RW8CA: How To Set Up

Introduction

The Rockville RW8CA Active Subwoofer is a compact and powerful solution for adding deep bass to your vehicle without taking up much space. This guide will walk you through the setup process, including wiring, connections, and controls.

What's Included?

Your Rockville RW8CA comes with:

• RW8CA Active Subwoofer
• Mounting Hardware (for securing the sub inside your vehicle)
• Bass Remote Knob (for volume control)
• Remote Wire (to connect the knob to your subwoofer)
• High-Level Input Wire Harness (for head units without RCA outputs)

Due to its slim design, the subwoofer fits conveniently under the driver's seat or passenger seat, saving space compared to traditional subwoofers.

Wiring the Subwoofer

Power Connections

On the front panel, you’ll find power terminals for proper connection:

1. 12V Power Line – Connects to the positive terminal of your car battery.
2. Remote Turn-On Wire – Connects to the ignition or accessory switch so the sub powers on with the vehicle.
3. Ground Line – Must be securely connected to the vehicle’s metal chassis for proper grounding.

Power Indicator Lights:

• Green Light (Power) – Illuminates when the subwoofer is properly powered.
• Red Light (Protect Mode) – Indicates a wiring issue or an internal fault that needs attention.

Adjusting Subwoofer Settings

Auto Turn-On Switch

• ON: The subwoofer powers up automatically when it detects an audio signal.
• OFF: The subwoofer must be powered manually.

Phase Switch (0° or 180°)

• Adjust the phase if the bass sounds out of sync with your other speakers.
• Toggle between 0° and 180° to determine which setting provides better bass response.

Low Pass Filter (LPF)

• Controls which low-end frequencies are played.
• Example: Set to 100Hz, and only frequencies 100Hz and below will be heard.

Bass Boost

• Increases the bass output by up to 18dB for a deeper, punchier low-end.

Input Gain Control

• Adjusts the overall output level of the subwoofer.
• Proper gain setting ensures clear, undistorted bass.

Connecting Audio Sources

1. RCA Input (Low-Level Input)

• Connects to the RCA outputs of your head unit for a clean, direct audio signal.

2. High-Level Input (Speaker Wire Input)

• Used when your head unit lacks RCA outputs:
  • Connect the included high-level input harness to the speaker output wires of your head unit.
  • Plug the harness into the high-level input on the subwoofer.

Using the Bass Remote Knob

1. Connect one end of the remote wire to the bass remote knob.
2. Connect the other end to the remote input on the subwoofer.
3. Now you can adjust the subwoofer volume from the front of your vehicle.

Final Steps: Placement & Installation

• Position the subwoofer under the driver's or passenger's seat.
• If placing it elsewhere, use the included mounting hardware for a secure fit.
• Once everything is connected, power on the subwoofer and test your system.

Conclusion

The Rockville RW8CA Active Subwoofer is a powerful yet compact solution for enhancing bass in your car. With proper wiring, adjustments, and tuning, you’ll enjoy deep, clean bass without taking up much space.