Subwoofer adapters are any cables and connectors that allow subwoofers to be connected to audio equipment, such as amplifiers and receivers, with mismatched audio jacks. A subwoofer adapter is usually named according to the types of connections it can make, such as tip, ring, sleeve (TRS) to XLR adapters. In general, any audio adapter, even if it isn't labeled as a subwoofer adapter, can be used with a subwoofer, if it provides the right types of connections.
A subwoofer adapter cable consists of a cable that terminates with two or more connectors on each end. Typically, one type of connector is on one end, while a different type is on the other. Some common adapter cables include TRS to XLR, Radio Corporation of America (RCA) to TRS, and Y-adapter cables, all of which provide two connectors on one end and a single connector on the other. The length of the cable varies for each type of adapter cable. Adapter cables that consist of RCA cabling, however, should be kept as short as possible to reduce audio interference.
A subwoofer adapter connector consists of one type of connector on one end and a different type on the other end. It is used in conjunction with other audio cables and can be used in any application where a subwoofer adapter cable is used. Purchasing a connector is sometimes more economical than purchasing an adapter cable, if the owner of the equipment already owns a cable that's compatible with the subwoofer or the sound source that's going to be connected to the subwoofer.
It is common for subwoofer adapters to be labeled as male or female. A male connector consists of a protruding jack, while a female connector consists of a receiving socket. Subwoofers and their audio sources, such as amplifiers, typically contain female connectors, and cables with male connectors on both ends are usually used to connect equipment. In some cases, however, it is necessary to use a male to female adapter. For example, one of these is typically used when a separate cable is being inserted into the adapter.
The Y-adapter, which is available in cable and connector forms, provides two connectors of one type on one end and a single connector, usually of the same type, on the other end. For example, the Y-adapter might consist of two male RCA jacks on one end and one female RCA jack on the other end. Y-adapters split the audio from mono or stereo audio sources into two separate signals. This type of adapter can be used to connect the output of an audio source to a subwoofer containing two audio inputs.
Wireless subwoofer adapters allow subwoofers to be connected to an audio source wirelessly. Typically, these types of adapters consist of a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter is connected to the audio source's output, while the receiver is connected to the subwoofer's audio input. When the audio source is turned on and sound is playing, the transmitter sends the audio to the receiver on the subwoofer. Every wireless subwoofer adapter has a limited range of communication, which is typically specified in feet or meters, and the subwoofer and audio source must be placed within that range to communicate with one another without interruption.
