How to Connect a Subwoofer to a Mixer
Updated Nov 13, 2026 · By 
Jonah Mercer · Editorial policy
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To connect a subwoofer to a mixer, run a balanced XLR or 1/4-inch cable from the mixer's main output, sub output, or aux send into the subwoofer's line input, then run the subwoofer's output on to your main speakers. Start with levels down, then raise the subwoofer level until the low end sits under the main speakers without overpowering them.
Find the right output on your mixer
Look for an output marked sub, subwoofer, mono, or aux send on the mixer. The output you choose sets which signal reaches the subwoofer, so pick the one that carries the full mix or the channels you want in the low end.
Run a cable from the mixer to the subwoofer
Connect a balanced XLR or 1/4-inch cable from the mixer output you chose to the subwoofer's line input. A balanced cable resists hum and interference over the distance between the mixer and the subwoofer. If the mixer output and the subwoofer input both use RCA, use an RCA cable instead.
Send the signal on to the main speakers
If the subwoofer has an output, connect it to your main speakers so the signal passes through the subwoofer before it reaches them. The subwoofer's built-in crossover keeps the low end for itself and passes the rest on to the speakers.
Set the levels before you play sound
Turn the subwoofer level and the mixer output level down before you switch anything on. Raise the main speaker level, then bring the subwoofer level up slowly until the low end supports the main speakers. If the low end drowns out the rest of the mix, turn the subwoofer level back down.
Adjust the crossover and balance by ear
Set the crossover where the subwoofer hands over to the main speakers, so no part of the sound is missing and no part is doubled. Listen from where the audience stands and adjust the subwoofer level until the low end sits even with the rest of the mix. Change each control on its own and listen after each change.
What you need
Gemini Line Array PA System & Subwoofer
A 1200-watt column PA with an 8-inch powered subwoofer and a 3-channel mixer, plus an XLR mix output for sending the signal on to a second speaker or subwoofer.
- Power: 1200 W, the most here
- Woofer size: 3 in
- Mic input
- Bluetooth
- 1-year warranty stated
Rockville Titan MIX12A 3200W Peak 12-Inch Powered
A 12-inch powered subwoofer system with an 8-channel mixer, XLR, 1/4-inch TRS and RCA inputs, and a 600W RMS subwoofer for the low end.
- Power: 600 W
- Woofer size: 12 in
- Mic input
- Bluetooth
- 1-year warranty stated
Electro Voice Evolve 30m 1000W Portable Column
A portable column system with a 10-inch subwoofer, a Class-D amplifier rated at 1000W, and QuickSmart DSP for signal routing and input options.
- Power: 1000 W
- 3 year warranty stated
ALTO TS108C 600W Powered Column Array PA
A 600W powered column array with a built-in subwoofer and a 3-channel digital mixer with reverb, Bluetooth streaming, and app control.
- Power: 600 W
- Woofer size: 3 in
- Bluetooth
- 1-year warranty stated
These come from our ranked list Best Pa System with Subwoofer, which compares them spec by spec.
Frequently asked questions
Can I connect a subwoofer to a mixer without a sub output?
Yes. Use the mixer's main output or an aux send into the subwoofer's line input, then run the subwoofer's output on to the main speakers. The subwoofer still receives the mix, and the main output carries the same signal it always does.
Do I need a crossover to connect a subwoofer to a mixer?
A subwoofer with a built-in crossover splits the signal itself, sending the low end to the subwoofer and the rest on to the main speakers.
What cable do I use between a mixer and a subwoofer?
A balanced XLR or 1/4-inch cable is the usual choice between a mixer output and a subwoofer line input. Use RCA only when the mixer output and the subwoofer input both use RCA.
Why is my subwoofer silent after I connect it to the mixer?
Check that the output you used is turned up and not muted, that the cable sits in the subwoofer's line input, and that the subwoofer is switched on with its level up. A cable plugged into an input that carries no signal stays silent.
Ranked pa speakers lists
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