Greetings to all. I just bought a 2015 Toyota Corolla S, and I was wondering if anyone had any instructions on how to add a subwoofer to the factory head unit. We would appreciate any assistance.
In This Article...
Can my automobile merely have a subwoofer added?
Thanks to straightforward aftermarket subwoofer modifications that can be fitted to practically any pre-existing car entertainment system, it’s actually fairly simple. You typically need to buy and install an amplifier in addition to the subwoofer in order to power it.
A factory-installed car stereo can you add a subwoofer to?
1) The stereo system cannot be replaced since it is a new model (or an expensive exotic model), or…
2) You simply prefer the factory look and don’t want to replace the stereo.
Rca jacks are plugged into these red and white inputs found behind stereos to create sound.
Will you have to put up with the OEM system’s transistor radio sound?
Here are two methods for adding an amplifier and subwoofer to your factory-installed system:
Hi-Low Converter
For decades, this has been the tried-and-true technique for adding bass systems to OEM stereos.
It’s basically a tiny converter with RCA inputs that connects to your speaker wires.
Your subwoofers won’t produce the same audio quality as an aftermarket radio (such as an Alpine or Kenwood) would in your vehicle.
The stereo isn’t getting the right amount of “juice” because you aren’t increasing its voltage.
A line out converter
In computer-speak:
It transforms speaker level signals into high-quality preamp signals that may be fed into an amplifier by taking the amplified speaker level signals.
For us, it simply means that you’ll receive fantastic sound while retaining your stock stereo and controls.
One excellent illustration of a high-end line out converter is the JL Audio LOC-22:
Even if your car already has a high-end factory system and you still want more bass, this little guy can help.
Without sacrificing the authenticity of the factory system, it converts the high-level signals from your factory amplifier to the line level that your amplifier requires.
Sincere to say, we hardly ever suggest hi-low converters unless the customer is operating on a tight budget.
Funny thing is, hi-low converters usually cost $20, yet the LOC-22 only costs $79! Not a significant difference.
You now know that adding a subwoofer and amplifier to your OEM system will undoubtedly make it sound better.
We’ll make your automobile sound like Beethoven’s 5th Symphony thanks to the more than 33 years of combined experience on our staff in the mobile electronics sector (or Woodstock… whatever you prefer)
What is the price of installing subwoofers in a car?
(https://bby.me/zaahw) Standard installation costs $149.99. Standard installation does not include vehicle-specific equipment or accessories, and there will be a materials fee of $5 per car levied at the time of installation. Parts for installing a subwoofer can cost anywhere from $20 and $300.
Is a subwoofer in a car worth it?
Subwoofers enhance the clarity and bass of your stereo system. They can also improve a system’s performance in a number of different ways.
A good subwoofer will give your music the depth and realism you would otherwise lose with a standard car entertainment system.
A good subwoofer will elevate your music-listening experience to a whole new level when fitted correctly and combined with an excellent amp and head unit. How? Read on.
Why Subwoofers Are Used
The frequency range with the lowest bass is the most challenging for speakers to reproduce. Air is moved by speakers to create sound. Additionally, a lot of air must be pushed to duplicate music’s lengthy and deep bass tones.
The size and cost of making speakers that are strong enough to move this much air for bass frequencies are often higher. Therefore, many speakers that come with automobile entertainment systems are excessively small and are not suited to handle bass efficiently in order to save money and space.
Instead, especially at higher volumes, the speakers distort when trying to recreate the bass frequency, which limits the depth and authenticity of the music.
What is a Subwoofer?
A subwoofer is a typically big speaker created exclusively to reproduce the bass sounds in the low-frequency band. Most car radio systems require a professionally installed premium subwoofer system along with a high-power amplifier and head unit in order to provide the best low bass response.
You should think about the following when selecting automobile subs:
The Subwoofer Size
Big subs have a powerful and low sound. The bass quality increases with subwoofer size. But you’ll also need to consider available room. Make sure a sub will fit in your car, such as the trunk or under a seat, by taking dimensions of your car before you go shopping.
