How to Install an Aftermarket Subwoofer

If you just can't get enough bass, you may be want to acquire and install an aftermarket subwoofer in your car so you can groove while you move. A subwoofer is an audio system accessory that controls bass frequencies, and with some basic electronics knowledge, you can install one yourself with just a little time and work.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Inline converter (may be needed)
• Amplifier owner's guide
• Subwoofer owner's guide
• Wire cutters
• Copper speaker wire
• Screwdriver

1. Find the 12-volt power wire on your aftermarket subwoofer. Usually, it's red in color, and it's frequently the longest and most prominent wire, though it can be anywhere from 0 gauge to 8 gauge.
2. Run the power wire from the amplifier to the battery, via the firewall, but don't connect it to the battery. If you can't find the firewall hole, look on the bottom-right side of the subwoofer unit, where it's usually located.
3. Locate a metal ground close to the amplifier unit. If you're going to install the aftermarket subwoofer in your trunk, you can use one of the suspension bolts.
4. Remove your CD player and look on the back of it to find the remote wire, which is frequently blue with white stripes.
5. Find the accompanying remote wire that came with your aftermarket subwoofer. Splice it to the remote wire on the back of your CD player, and run them back through your car's dashboard and back toward the amplifier unit. Stay along the door jam.
6. Look on the back of your CD player for plugs that read "Subwoofer Output." Usually, there is one red and one white plug for the subwoofer output, and you simply need to plug the accompanying wires into the jack of the appropriate color. If you don't have subwoofer outlet plugs, you'll need to connect an inline converter to both the CD player and the subwoofer.
7. Use copper speaker wire to link your subwoofer to your amplifier. Here, it's important that you know the impedance of both subwoofer and amplifier, since you'll need to match them together. The owner's guides to your subwoofer and your amplifier will list impedance values, and they will provide a chart showing you how to get them to match.
8. Add a fuse to the 12-volt power wire you ran to the battery. Secure the power wire to your engine bay, no more than 2 feet away from the battery itself. Your power wire has two sides; cut one so that it can just reach the fuse. Connect it, splicing the other side of the wire to the fuse holder's opposite side.
9. Connect your subwoofer power wire to your car battery.
10. Connect your car's battery cable to your sound system's amplifier.
11. Rock out!

Tips & Warnings

• It takes about an hour for a professional to install an aftermarket subwoofer for you. If your electronics knowledge is lacking, it may well be worth the expense of paying for an hour's labor and having the job done right by someone who knows exactly what he's doing.
• Don't run your power cables and your speaker cables down the same side of your car. This creates a fire hazard and can also blow your CD player if wires short-circuit or cross.