What Are Subwoofer Cables?

Subwoofer Cables

Cables for the subwoofer belong to the class of analog interconnects but have some peculiarities. They are essential because cable matter for sound quality. As a rule, the subwoofer is located at a considerable distance from the main system, so the cable for its connection must belong. Accordingly, the connector must have reliable shielding from external interference and have a low loss of useful signal. Very often subwoofer cables have a pseudo-balanced geometry, effectively resisting the influence of electromagnetic fields. In addition, for ease of concealed wiring, it is desirable that the subwoofer cable has good flexibility and strong external insulation.

In case the subwoofer is equipped with a standard stereo input, a Y-adapter is required to connect it to the LFE output of the receiver. Such an adapter can be purchased separately for a standard interconnect cable, but specialized subwoofer connectors may already have a similar configuration.

Model Differences

If a subwoofer is supposed to be used as part of a stereo system, it is recommended to connect it to the acoustic outputs of the amplifier. Some models of subwoofers may have standard screw terminals, which are suitable for ordinary speaker cables, but many subs are equipped for this purpose with professional Neutrik connectors. In this case, a special wire for subwoofer connection is also required, which may be included in the delivery of the woofer module, but it can also be purchased separately.

Subwoofer to Receiver Analog Cable

Subwoofer and receiver cable – aka interconnect cable – is a more complex product than speaker cable. It requires a different design of the wire itself, which applies a lot of innovation in both the conductor material used and the dielectric coating, unlike conventional speaker cables. A subwoofer to receiver connection cable must have connectors at the ends and have a presentable appearance.

Variety Of Cables

Today the market is full of “interconnect” wires of different colors, and the price will also satisfy everyone:

• Here everything depends not so much on quality but on the manufacturer’s brand (fame and reputation),
• We don’t need super-elite wires in gilded packages with velvet lining, so let’s stop at affordable models.

Interconnects are divided into two large categories:

• The first category focused on the transmission of analog signals (“interconnects” or “analog” wires),
• The second category – designed to transmit only digital data, for simplicity is called “digital” cables.

“Analog” Cables

This type of interconnect is designed to carry low-current signals from the source to its processing devices, amplifier, switch, and others:

• To provide such a connection, a shielded audio wire is usually used, which is arranged according to the coaxial scheme of its conductor arrangement – the central conductor will be protected from extraneous cues by a shield, which is usually made of a large number of thin metal strands,
• Such a design allows you to avoid interference from nearby electrical appliances and allows low-current signals with minimal losses,
• When connecting such wires, they use convenient RCA connectors (popularly called “tulips” or “bells”),
• They are now the most common in household equipment,
• As a rule, under the term “interconnect cable” we mean the connector, which consists of two wires and 4-RCA connectors (in simple words, “2-tulip on 2-tulip” wire), which can transmit signals from two channels of one component of your system to another.