Struggling to connect your new Vizio soundbar and wireless subwoofer for room-filling audio?
Properly pairing and configuring these home theater components is easy when you follow a few key steps.
Let’s dive into the complete process including setup, connections, audio adjustments and positioning tips for subwoofer integration.
How to Connect Vizio Soundbar to Subwoofer
Connecting a Vizio soundbar to its subwoofer is done by positioning the subwoofer appropriately, connecting power, pairing wirelessly, and adjusting audio settings.
We’ll explore the complete process in more detail below. But broadly, it involves enabling Bluetooth pairing on both devices to connect, configuring bass management, testing audio, and positioning the subwoofer optimally.
Now let’s dive deeper into each step.
Check Soundbar and Subwoofer Compatibility
Before connecting your Vizio soundbar and subwoofer, you’ll want to verify that the two devices are intended to be used together and are compatible.
Most Vizio systems are packaged and sold together, but if you’ve purchased a soundbar and subwoofer separately or are using existing equipment, double checking compatibility is an important first step.
To determine compatibility, look at the model numbers and product information for both devices.
There should be an indication that they can be paired together.
For example, the model numbers may share a common series or prefix.
Or the product descriptions may state that the soundbar works with certain subwoofer models.
If you cannot find clear information that the devices are compatible, check with Vizio support before proceeding, as connecting incompatible equipment could result in no audio, issues with connecting, or even electrical shorts in some cases.
Position Subwoofer
Once you’ve confirmed the soundbar and subwoofer models are compatible, the next step is positioning the subwoofer appropriately within your room.
As a general rule, the subwoofer performs best when placed on the floor, since this allows its down-firing drivers direct coupling for maximum bass response.
Avoid placing the subwoofer inside of a cabinet, enclosure, or small constrained space, as this can limit bass output and in some cases even distort the sound or damage the equipment due to overheating or vibration.
Most experts recommend positioning your wireless subwoofer towards the front of the room, close to a wall with an electrical outlet available nearby.
It should be within range of the soundbar for wireless reception, but not directly next to it.
Allow at least three to four feet of separation between the soundbar itself and the sub to prevent distortion and allow clarity.
The sub can often go either to the left or right side of your entertainment center or TV stand.
Connect Subwoofer Power Cable
Once your subwoofer is properly positioned, the next step is to connect power.
Vizio subwoofers are wireless but still require AC power from a nearby electrical outlet.
Use the included AC power cord, connect firmly to the input socket on the rear panel of the subwoofer.
Then plug the other end into a 110v power outlet.
Vizio subs do not have a master power switch, so the unit will turn on automatically as soon as the power cable is connected and deliver power is flowing from the outlet.
Look for a small LED status indicator on the back panel to light up once the power cord is inserted on both ends.
The light may initially flash but should become solid once the subwoofer has gone through its internal initiation routine and is ready for wireless pairing with soundbar.
If the status light does not come on, check that the outlet is live and that both ends of power cable are firmly seated.
Pair Soundbar and Subwoofer
With the subwoofer powered on and in position, the next stage is pairing it wirelessly with your soundbar.
On the rear of the subwoofer there should be a button labeled “Pair” or connection button.
Press and hold this for five seconds, until the small status light begins rapidly flashing.
This means the subwoofer is now in discoverable mode, searching for a compatible wireless soundbar with which to pair.
Then on the actual Vizio soundbar, use the remote or onboard controls to change the input audio source to the setting labeled “Dolby Audio”.
This ensures that the soundbar is prepared to transmit the full range of audio frequencies to the subwoofer.
Then initiate the pairing process from the soundbar side by pressing the Bluetooth or wireless pairing button or input (often labeled with this standard wireless icon).
The soundbar and subwoofer should now detect each other, initiate data transfer and wireless encoding protocols, and connect securely.
This pairing process may take up to 60 seconds or longer in some cases.
Do not disrupt or disconnect power during this process.
Once fully paired, the blinking light on the rear of the subwoofer should become solid.
Some soundbar models also indicate when pairing is successful through onscreen notifications or audio prompts.
Of course, if both devices stay stuck endlessly searching or the subwoofer light does not stop blinking, the pairing process has failed.
Retry or consult troubleshooting steps before proceeding.
Adjust Audio Settings
With the physical setup, power, and wireless pairing complete, the final major step is accessing the soundbar’s settings to enable and adjust use of the newly connected subwoofer.
Most models have dedicated menu options to configure a paired subwoofer component.
Access these audio menus through the soundbar remote control using onscreen digital menus.
There are typically multiple configurable options related to the subwoofer output:
Enable Subwoofer:
Turn this master setting to “On” so the soundbar recognizes the connected sub and routes deep bass frequencies to it.
With the setting disabled, the subwoofer may be paired but remain inactive and silent.
Crossover Frequency:
This adjusts the specific frequency threshold for transition between the built-in soundbar speakers and the sub handling the deep bass elements.
Typical range is 50-150Hz.
Start around 80-100Hz for average use.
Subwoofer Level:
Lets you specifically increase or decrease the perceived loudness of low-end content directed to the subwoofer without impacting other frequencies.
Useful for boosting bass response in environments when needed without overdriving soundbar speaker components.
Wide mode settings:
Room and system-specific audio profiles that optimize bass response for challenging listening spaces.
Expands subwoofer impact for concentrated sweet spot listening positions.
Adjust other audio parameters like system-wide bass, EQ presets, and overall volume levels from the soundbar as well.
Consider rerunning automated sound calibration routines for room correction to account for the added subwoofer component.
Again, access varies by model but typically uses remote onscreen setup wizards or audio test signals with guidance prompts.
Test and Position
The final phase when integrating a new wireless subwoofer into your home audio system setup is testing, positioning and minor adjustment.
Begin by playing familiar bass-heavy tracks from movies, music, or games with which you have experience.
Make quick A/B comparisons listening with subwoofer disabled vs enabled using the soundbar control menus.
There should be an immediately noticeable increase in low frequency response filling out the entire range of audible sound.
While testing, make further tweaks to the specific audio configurations mentioned above like crossover frequency, sub levels, EQ presets, etc.
Make small incremental parameter changes and note the audible difference with familiar program material.
There is no universally perfect configuration – some experimentation to match room acoustics and personal listening preferences is normal and expected.
You can also use this initial testing period to determine if any minor changes to physical subwoofer placement may be beneficial.
Move a few feet in either direction, adjust angle, move closer to or further from nearby walls, etc.
As with audio settings, listen critically to short sections as your reposition and note the change in overall bass quality, effects like flutter echo, boominess, phasing in and out, etc.
Stop repositioning once bass response sounds balanced, loud, and free of excessive room-induced anomalies.
At this point just outside of setup mode your Vizio soundbar and subwoofer system should be fully operational, filling your listening space with smooth powerful bass depth in addition to the excellent clarity for which Vizio audio products are known.
However, do keep in mind that many subwoofer models continue active calibration and room analysis even after initial testing is complete.
So you may notice subtle changes to bass response over the first few days of ownership as the system continues automatically optimizing low frequency output specifically for your room’s unique acoustic profile.
Conclusion
In conclusion, connecting your Vizio soundbar to a compatible subwoofer is a straightforward process that can add deeper, richer bass to your home audio system.
Following the step-by-step process outlined above to position, power, pair, and configure the subwoofer while making minor room-based adjustments will result in great audio performance.
Enjoy your expanded sonic range!
