An equalizer is a piece of great audio equipment for filtering out noise and adjusting sound frequencies to be more pleasing to the ear. Connecting the equalizer to an amplifier will further boost the sound output and improve the sound quality.
You can connect the equalizer to your amplifier using a receiver and preamp. There are other ways to connect your equalizer and amplifier, and we’ll be looking at some of them later.
So if you have been wondering how to connect equalizer to amplifier, you’ll get your answers here. At the end of this post, you’ll be a master at setting up your sound equipment and learn different ways you can use your equalizer.
What Is An Equalizer?
An equalizer is a device that can alter frequencies in your audio to match your taste. An equalizer is designed with components that allow you to tweak certain frequencies – you can lower or increase the frequency.
The application of the equalizer is widespread: there are some in cars to boost the audio output, and some are designed for studio use or indoor applications. There are several types of equalizers, but they all serve the same function, adjusting sound frequencies.
Some common types of equalizers include Graphic EQ, Parametric EQ, Shelving EQ, Linear Phase EQ, Dynamic EQ, and others.
What Is An Amplifier?
An amplifier is another piece of audio equipment used to improve the quality of sound. An amplifier receives low signals from the head unit, strengthens the signal, and transmits it to a speaker or microphone to produce a clearer and louder sound signal.
There are also different types of amplifiers with varying structures and modes of operation. You can use an amplifier with other audio gear such as mixers, speakers, subwoofers, and equalizers.
Without further ado, let’s dive into how to connect an equalizer to an amplifier.
How To Connect An Equalizer To An Amplifier?
There are different circumstances in which you can connect your equalizer to the amplifier – this will depend on the type of amplifier we’re dealing with. We will show you three ways to connect the equalizer to the amplifier without any stress.
You can connect the equalizer with a receiver, without a receiver, and using a preamp.
Connecting With A Receiver
Connecting with a receiver means you have three pieces of equipment in the setup: the receiver, the equalizer, and the amplifier. Before starting this process, ensure that your receiver and amp have preamp-in and preamp-out channels (although most usually do).
After confirming, you can get the tools you’ll need to run the connection. You’ll need 2 pairs of RCA cables because you’ll be connecting three pieces of equipment. Note that the length of the cables should be suitable for the distance between the receiver and the equalizer.
Once you’ve got the right cable, we can begin the connection.
First, connect the equalizer and the receiver with the first pair of RCA cables – fix the jacks into the preamp-out port of the receiver and the equalizer jacks, and ensure a stable connection. The cables are color-coded, and you will see the corresponding colors on the surface of the jacks.
After connecting the equalizer and the receiver, the next task is connecting the amplifier to the receiver. Use the second RCA cable to link the amplifier and the receiver. You fit them by color: white goes in the white port, and red goes in the red port.
Once you’ve completed the connection, you can now enjoy your setup. Turn on your setup and listen to the sound produced, if there is static noise, it could indicate poor wire contact, or you’ve put the wrong jack on the right port – so be sure to double check your connections.
Now that you are connected, you can use the equalizer to adjust the audio frequency to your taste.
Connecting Without A Receiver
There are instances where a receiver is missing from the setup, and you will need to connect the equalizer and amplifier directly. There is no need to panic, and the process is not much different from the one we just discussed.
Get two pairs of RCA cables as we did above. Note that both the equalizer and the amplifier have their preamp in and out port. Take a pair of RCA cables and connect the amplifier’s output port to the equalizer’s input port.
Take the second pair of cables and connect the amplifier’s input port to the output port of the equalizer. At this point, you’ve completed the setup and can test the sound quality. You can also use the equalizer to prepare the sound you want to hear.
Connecting With A Preamp
You can also connect your equalizer to a preamp, it is a sort of amplifier that collects signals and transmits them to the powered amplifier.
You’ll also need two pairs of RCA cables to complete this setup. Locate the Out To EQ port on the preamp and link it to the EQ loop using the first RCA cable. Next, use the second pair to link the power amplifier and Out To Amplifier port.
Once you complete the steps above, you can test your equalizer and amplifier connection for any problems.
Other Ways You Can Mount An Equalizer
Aside from connection methods we’ve shown you above, there are other ways you can utilize an equalizer.
Mounting An Equalizer In The Car
You can spice up the sound experience from your car stereo using an equalizer. Some cars have an equalizer already installed while older models may not have this luxury.
Manufacturers are now making mountable equalizers that will fit nicely in a small compartment of your vehicle.
