Yamaha Receiver Subwoofer Setup – (Step by Step Guide)

Looking for a quick and easy Yamaha receiver subwoofer setup? We will unwrap everything!
In this guide, you will learn all about preparing your setup for a subwoofer, conducting the physical installation, and configuring the settings of your brand-new subwoofer.
We will go over the details of the setup and let you know the best methods to optimize the new subwoofer!
So, let’s start with the essentials first!
The Complete Guide for Yamaha Receiver Subwoofer Setup!
Note: Ensure the Yamaha AVR is connected to your TV over an HDMI or a Coaxial connection!
1. Prepare the Setup of the Yamaha AVR

The first and perhaps most important step is to prepare all of the necessary equipment for installing subwoofer/s with the Yamaha AVR.
What you will need is of course, the required cables for the installation along with all of the equipment for the subwoofer and the AVR.
What Equipment Do I Need?
Since you can connect up to two subwoofers with the Yamaha AVR, most users prefer to create a 5:2 or a 7:2 setup, over a regular 5:1 or 7:1 surround sound.
Ensure to sort out the necessary cables/devices and select a proper position for the subwoofer.
How to Prepare the Setup?

Apart from acquiring the necessary equipment, you must also unplug the AVR and subwoofer from the power supply, prior to managing the audio cables.
It is also recommended to temporarily unplug all speaker cables from the AVR and take note of the exact connector where each speaker wire belongs.
Quick Tip: You can use your smartphone to photograph the installation of the AVR cable before installing the subwoofer cable.
2. Complete the Subwoofer’s Installation
The standard installation of any subwoofer with your Yamaha AVR consists of a physical setup and a system setup.
If you haven’t adjusted any of the AVR’s settings yet, it’s time to connect the subwoofer/s to the correct part on the AVR to create the subwoofer’s audio channel.
So, let’s start with identifying the inputs on your subwoofer first!
2.1 How to Identify Subwoofer AVR Inputs?

Once you have the RCA subwoofer cables in place, find the “RCA IN” or “LFE IN” inputs on your subwoofer and connect the jack there.
Lead the cable next to the rear panel of the AVR so it is ready for an input connection.
2.2 How to Identify the Subwoofer Outputs?
After installing the RCA cable on the end of your subwoofer, search for the “SUB OUT” or “LFE” (Low-Frequency Effects) ports on the back of your AVR.
The connections are generally found next to the speaker inputs and should have a sticker or a label that identifies them.
3. Configure the Settings of the Subwoofer

Once you’re done with the physical Yamaha AV receiver subwoofer setup, the next step is to configure the necessary settings that will enable the device’s audio output.
For that purpose, both your AVR and subwoofer must be plugged in and working by the time of configuring.
Let’s start with the most important setting that will enable the subwoofer!
3.1 How to Enable Yamaha Subwoofer Output?
Follow these steps to activate the subwoofer option in the Yamaha AVR menu:
- Press the “Setup” button on the Yamaha AVR’s remote.
- Go to the “Speaker” tab on the menu shown on the TV.
- Access the “Configuration” tab and find “Subwoofer.”
- Now, press the “Left” or “Right” arrow to adjust the tile.
- Exit the tab once the “Subwoofer” line says “<Use>.”
3.2 How to Configure Yamaha Subwoofer Audio?

There are multiple output settings available for the connected Yamaha subwoofers, such as the equalizer option, the “Extra Bass” feature, and the volume output.
You can find all of those settings by navigating to “Setup” → “Speaker.”
- For Extra Bass, go to “Speaker” → “Configuration” → “Extra Bass.”
- For Equalizer, go to “Setup” → “Speaker” → “Equalizer.”
- For Volume, go to “Setup” → “Distance” or “Level.”
Tip: We recommend slightly adjusting the decibels of each setting to sync the subwoofer with the receiver’s output.
3.3 How to Configure Third-Party Subwoofer Settings?
If you’re not using a traditional Yamaha-supplied subwoofer, there may be some extra settings to configure once the physical installation is complete.
Once the “Subwoofer” option is enabled in the “Configuration” menu, search for the following on your third-party subwoofer:
- A “Channel” knob or a button.
- A “Volume” knob or a button.
- A “Bass” knob or a button.
Note: If you know how to regulate these settings on your external subwoofer, feel free to test with different configurations until it matches the AVR’s output.
Important: Subwoofer’s Position! (Multi-Sub Setup)

As established, you can use up to two individual subwoofers with the Yamaha receiver subwoofer setup.
However, in such a setup, each of the subwoofers must have a proper positioning, “Right” or “Left” respectively, to output soundtracks accurately.
On the back of your AVR, the subwoofer audio jacks should also be labeled with “Right” or “Left,” based on the availability of a multi-subwoofer setup.
Before connecting the subwoofers and positioning them, check whether they have to be on the right or left of the receiver.
Note: Follow the setup instructions from earlier to complete your multi-subwoofer setup, but pay attention to the physical placement of your devices.

Finn Wheatley, a Master’s graduate in Computer Science from UCL, London, honed his skills at small data science consultancies. There, he helped large corporations enhance their data capabilities by deploying cutting-edge machine learning analytics and resolving technical hurdles.