RMW8A: How To Set Up, WIre & Install

Introduction

The Rockville RMW8A 8-inch powered subwoofer is designed to deliver deep bass and enhance your car audio system. This guide will walk you through connecting power, wiring the remote control, adjusting settings, and troubleshooting common issues.

What’s Included:

• RMW8A 8-inch powered subwoofer
• Power harness (for power, ground, and remote connections)
• Bass remote knob & connection cable
• Extra fuse

Step-by-Step Installation

1. Connecting the Power Harness

On the side of the subwoofer, you’ll find the power input port for the wire harness.

Steps to Connect:

1. Align the harness plug with the port and connect it securely.
2. Ensure it snaps in smoothly (it only fits one way).

Wire Connections:

• Red Power Wire: Connect to a 12V lead from the battery.
• Black Ground Wire: Attach to a metal chassis ground point in the vehicle.
• Blue Remote Wire: Connect to either:
  • The ignition/accessory switch OR
  • The remote output of the head unit (if available).

Tip: If you need help wiring these, refer to Rockville’s amplifier installation guide for a detailed walkthrough.

2. Checking the Status LED

The status LED indicator is located at the bottom of the subwoofer:

• Blue LED: The subwoofer is powered and receiving signal.
• Flashing Red LED: Indicates clipping, distortion, or protect mode.

Troubleshooting: If the subwoofer enters protect mode frequently, check out Rockville’s troubleshooting guide for solutions.

3. Replacing the Fuse (If Needed)

• The subwoofer fuse is located below the power harness.
• If needed, use the extra fuse included in the package.
• To replace it:
  1. Remove the old fuse.
  2. Insert the new fuse into place.
  3. Use pliers if the fuse is difficult to remove.

4. Installing the Bass Remote Knob

The bass remote knob allows you to adjust the subwoofer volume from the front of your vehicle.

Steps to Install:

1. Plug one end of the bass remote cable into the Electronic Bass Control Port on the subwoofer.
2. Plug the other end into the port on the back of the bass remote knob.
3. Use the included screws to mount the bass remote knob to your dashboard or a convenient location.
4. Adjust the bass level using the knob.

5. Adjusting Subwoofer Settings

Crossover Knob (Frequency Filter)

• Adjusts the high-frequency cutoff from 30Hz to 500Hz.
• Example: Setting it to 250Hz allows the subwoofer to play only 250Hz and below.
• Adjust based on your main speaker setup for optimal bass.

Gain Knob (Output Level)

• Controls the overall subwoofer volume.
• Recommended setting: 75-80% to leave room for adjustments using the bass remote knob.

Tip: If the bass sounds distorted, reduce the gain and adjust the bass remote knob instead.

6. Connecting to a Head Unit

The Left and Right RCA Inputs allow you to connect the subwoofer to your head unit.

Steps to Connect:

• Use RCA cables to connect the subwoofer to the subwoofer output of the head unit.
• If your head unit lacks dedicated sub outputs, use line-level converters.

Tip: Ensure your head unit’s subwoofer settings are correctly configured for the best sound.

Conclusion

Setting up the Rockville RMW8A 8-inch powered subwoofer is quick and easy, providing deep bass for your car audio system. By correctly wiring the power, connecting the bass remote, adjusting the crossover and gain settings, and ensuring proper connections to your head unit, you’ll achieve the best bass performance.