Factory Head Unit Subwoofer Out??

Hi All,

I'm adding a sub box and amp to the factory system and am wondering if anyone has used the subwoofer out from the head unit for signal to the sub amp?

I have it hooked up this way and it seems like this output is heavily equalized. Many factory head units do this to get the most out of the factory sub but I think I would like a cleaner signal to start with.

The advantage in doing it this way is keeping the use of the subwoofer out level in the sound menu.

I'm using a downfiring 1.3 cu ft box with 2 10" jl subs and a jl 500/1 amp.

Any thoughts on the best signal source for this set-up?
Someone must have tried the sub out, the rear output, the front output, and have a comparison. Or have a better idea altogether???

I don't have the answer to your question, but I was thinking the same thing. I am about to buy a 2006 Honda Ridgeline and was looking into the aftermarket stereo install options as well.

How does your system sound hooked up to the factory CD player? How big of a hassle is it getting a box to fit under the seat? Any head-ups or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your time!

I don't have the answer to your question, but I was thinking the same thing. I am about to buy a 2006 Honda Ridgeline and was looking into the aftermarket stereo install options as well.

How does your system sound hooked up to the factory CD player? How big of a hassle is it getting a box to fit under the seat? Any head-ups or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your time!

Please use the search tool. There are lots of examples of all that you have asked... Welcome to the ROC!

Hi All,

I'm adding a sub box and amp to the factory system and am wondering if anyone has used the subwoofer out from the head unit for signal to the sub amp?

I have it hooked up this way and it seems like this output is heavily equalized. Many factory head units do this to get the most out of the factory sub but I think I would like a cleaner signal to start with.

The advantage in doing it this way is keeping the use of the subwoofer out level in the sound menu.

I'm using a downfiring 1.3 cu ft box with 2 10" jl subs and a jl 500/1 amp.

Any thoughts on the best signal source for this set-up?
Someone must have tried the sub out, the rear output, the front output, and have a comparison. Or have a better idea altogether???

Did you set your crossover on the amp to around a cut off of 80 hz? Also it seems you are still using the factory door speakers. This is where most of that "mud" heavily middle eq effect is coming from...

Please try out the search tool for sub as this will give you hundreds of informative posts and what others have experienced.

I did the exact set up and it works awesome. You need to get a High level to Low level output adapter. What it does is takes the high level/power output of the sub channel and converts it to Low levl/rca jacks to go into your amp. The adapter box has an adjustment so you can adjust to your liking, usually a little under halfway gives the right amount without distortion. I am running a 300 watt Rockford to 2 Kenwood 10's with front speakers changed out to Infinitys. Stock radio powering mids and Highs, System rocks. :cool: Hopefully this helped.

I'm in the same boat...but wondering if this makes sense. I'm of the oppinion that the factory stuff usually blows. So why go through the trouble of adapting to it.

Better to have a sub then no sub...but I think I'm going to wait it out until I can afford the amp and new sub and replace everything.

I ran a test signal through the setup and it is indeed heavily equalized coming from the factory head unit. With a little playing around with the 500/1's parametric eq I can remove most of it. I think the output is crossed over at about 180Hz and has about a 10 dB boost at 80 - 100Hz.

I am using a hi-level converter but the amp takes high or low level inputs. The sub level from the head unit is quite high even for high level outputs and the converter helps get the level in a range that the amp likes.

The box under the rear seats is quite easy to build for two tens, anything bigger will be tougher. I have always worked hard to keep the factory head unit in my systems. It is a challenge sometimes but it keeps the dash looking clean and deters theft.

I ran a test signal through the setup and it is indeed heavily equalized coming from the factory head unit. With a little playing around with the 500/1's parametric eq I can remove most of it. I think the output is crossed over at about 180Hz and has about a 10 dB boost at 80 - 100Hz.

I am using a hi-level converter but the amp takes high or low level inputs. The sub level from the head unit is quite high even for high level outputs and the converter helps get the level in a range that the amp likes.

The box under the rear seats is quite easy to build for two tens, anything bigger will be tougher. I have always worked hard to keep the factory head unit in my systems. It is a challenge sometimes but it keeps the dash looking clean and deters theft.

Thank you for sharing your findings...