If you already have a great infotainment system from the factory, but are looking to further enhance your car audio experience, adding a subwoofer might be the perfect option. A subwoofer will add some much-needed bass to your sound system.

Powering the Subwoofer

The first thing you will need to purchase in addition to your new subwoofer is either a monoblock or a 5-channel amplifier. This is what you will need to actually amplify your subwoofer. A subwoofer is useless without an amplifier to go along with it. On our website, we have a number of subwoofers that have built-in amplifiers for those looking to simplify this process.

In addition, you will also need an amp kit like an NVX Amp Kit, to run power from your car battery to your amplifier itself. That amp kit also includes everything else you will need including wires and cables such as RCAs, speaker wire, and remote wire.

What Is Bass Roll-off and How do I Prevent It?

Now, if you were to install an aftermarket amplifier and subwoofer, the bass would sound good to a point, plateau, then fall flat on its face. This is also referred to as bass roll-off. In a circumstance where you are exclusively using factory components, bass roll-off actually protects your factory system. The factory head unit knows the limitations of the factory speakers and if you keep increasing the volume, the bass eventually rolls off to prevent you from blowing any speakers or subwoofers. 

To prevent bass roll-off with your aftermarket subwoofer you will also need a line output converter (also known as a LOC) like the NVX XLCA2 or the AudioControl LC2i. Line output converters have built-in technology that was designed to overcome that bass roll-off caused by your factory stereo. As shown in the diagram below, to receive an input signal from your factory car stereo you would just need to tap into your rear speaker wires. Then, you would run RCAs from your LOC to your amplifier. Finally, connect your subwoofer to the amplifier using speaker wire as you would normally.  

Although installing an aftermarket subwoofer to a factory car stereo may require a couple of additional steps, it makes it worthwhile for many customers who like the look of their existing car stereo. For any further question please contact our responsive customer support team.

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AudioControl’s engineering team designed the amplifier from the ground up, to deliver superb performance and high-fidelity sound. The chassis is made up of a solid one piece aluminum chassis that helps to evenly distribute heat. A black brushed aluminum cover protects the bank of controls that make the amplifier so special. On the processing end, these amplifiers have active high level inputs – taken from the world famous LC2i – to optimize the audio signal going to the amp, and Maximum Input Level Control – MILC – to optimize the signal delivered from the amp.

Here at Sonic Electronix, we strive to deliver incredible products and even better customer satisfaction- especially when it comes to car audio! This is precisely why we have tested the power on select amplifiers with our SMD AD-1 Amplifier Dyno, bringing you these amps’ true power ratings. Whether you are interested in an entry level or performance amp, we want to make sure that you are purchasing the car audio products that will deliver just the right amount of power for your system. Although each of our amplifiers have their listed peak and RMS power ratings, a Sonic Electronix Certified Amplifier is drastically better for your system because no matter what, you will know precisely the amount of power you will be getting out of your system! Click Here to check out other Sonic Electronix Power Certified Amplifiers.

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1. Equalizers

An equalizer, like the NVX XEQ7, is a device that allows you to fine tune your car’s sound to your liking. These adjustments that an equalizer allows you to make are for specific ranges of sound known as ‘frequency bands’. An equalizer will smooth out the frequency response of your system and help you eliminate unwanted distortion. If you want to have precise control over your sound, you’re going to need to add an equalizer. Adding an equalizer to your sound system will allow you to tune your sound to match your preferences, as well as to the acoustics of your specific car. Read more about equalizers here.

2. Bass Restoration Processors + Expanders

Bass restoration processors, or bass expanders, improve the low frequency reproduction in a car audio system with at least one subwoofer. Bass expander products, such as the famous AudioControl Epicenter, will help your car’s subwoofers produce more accurate bass. These devices restore the earth-shaking power and heart-pounding bass your subwoofers crave. If you are looking for a system that hits lower and harder, a bass restoration processor is the sound processor for you.

3. Crossovers

Electronic crossovers, such as the AudioControl 2XS divide your car’s music into high, low and midrange frequency ranges. These crossovers are perfect for those who want to run an active sound quality system. With an electronic crossover, you can eliminate the passive crossovers and have more control over the frequencies that go to each of the speakers in your system. Some of these crossovers are combinations of both stereo crossovers and stereo equalizers or line drivers.

4. Line Drivers

Line drivers will enhance your audio signal output coming from any factory or aftermarket head unit receiver. They help increase the volume output without over-driving your source or amplifier. The use of a line driver, such as the AudioControl OverDrive, in your car audio system will allow your amplifier’s gain to be set lower, and reducing the system’s low-level noise.

5. Factory Radio Sound Processors

For those who want to keep their factory radio, yet would also like to achieve the best sound possible in their vehicle, factory radio sound processors are just the thing for you. These sound processors, like JBL’s MS-8 Digital Sound Processor, are professional sound processors which improve the acoustics of your factory audio system. With factory radio sound processors, your factory system will sound better than you ever thought possible. In addition, most of these sound processors also have built-in equalizers, line drivers, and crossovers to  improve every measure of audio performance including frequency response, bass performance, dynamics, clarity, detail and stereo imaging.

Now that you know what each type of digital sound processor’s function and benefits are, you can better make a decision of which one is best for your sound system. If, however, you still need help choosing which sound processor will work for you, you can always call our knowledgeable experts at 1-877-289-7664!

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