Wiring a Subwoofer to an Amp: A Bloke’s Guide to Better Bass
By Robert Jones · 2026-03-09
Getting that subwoofer wired up right can make all the difference to your system. I'll walk you through it, no-nonsense.
## Wiring a Subwoofer to an Amp: A Bloke’s Guide to Better Bass Alright, let’s talk subwoofers. You’ve got a cracking amp, maybe some decent speakers, but something’s still missing, isn’t it? That low-end thump, the rumble that makes you *feel* the music or explosions. That’s where a good subwoofer comes in. But getting it hooked up properly can feel a bit like cracking a safe if you’ve never done it. Now, I’ve been mucking about with speakers and amps for over 20 years, pretty much since this magazine started. I’ve seen all sorts of setups, from the dodgy to the downright genius. The truth is, wiring a sub isn't rocket science, but knowing a few tricks and understanding your gear makes a world of difference. Proper connection isn't just about sound; it's about protecting your kit too. So, whether you’re adding a brand new beast or just tweaking an existing setup, I’m going to run through the ins and outs of getting that subwoofer singing with your amplifier. We’ll cover passive subs, active ones, and what bits and bobs you’ll need. Let’s get stuck in. ## What You’ll Need Before you start, make sure you have a few things to hand: * **Your Subwoofer:** Active (with its own amp) or Passive (needs an external amp). * **Your Amplifier/AV Receiver:** Make sure it has the right outputs. * **Cables:** RCA cables, speaker wire, or LFE cables, depending on your setup. * **Speaker Wire Strippers (if using bare wire):** Makes life a lot easier. * **Screwdriver:** For tightening connections if needed. * **Patience:** Always useful when dealing with cables behind a rack! ## Understanding Your Subwoofer Type This is the first big split. Most people these days go for active subwoofers, and for good reason. Passive subs are a bit rarer in home cinema setups now, but they’re out there. ### Active Subwoofers An active subwoofer has its own amplifier built right in. You just need to send it a low-level signal from your main amp or receiver. This is by far the most common type you’ll find. They usually have RCA inputs (often one or two, sometimes marked LFE). ### Passive Subwoofers A passive subwoofer is just a speaker in a box, no internal amp. So, it needs power from an external amplifier, just like your main speakers. This means you’ll be connecting it with speaker wire to a dedicated subwoofer output on your amplifier, or sometimes even wiring it in-line with your main speakers (though I generally advise against that for optimum performance if you can avoid it). ## Wiring an Active Subwoofer This is the most common scenario, so let’s start here. Most modern AV receivers and even many stereo amplifiers will have a dedicated "SUB OUT" or "LFE OUT" RCA jack. 1. **Locate the Subwoofer Output:** On the back of your AV receiver or stereo amplifier, find the RCA jack usually labelled "SUB OUT" or "LFE OUT." It’s often a single, coloured (sometimes purple) jack. 2. **Connect the RCA Cable:** Take a single RCA subwoofer cable and connect one end to the "SUB OUT" on your amplifier. 3. **Connect to the Subwoofer:** Connect the other end of that RCA cable to the "LFE IN" or one of the "LINE IN" (typically the left, white one, but either will do if there