The first task is determining where you’ll mount the equalizer unit. You can mount the unit on your dashboard, under the seat, or in the trunk. There are a few things you should consider when deciding where to place the unit, such as easy accessibility (for future changes), the amount of space in your car, and the type of equalizer you’re getting.
The new and most convenient type of equalizer is the remote-mount equalizer. The remote-mount equalizer comes with a remote control that you can use to adjust the sound from the driver’s seat.
Also, remember that you will have to connect wires to the other components of the sound system. You should place the equalizer where the wires won’t disturb the operation of your vehicle.
Once you’ve decided, the next step is connecting it to the remaining units in the car. First, you should connect the stereo receiver to the equalizer – you will need 2 pairs of RCA cables. Ensure you get the right type of cables and also the appropriate length.
To connect the wires to the receiver, you first need to remove them from the dashboard. When removing the receiver, connect the cables to the preamp outputs and hold them together with masking tape. Be careful when removing the receiver and avoid breaking anything.
Connect the other end of the cable to the preamp inputs on the equalizer. You can run the cable through the dashboard so it won’t stand out inside your vehicle. Also, tape the wires together to make them more compact and easy to hide.
After you’ve connected your receiver to the equalizer, you can go ahead and mount the equalizer. However, we advise that you don’t mount the equalizer directly to any metal part of your car. Instead, place a rubber padding or something that won’t cause interference between the equalizer and the metal surface.
Once you’ve mounted your equalizer, the next step is general installation. Before starting this part, ensure you turn off your vehicle and remove the battery if possible. You will be working with many wires, and leaving your car running can expose you to shock.
The next step is installing the ground wire. Inspect your equalizer, there should be a black wire – this is the ground wire. The ground wire is there to transfer any leaking current away from your equalizer and down to the ground. Fix the wire at a location close to where you’ve installed the equalizer.
After setting up the ground wire, the next step is setting up the power cable. The power cable has a rating of 12V, and you need to connect it to a source with that amount of output. You can easily identify the power cable with its yellow color or whatever color is specified in the manual.
Next, set up the remote turn-on wire. The remote turn-on wire allows you to control the EQ with the remote control. You can identify the wire by its blue color, and you should connect it to the other blue wire from the amplifier.
You’re done with the setup at this point, and all that is left is to test your work. Turn your car on and play something, then try to use the equalizer. If the connection is wrong, you can put the receiver back in place and close the dashboard.
The in-dash equalizer is another common type of unit used in cars. The in-dash EQ doesn’t have a remote control, but you can easily access the controls from your dash.
It is the same process as mounting the remote-EQ, except it is placed in the dash close to the amplifier and receiver.
Factors To Consider Before Getting An Amplifier
Don’t be in a hurry to get a new amplifier. Instead, take your time and consider some factors that affect your decision.
Size
The size of the amplifier is the main factor to consider. There are several sizes of amplifiers on the market, and it would be unwise to go out there and get the first one you see.
Before getting an amplifier, get an accurate estimate of how much space you have to manage. If you want to get one for your car, you know you don’t have a lot of space. Therefore, you should be getting a small-sized amp.
On the other hand, if you plan to put the amplifier in your trunk, you can get a larger version without worrying about space and size.
Power Rating
The power unit is another crucial factor you mustn’t forget. The power unit of the amp is a measure of how much current it gives out to the speaker. Before you get any amp, ensure you check the power rating.
If the power rating is higher than the speakers that will be connected, there is a high chance that the amp will spoil the speakers. Also, if the power rating is less than the speaker’s, it can damage the amp by overloading it.
Again, the amp’s power output should be written where you can easily see it or in the instruction manual.
Impedance
The impedance of your amp should be compatible with your speakers and equalizers. If they are not properly matched, the sound quality will be bad.
Channels
The channels refer to the number of output ports, meaning the number of speakers you can connect at a time. Some amps have one channel, while some have up to two or four channels.
If you want to use more than one speaker with your amp, you can get one with multiple channels. On the other hand, there are ways you can use more than the designated number of speakers for an amp, and you can learn how to do sohere.
Conclusion
In this article we looked at how to connect equalizer to amplifier using three different methods. An equalizer is a device that allows you to adjust audio frequencies to produce different tones. You can connect your amplifier to an equalizer to get an even better sound quality.
We also discussed ways you can fix an EQ in your car and discussed the types of equalizers that will fit nicely in your automobile.
There’s nothing more satisfying than customizing your own sound system to create the perfect audio experience. Good luck and happy listening!