How to Add Bass to Speakers

Adding a subwoofer to the main speakers creates more and better bass.

Although modern medium-to-large home speakers possess bass levels sufficient to reproduce most audio material, on occasion a user might want to add more bass. Adding a subwoofer is the fast solution to add bass and reduce amplifier stress, since the "hard work" of reproducing low bass is handled by the dedicated subwoofer amplifier. This common form of bi-amping creates additional sonic solidity and removes strain from the main speakers. There are two main approaches to this, one involving inserting the subwoofer into the signal chain with speaker wire, the other involving RCA connectivity. Although speaker wire works with every system, RCA line level is considered superior, given the total lack of strain on the main amplifier.

Things You'll Need

• Subwoofer
• Speaker wire or RCA cable
• Strip tool

Instructions

Speaker Wire Connection

1. Disconnect the speaker wires from the rear of the main left and right speakers. Either push in on the plastic spring terminals and pull the wires out or unscrew the binding posts until the insertion hole is revealed.

2. Cut two lengths of speaker wire sufficient to reach from the subwoofer back to the main speakers. Strip one inch of wire insulation from each end of each speaker wire.

3. Join the wires you removed from the main speakers with the newly cut ones. Insert the twisted pairs into the speaker inputs on the subwoofer. Typically, this is accomplished by unscrewing the corresponding binding posts, revealing the insertion holes. Insert the wires, then twist the wires back down until the wires are secured.

4. Run the newer set of speaker wires back to the main speakers, connecting in same manner as the wires now running to the subwoofer.

5. Plug the subwoofer into an adjacent AC outlet and power it on.

Line Level (RCA) Connection

1. Locate the "SUB" RCA connection on the rear of the receiver or preamp. Push in the RCA cable with a slight clockwise twisting motion until seated.

2. Route the RCA cable from the receiver/preamp to the subwoofer's "LINE" RCA input. If left and right terminals are present, use the red (or right) connection.

3. Plug the subwoofer into the AC power jack and switch the unit on.

Tips & Warnings

• There is no need to simultaneously connect RCA and speaker wires to the subwoofer.

• If a dedicated subwoofer out jack is not present, an unused "tape monitor out" jack will suffice.

References

• Crutchfield: Connecting Your Subwoofer
• Audioholics: Connecting a Subwoofer to a Receiver
• Audioholics: Connecting a Subwoofer to a Receiver with No Subwoofer Output

Resources

• Home Theater Forum: Question about Subwoofer RCA / Speaker Level Input