The Type of Enclosure
Boxes called subwoofer enclosures house the subwoofer. Even if the sub is modest, a sealed enclosure will provide deeper bass than an open enclosure. For music genres centered on all frequencies, sealed enclosures are advised.
For bass-focused music, such as rap, trap, house, and dubstep, ported enclosures generate a more potent (louder) bass line.
Power
The RMS power level describes how much power a subwoofer can handle; higher RMS levels imply stronger bass.
You must take the RMS power rating into account when matching a sub to an amp and head unit. The power management of the sub should at the very least be matched by the head unit and amp. And ideally, the RMS of the head unit and amp will be greater than the RMS of the sub.
Sensitivity
A subwoofer’s sensitivity is how much power it need to achieve a specific volume. And the sound pressure level (SPL) number is used to express this sensitivity. Compared to subs with low SPL ratings, high SPL subs are more sensitive and don’t need as much power to create loud sounds.
You need a sub with excellent sensitivity if your amp or head unit is weak.
Better Bass Response
Subwoofers boost the bass response to bring forth music sounds that your speakers can’t replicate on their own. Most automobile radio speakers begin to lose volume at about 50Hz. However, a good subwoofer can reproduce low frequencies as low as 20Hz.
You won’t miss the lowest notes as a result, and your car radio system’s music will sound more immersive as a result of the full depth and clarity of bass.
Greater Clarity in All Sound
Even the fastest bass lines are clear and precise thanks to the speed and transient response of high-quality subwoofers.
The frequent starts and pauses in voices and instrumentals that are present in many musical genres may be too much for subwoofers of lower caliber. And as a result, the acoustic sound from these less powerful subs will be murky.
Reduction in Distortion
By lowering the acoustic demands on your other speakers, subwoofers reduce distortion. A full-range speaker’s wide cone and diaphragm can amplify distortion while reproducing low-frequency bass.
Additionally, the woofers in your speakers might not be able to keep up with the tweeters and mid drivers when you play music at high volumes. However, decent subwoofers enable you to play loud music without distortion, even if the bass is intense and demanding.
Takes Load off of Smaller Speakers
Smaller speakers don’t have to reproduce incredibly low frequencies thanks to subwoofers. Smaller speakers are therefore able to generate sound in a more palatable frequency range.
In essence, subwoofers lessen the workload placed on full-range speakers, enhancing their overall performance and enabling them to deliver high-quality music without distortion.
Full Spectrum Response
A good subwoofer will complement your full-spectrum speakers without competing with them. Even high and mid frequencies will have the clearest clarity possible thanks to the quality sound systems with subwoofers that let speakers operate at their top across the frequency spectrum.
Your car stereo speakers can perform to their full potential with all genres of music if you have a car subwoofer, low-frequency amplifier, adequate bass control, and a linked AV receiver or amplifier to drive smaller speakers in the mid and high frequencies above the crossover point.
The default speakers in your car aren’t designed to handle the bass and dynamic range of many musical genres on their own. Therefore, if you don’t have a good subwoofer, you won’t hear the notes and sensations that musicians meant for you to have when listening to their music.
Subwoofers can improve your music-listening experience by bringing out depth and clarity that your speakers by themselves are unable to convey.
Do I need an amp to install a subwoofer in my car?
The answer is yes almost always. You’ll need to locate an amplifier that will power your sub unless your vehicle or boat already has a system that does so. A low-power signal (RCA output) from your head unit is often available for use with an amplifier to drive your subwoofer. However, without the amplifier, your system essentially operates at 2 or 4 volts (sometimes higher), which is insufficient to drive a subwoofer. Subwoofers consume a significant amount of power and, depending on their size, may even need a separate amplifier.
Check out our post on what to look for in a subwoofer amplifier if you want to add a subwoofer to your system. You can also look at our editor’s best selections for subwoofer amplifiers if you already know what kind of amplifier you’re searching for.
