How To Connect A Subwoofer: A User's Guide - Klipsch

Your new, sweet, rumbling Klipsch subwoofer is here. You’ve found the perfect spot in your home to set it up.

But, wait - how do you connect your Klipsch sub to the rest of your home theater system?It’s one of the most commonly-asked questions about our world-class subs - how do you connect them? While the answers vary depending on what type of connection you’re working with, we’ll walk you through a few options for optimal performance.

SHOP ALL SUBWOOFERS>

How Do I Connect a Klipsch Subwoofer to an A/V Receiver?

Subwoofers are most commonly connected to an AV Receiver as part of a larger system.

Pro-tip: try out Onkyo or Pioneer AV Receivers for best-in-class performance with Klipsch speakers.

“The optimal connection is to use the RCA (Phono) ‘sub’ or ‘woofer’ line out on home theater receivers and preamps,” says Klipsch Coordinator of Technical Information Chad Charleston. “Some subwoofers offer High-Level inputs (speaker wire connections), they are there for use with a receiver or preamp without a sub-RCA connection. You don't need to use both. In most cases, it's not recommended.

“The best thing to do is to experiment until it sounds just right for your listening style,” Charleston says.

Get tips on how to choose the best amplifier or receiver for your speakers here.

“In some cases, you may find an RCA connector marked LFE (Low-Frequency Effects) on a receiver or preamp; hooking up the LFE jacks usually only sends bass special effects of a 5.1-encoded movie to the subwoofer. In that case, when music is played on a two-channel source (for example, a CD), the subwoofer may not receive any signal at all,” Charleston says. ”That situation would call for a hookup of both the LFE jacks and the speaker terminal jacks to a subwoofer, in order for the sub to produce bass with all sources. You would need to set the main speakers to "large" in the receiver or preamp set-up menu.

Charleston strongly recommends checking your owner’s manual about connecting to both LFE in and speaker wire inputs. With some older subwoofers, this was listed as "optional" and it's fine to connect to both; however with most subs today, this is not recommended, as it may damage the sub electronics. So double-check the manual or contact our tech support department to clarify any questions regarding Klipsch subs.

How Do I Connect a Klipsch Subwoofer to Klipsch Speakers?

You will need either a receiver or a preamplifier and amplifier. Using a subwoofer cable (RCA cable), connect the subwoofer to the AV receiver by running the cable from the receiver’s subwoofer output to the subwoofer’s line input. Klipsch subwoofers can be connected via the LFE channel, the white RCA connection, or in a stereo pair by using both the white and red RCA connections.

If you don’t have an AV receiver, most preamplifiers have a subwoofer output. Connect your subwoofer in the same manner – connect the subwoofer by running the cable from the preamplifier’s output to the subwoofer’s line input.

Get more tips on subwoofer connections here.

SHOP ALL SUBWOOFERS>