How to install a powered sub in your car | Crutchfield

One of our experts shows you the ins and outs of installing a powered subwoofer in your vehicle, from wiring to grabbing power from your battery. Powered subs are a fantastic way to take your driving music to the next level.

Even the smallest powered subs on that list can bring a good amount of bass, adding a nice reinforcement to lower registers and giving your songs some punch. If you want bass that you can feel in your chest, there are powered subs for that, too.

A powered subwoofer can really change how you enjoy music in the car. Bass adds richness and detail that your factory system often lacks, and any kind of music you like just sounds so much more engaging. It works for all music, too, from hip-hop to classical and anything in between.

You can learn more about powered subs on our site:

0:00 Intro
0:17 Disconnect negative battery cable
0:26 Find a grommet leading to the cabin
0:47 Connect to your battery
1:05 Don't forget the fuse
1:21 Determine sub location
1:40 Run the power wires through the car
2:08 Find a grounding point
2:42 Connecting to a factory stereo
3:53 Connecting to an aftermarket stereo
4:15 Making connections on the sub
4:53 Secure the sub
5:12 The bass knob
5:26 Re-connect negative battery cable
5:34 Powered sub settings
5:50 Setting the gain
6:24 Setting the low-pass filter
6:39 Phase switch
6:53 Bass boost
7:04 Recap and contact info

[onethree]

This man's voice is so soothing. He's got me thinking I can actually install this myself lol

[clintonfreudenstein]

Really like your no fuss explanation 😁
You covered all points with precision and offered great advice along the way, as well as offering different options if you don't want to solder

[adamhocking]

I thought I was watching a sleep meditation video and not a car audio installation video! Imagine having a silky smooth voice like that! So jealous 😆

[XxMichx]

Working on my first car audio upgrade and Crutchfield/their service reps have been unbelievably helpful. Already swapped my tweeters and 4 car door speakers, up next is installing the sub and amp/LOC. Don't know how I would have managed this on my own without you guys. Thanks for everything

[diaboloavocado]

Great explanation. No nonsense, easy to follow. Now to see if it'll fit under my seat.

[svkgang]

idk know why i watch the full video like i'm gonna be doing this my self 😂😂

[lilmario]

This is a very professional looking/sounding video. I must say.

[jmoonies_racing]

I have a sub in the back of my suv …. Instead of attaching the Velcro to the sub itself … use L brackets and attach the Velcro to the brackets and your floor …. Makes it removable… I sleep/camp in the back of my vehicle so this mod was much needed

[LIFEOFSTUFFEDANIMALS]

WOW Super helpful! That grommet piercing tool is pretty slick, wish I had that when I installed my wire lol.

[chrisfid]

I'm about to start a new teaching job. If I had a voice like this I'd be promoted principal by weeks end.

[MellostormMusic]

This was helpful as I just purchased an 8" Kicker Hideaway sub from Crutchfileld for my Mazda CX-5 (same car shown). I had it professionally insalled yesterday but they didn't bother tuning it like you show at the end and it sounds crappy. Tomorrow I will try adjusting the levels as shown and hopefully that will do the trick.

[physicsplustwo]

very good explanation. thak u very much.

[Ksport]

Thanks. Super relevant to my situation. Same car (CX-5, but different year) and powered sub (JBL BassPro Nano). I am putting it under the passenger seat to keep as much functionality in the rear hatch as possible. I suppose I could have gone w/the JBL BassPro Hub, but I didn't. Just need to run the power wire over the hump to the passenger side. Since the radio is already on the passenger side, it is just a matter of splicing into the factory harness to "steal" the front speaker signal.

[rustyypuppet]

This man needs to start narrating ASAP.

[jackdaniels]

Back in my youth I learned how to do this on my beater cars.

[rjsal]

Wish the demonstration was like the video from 6 years ago where you show more hands on step by step demonstration. It makes it so much easier for people who know nothing about car audio.

[tsheposhai]

man that voice 🙂 lol awesome video and good quality i will come back to this video when the time comes for me to spoil myself with a subwoofer.

[ifwblaken]

yeah i don’t trust myself to do everything right, just gonna pay someone to do all this. just bought a pioneer 12” TSWX1210A Class D active sub, i’ve already got an amp installed in my trunk (on the back of the back seat) but it’s way too underpowered for the type of sub i want. hope it all goes well

[rustyshackleford]

I have a cadillac deville. Id like to keep it classy without huge subwoofer but this powered sub seems suitable. Maybe right in the trunk or under the backseat perhaps?

[onebreath]

I just ordered new speakers for my jeep and thinking i might add one of these for some extra bass.