Answers | Q&A (Week of 4.28.25)

Subwoofers: high-level or low-level inputs?

Question:

I have owned a couple of different brands of subwoofers. Both brands suggest using high level (speaker) connections to have better sound with the subwoofer and the main speakers. And - I have found that to be the case. My question is - why does this type of connection sound better that an XLR/RCA interconnect connection? Thank you.

—Chris L

Answer:

The main reason cited for the use of high (speaker) level connections by OEMs that offer it is the goal of preserving the character of the power amplifier for the subwoofer. On one level, this means that you get the distortions of the power amplifier added to the signal to the subwoofer. While nominally bad, some of those distortions may be frequency or timing “character” that helps the subwoofer blend with the main speakers.

A more practical reason for using high-level connections is that not all preamps and integrated amps, and DACs have separate subwoofer outputs. So, a high-level connection makes it easy to connect in such situatio…