Connecting an active subwoofer to active speakers is typically a straightforward process using the designated audio outputs on your speakers.
To connect an active subwoofer to active speakers, you generally utilize the speakers' audio output specifically designed for a subwoofer or line-level signal and connect it to the subwoofer's input.
Based on the provided information: Connect one end of the RCA or 3.5mm cable to the line output (may be marked sub out) on your active speakers or amplifier. Connect the other end of the RCA cable to the RCA input on your subwoofer.
This method ensures that the low-frequency audio signal processed by your active speakers (or coming into them via an amplifier) is sent directly to the subwoofer to reproduce the deep bass frequencies.
Step-by-Step Connection Guide
Here's a simple breakdown of the process:
- Identify the Output Port: Locate the Line Output or Sub Out port on the back of your active speakers. This port is designed to send a low-level audio signal to another device, like a subwoofer. It is commonly an RCA type port, but might also be 3.5mm depending on your speaker model.
- Locate the Input Port: Find the RCA Input (often labelled Line In) on the back of your active subwoofer. This is where the subwoofer receives the audio signal it needs to process. Active subwoofers have built-in amplifiers, so they need a line-level signal, not a speaker-level signal.
- Select the Right Cable: Get a suitable audio cable. As mentioned in the reference, this is often an RCA cable. If your speaker's output is 3.5mm, you might need a 3.5mm to RCA cable (stereo to mono RCA often works, or stereo to dual RCA if the sub has stereo line inputs). However, the reference specifically notes connecting the other end of the RCA cable to the subwoofer's RCA input, implying an RCA-to-RCA connection is most common on the subwoofer side.
- Make the Connection:
- Connect one end of the chosen audio cable (e.g., RCA end) to the Line Output (Sub Out) on your active speakers.
- Connect the other end of the cable (e.g., the other RCA end) to the RCA Input on your active subwoofer.
Understanding the Connections
- Line Out / Sub Out (on Speakers): This output provides a processed or specific low-frequency signal intended for a device like a subwoofer or another amplifier. It's a low-voltage signal, unlike the high-voltage speaker outputs you'd connect passive speakers to.
- RCA Input (on Subwoofer): This input is designed to receive the line-level audio signal. The active subwoofer's internal amplifier then boosts this signal to power its speaker driver.
Practical Tips
- Check Your Manuals: Always consult the user manuals for both your active speakers and active subwoofer to confirm port types and recommended connection methods.
- Cable Type: While a 3.5mm cable might be used from a source device into your active speakers, the output from the speakers to the subwoofer is frequently RCA (often a single RCA for a dedicated sub output). Ensure your cable matches the output on your speakers and the input on your subwoofer.
- Subwoofer Settings: Once connected, adjust your subwoofer's volume, crossover frequency, and phase controls to integrate it smoothly with your main active speakers. The crossover dial determines the maximum frequency the subwoofer will play; frequencies above this point are handled by your main speakers.
This method provides a clean signal path, allowing your active speakers to handle the mid and high frequencies while the active subwoofer takes care of the low-end, resulting in a more balanced and impactful audio experience.
