M THE DAILY INSIGHT
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How do I connect my subwoofer to my sound system?

By Matthew Sanders

How do I connect my subwoofer to my sound system?

Use RCA cable or subwoofer cable to connect from the “Sub Out” or “LFE Out” on your receiver, preamplifier or amplifier to the subwoofer input jack. Turn the subwoofer “On” on your receiver or preamplifer menu. Connect using speaker-level connections.

Where does the sound come out of a subwoofer?

Typically, you position a subwoofer along the front wall of the room. Moving all of the bass sounds to the subwoofer gives your front speakers the ability to focus on mid- and high-range frequencies. (The subwoofer can handle all the low-frequency bass sounds in a home theater.)

Is the subwoofer supposed to make sound?

A subwoofer is speaker sized and looks like one, but it cannot produce music or sound on its own. If you play music through it you will only hear the bass. Other instruments like the drums, guitar, and vocals won’t come through your sub.

Why do I not get thumping sound from my subwoofer?

If you do not hear a thumping sound then there is a possible service issue with the subwoofer. Connect the other end of the subwoofer cable to the subwoofer audio output connector on the back of the receiver. NOTE: Some receiver models may have two outputs to drive two subwoofers.

What do I do if my subwoofer won’t turn on?

If your subwoofer has a standby function, turn it off. Connect one end of the audio cable to the subwoofer audio input connector. Very lightly tap on the center conductor of the other end of the cable. If the subwoofer is powered on and adjusted properly, you should be able to hear a thumping sound on the subwoofer.

How to connect a subwoofer to a receiver without a speaker?

Example of a powered subwoofer with 2 types of signal inputs (speaker level and RCA jacks) along with sound controls. Note: Not all subwoofers have speaker level inputs, which makes it a problem connecting them to a receiver without a subwoofer output.

Can a subwoofer be used without a crossover?

In order to produce clean-sounding bass without vocals or other sounds a subwoofer can’t properly produce, a low-pass crossover is used to allow only bass frequencies to pass & be produced. The problem comes when you try to connect a subwoofer to a signal without a crossover – it sounds terrible!

How to troubleshoot no sound coming from an Active Subwoofer?

A separate article about the difference between an active subwoofer and a passive subwoofer is available. Select Settings. Select Speaker. Select Speaker SP. Make sure that the Speaker pattern ends in either a .1 or .2. NOTE: If a pattern that ends in .0 is selected, the subwoofer will not work.

What should I do if my surround sound is not working?

If a scene is taking place in a forest, you may hear blowing wind or birds chirping. Make sure the speaker cables are securely connected to the subwoofer. Make sure the subwoofer is powered on. (A light on the back of the subwoofer will light up to indicate the subwoofer is powered on.)

How can I make my sound come out of my subwoofer?

Select Test Tone, and then select On . To end the Test tone, select Off. On the sound bar, press the INPUT button for five seconds to play back the pre-installed sample music. Press the INPUT button again to end the playback of the pre-installed sample music and return it to its former state. Get Support Content on the Go!

How can I tell if my Sony subwoofer is still on?

In this case, set the sound field setting to A.F.D. AUTO or a another sound field. Sony® receivers will send a simulated LFE signal to the subwoofer and the SW indicator will light up. Verify the subwoofer power cord is plugged into an active AC outlet and that the subwoofer is powered on.