the power wire. This is to reduce any possible electrical noises produced.
The RCA signal cables should be connected to their RCA outputs, while the remote turn on wire, usually seen as the blue wire, should be connected to the wiring harness of the stereo.
However, for those not using an aftermarket stereo, it is not a convenient package as the preamp outputs are not usually equipped. These factory stereos need line output converters to convert the high-level amplified signals into RCA preamp level signals.
If line output converters are not available, tapping the speaker wire behind the factory stereo, or the rear deck speakers can be done. This is to deliver the signal into the powered subwoofer’s integrated amplifier.
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Step #4: Position Your Subwoofer
The location of the powered subwoofer in the car is very important. Its perfect location should be somewhere with adequate ventilation as the speakers will produce a good amount of heat.
The location should also be where all the wires will not entangle with each other so as not to produce too much friction which damages the wires.
Step #5: Hook Power Cables on Subwoofer
The ground wire is the third primary connection of the system. It is very important that your powered subwoofer should be grounded to a good bolt.
In order to achieve this, use a bolt to connect the ground wire to the vehicle chassis. The ground wire terminal should be in contact with the vehicle’s bare metal. To ensure that the ground cable is grounded, use sandpaper to remove all paint and other debris.
Now, connect the power cable to the negative battery terminal. This is the negative terminal where you disconnected the black cable prior to starting the process. Remember to handle the wire properly for it to produce power output.
Step #6: Test Audio on Subwoofer
Before testing the subwoofer system, you have to make sure that the built-in amp’s gain is turned all the way down. This will protect the subwoofer from being damaged.
Start the car to make sure that the factory stereo and the subwoofer turn on together with the car. Play a song to verify that the installed powered subs are working. Check the sound quality and adjust the settings to your preferences.
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Safety Tips and Reminders
When installing a subwoofer to a factory stereo, you have to follow some safety precautions.
- - Use insulator gloves. This is so your hands are protected from any electric surges. This will also ensure that you don’t get electrocuted if some accidents happen during the installation.
- - Stay away from water. As you’d be handling wires and electricity, our health and safety officers advise you to stay away from water sources. Water is a great conductor of electricity and will not only damage your powered subwoofers. Aside from that, it may also cause electrocution.
- - Don’t forget to install the ground wire. Although electronic devices will still work without ground cables as long as all the elements are present, having a ground wire ensures higher hazard protection from fire and overheating.
Conclusion
Now that our sound engineers summarized the process on how to install a powered subwoofer to a factory stereo, you can now confidently do it on your own. Just follow the step-by-step procedures and remember to stay away from water and use insulator gloves to protect yourself.
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