Should I upgrade my stereo with a subwoofer?
You’re probably in good condition if your home audio system includes a pair of huge tower speakers (although you could still add a subwoofer for extra bass oomph). But bookshelf speakers are much, much smaller. Because of this, they are much more practical. Smaller speakers, however, face a harsh reality when it comes to producing low frequencies. Bass is made up of low frequency sound waves, and in order to produce those low frequency waves, you need a big driver that can move a lot of air.
Large drivers with an usual diameter of 8 inches, 10 inches, or 12 inches are the foundation of subwoofer construction. Of contrast, the woofer, or driver, in most bookshelf speakers may range in size from 4 to 6 inches and is responsible for low and mid-frequency sound. That woofer is working hard to cover the low end and the mid range with many bookshelf speakers’ dual driver arrangement.
Your audio system now includes a speaker that is specifically designed to produce low frequency sound, and it is outfitted with a large driver that can produce those ultra lows, thanks to the addition of a subwoofer.
This increases the realism of effects like explosions and revving motors in a home theater system. It adds subsonic rumbling and depth. The subwoofer in a home audio system gives bass guitars and drums more prominence and depth. Even if a small stereo listening system with competent bookshelf speakers can provide passable bass, adding a subwoofer can make all the difference in the world.
Lay the Power Cables
Now that you have gathered all the necessary parts, it is time to assemble everything. The power wire needs to be run from the battery to the amp through the firewall first. This wire, which commonly ranges from 10 gauge to 0, is the longest in the amp kit and is frequently red in color. But wait to attach the power line to your car’s amp or battery.
Find a Good Metal Ground
Find a location within three feet of the amplifier if you want to maintain the optimum ground connection. One common technique entails removing the carpeting while scraping the metal until the paint peels off, at which point you can grind. There are numerous suspension bolts that can be found and used if your amplifier is in the trunk or boot space. After you’ve grounded the vehicle, you should take the remote wire and splice it into the wire that runs from the dash along the door jam panel.
Plug RCA Plugs Into Subwoofer Output On Receiver
Running the white and red RCA connections that connect the sub to the source should come next, whether you have a stereo or a media player. All of these cables must then be fed straight through and returned to the amplifier. RCA cables should be run in the middle of the automobile, away from wire looms and power lines, as they have a tendency to pick up specific sounds.
Use Speaker Wires To Connect The Subwoofers To The Amplifier
The thickness or gauge of the wiring is less significant in this step; you are free to use wires larger than 8 gauge. To enable less voltage drops, the wire should be copper because it has extremely little resistance. Additionally, keep in mind to match your amplifier’s impedance to the subwoofer’s specs.
Connect the Power Cable to Battery
Installing the fuse into a 12v wire and mounting it within the engine bay no farther than 50 centimeters from the battery is required prior to completing this stage. Connect the power cable to the battery using the ring connectors and battery terminals. Connect your amplifier’s power line lastly. Clamp the power wire under the hood after that. When the power cables make contact with the battery terminal, it occasionally generates a tremendous spark. There is nothing to be concerned about; the amplifier is merely charging the capacitors. With your new setup, you can now relax and listen to fantastic music while taking a well-earned break.
Can I Use My Factory Radio With a Subwoofer?
In this post, we’ll go over some of the procedures you should take to combine your factory car stereo with an aftermarket subwoofer and maximize its performance.
Installing the Big 3 Upgrade
A big 3 update can significantly enhance your vehicle’s electrical system for various car audio systems. Speakers, subwoofers, amplifiers, and other components draw power and may put undue strain on your electrical system. An upgrade to Big 3 will increase current flow
How to Grounded a Car Amplifier Correctly
Did you realize that the primary cause of amplifier issues is poor ground wiring? Ground wire helps guide energy, stabilizes voltage levels, guards against electrical overload and damage, and most importantly, shields you from potentially fatal electrical