How to Connect a subwoofer to Whole Home Audio System
If you’re looking to Connect Subwoofer to Whole Home Audio System, this guide will walk you through all the best options for achieving rich, room-filling bass across multiple zones.
On July 14, 2025, we received an email from Adrian Gaytan
Good Morning
We recently purchased the holo-whas960w (60wx16) 8 stream 8 zone Amp and came into a few scenarios that I was hoping to get cleared up. The first is on the instruction manual, it says you can add a subwoofer with a crossover and that there are crossovers on amazon. I have no clue what to look for and would like to purchase the correct one. Do you have a model number or link in order to guide me to the correct crossover. Even a recommended subwoofer would be appreciated. This is going to an outdoor patio that is 14×30 feet long.
Second is, I would like to watch movies with at least the 4 speakers on at the same time. However, I currently only have two speakers per zone. When my tv hooks up to the holo whas through bluetooth, I am only able to bluetooth to two speakers at a time. Can I wire in 4 speakers in to one zone and possibly the subwoofer all in one zone? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
So we’re planning to launch a blog that delves deeper into how to connect the subwoofer to multi-room streaming amplifier(MRSA) in whole home audio system（WHAS）. It’ll be a go-to resource for other customers looking for the perfect solution.
Plan A on How to Connect a Subwoofer to Whole Home Audio System: If you’re rocking an OpenAudio Streamer PLUS, Streamer, or StreamerAmp Pro, you’re in luck. These models come equipped with a Subout port, making it a breeze to hook up an active subwoofer directly. Note that for StreamerAmp Pro, it is pre out, but you can still use it to connect a active subwoofer with crossover inside.
Back Pannel with Pre Out Interface of StreamerAmp Pro
Back Pannel with Pre Out Interface of Streamer Plus
Back Pannel with Pre Out Interface of Streamer
Plan B on How to Connect a Subwoofer to Whole Home Audio System: The HOLO-WHAS Ultra, Plus, Max, and the upcoming Ultra-GC, PLUS-GC, and AVR-16200 all boast Line Out and SPDIF ports. With these, you can leverage the Stereo2Mono and EQ features to achieve low-pass filtering, which is ideal for connecting to an active subwoofer on the backend. Just connect Line out or SPDIF to related active subwoofer.
Plan C on How to Connect a Subwoofer to Whole Home Audio System: For those using HOLOWHAS, a converter can be your ally. By High-Level Speaker Signal to Low-Level RCA converter (High to Low adapter), you can seamlessly integrate an active subwoofer into your setup.
You can search this type of converter on Amazon, they are plenty.
Note that: 90% of active subwoofers have a built-in adjustable crossover. The set frequency depends on the size of the main speakers. If very small speakers are used, the subwoofer can be set to 100 Hz. If it’s set higher, the overall sound quality may not be good. The THX standard for subwoofers is 80 Hz.
Plan D on How to Connect a Subwoofer to Whole Home Audio System: Using passive crossover as introduced in our blog Passive crossover for Multi-room Streaming Amplifier.
So for Adrian, we have following answer:
Dear Adrian,
There are two methods for subwoofer:
Method 1/ Use a High Level Speaker Signal to Low Level RCA Converter, you can serch it on amazon.
For example,
Amazon.com: Massive Audio Hi-Low – Car Audio High Level Speaker Signal to Low Level RCA Converter, High to Low Level Signal : Electronics
we never use them before.
Method 2/ User passive crossover as suugest in our Passive crossover | Multi-room Streaming Amplifier
You can connect more than one speaker to L Amplifier out and R Amplifier out for one zone.
If you use 8ohm speaker, you should connect in parallel way.
If you use 4ohm speaker, you should connect them in serial way.
More information about Subwoofer: active and passive
A subwoofer is a specialized speaker designed to deliver low-frequency sounds. The size of the speaker—whether it’s a compact 8-inch model or a larger one—doesn’t define its importance. Even a small subwoofer can play a crucial role in enhancing the overall audio experience. However, subwoofers vary not just in size but also in their design. Some come with a built-in amplifier, making them self-powered and ready to use. Others need to be connected to an external amplifier to function. This distinction leads to two main categories: passive and active subwoofers.
What is a Passive Subwoofer?
A passive subwoofer requires an external power source (that is why it’s called “passive”). This can be an amplifier or receiver. Due to the absence of an integrated amp, it occasionally produces a weaker bass. However, passive subwoofers are conventionally used in multi-subwoofer setups. Obviously, two non-powered subwoofers will produce better sound with more powerful bass than a single active model in your setup.
Passive subs also allow you to create a daisy chain, linking several devices together. This allows the bass to be distributed evenly throughout the room. Moreover, a non-powered subwoofer can be easily upgraded. If you pair it with a high-quality amplifier, the sound will improve drastically.
What is an Active Subwoofer?
An active (or powered) subwoofer has a built-in power source (amplifier) and only needs to be connected to an audio source. That is why they are more popular than passive ones. Besides, active subs are louder thanks to the integrated amp.
Powered subs are not easy to upgrade. You only can change its enclosure or placement, but it won’t give you a wow effect. So, if you will ever want a significantly improved bass, you will probably have to buy a new sub. Moreover, if the internal amp breaks or has any other issues, it will be extremely difficult to replace.
Active Subwoofer
