Subwoofer cables are usually built like standard RCA cables, but some are made from RG6 coaxial cable instead. The RG6 construction, with its thick shielding and solid core, is well suited to carrying a low-frequency signal over a long distance without picking up hum.
RG6 Subwoofer Cable: Coaxial Construction for the Sub Run
Quick Answer / Summary: An RG6 subwoofer cable is a 75-ohm coaxial cable with RCA connectors that carries the subwoofer signal; its heavy shielding and solid center conductor make it effective for long, hum-resistant subwoofer runs.
What RG6 Coaxial Cable Is
RG6 is a 75-ohm coaxial cable built around a solid copper or copper-clad-steel center conductor, a foam dielectric, and layers of shielding, usually a foil plus a braid, all inside a durable jacket.
The 75-ohm coax
It is the same cable type used for cable TV and satellite, which is why it is inexpensive, widely available, and manufactured to a consistent 75-ohm impedance.
When terminated with RCA connectors, RG6 makes a capable subwoofer cable because the heavy shielding rejects interference and the solid core carries the low-frequency signal cleanly over distance.
Why RG6 Works for Subwoofers
A subwoofer carries only the low frequencies, typically below 200 Hz, and those long wavelengths are not sensitive to the capacitance that would dull high frequencies. That means a coaxial cable built for high-frequency video still works fine for a subwoofer signal.
Heavy shielding
The thick foil-and-braid shielding of RG6 is better at blocking hum than the thin shield on a typical budget RCA cable, which makes RG6 a good choice for long or electrically noisy subwoofer runs.
The 75-ohm impedance of RG6 is a non-issue for subwoofer use, since audio line-level connections are not impedance-matched the way video signals are.
RG6 vs Standard Subwoofer Cable
A standard subwoofer cable is flexible, easy to route, and works well for short and medium runs. An RG6 subwoofer cable is stiffer but offers heavier shielding, so it is often preferred for long in-wall runs or for runs past noisy power wiring.
For a typical home theater run of ten to twenty feet, either works. For a long run to a distant subwoofer or a sub in a media room full of equipment, RG6’s shielding gives a real advantage.
The trade-off is flexibility: RG6 is harder to bend around tight corners, so plan the routing and leave a little extra length at the ends.
Choosing and Connecting an RG6 Sub Cable
Buy an RG6 cable already terminated with RCA connectors for the cleanest result, or use quality crimp-on RCA plugs if you are making your own. Poor terminations are the weak point of any coaxial cable.
Run the RG6 subwoofer cable from the receiver’s sub or LFE output to the subwoofer’s line or LFE input, and keep the run direct, avoiding tight kinks that could damage the foam dielectric.
Because RG6 is stiffer, secure the cable so the weight does not pull on the RCA connectors, and give the subwoofer end a little slack.
RG6 vs Standard Subwoofer Cable
| Feature | RG6 coaxial | Standard sub cable |
|---|---|---|
| Shielding | Foil plus braid, heavy | Lighter braid or foil |
| Flexibility | Stiff | Flexible |
| Long runs | Excellent | Good |
| Best for | Long or noisy runs | Short to medium runs |
Real-World Application Scenarios
A home theater owner runs a long RG6 subwoofer cable through the wall to a subwoofer at the back of the room; a user replaces a humming budget RCA cable with RG6 and hears the noise floor drop; an installer terminates bulk RG6 with RCA connectors for a custom-length sub run.
Recommended Internal Resources
See subwoofer cable for the standard option, coax for subwoofer for the coaxial approach, and RCA subwoofer cable for the RCA connection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use RG6 cable for a subwoofer?
Yes, RG6 coaxial cable with RCA connectors works well as a subwoofer cable, especially for long or noisy runs.
Is RG6 better than a regular subwoofer cable?
RG6 has heavier shielding, which helps on long runs, but a standard subwoofer cable is more flexible and fine for short runs.
Does the 75-ohm impedance matter for a subwoofer?
No, the 75-ohm impedance of RG6 is irrelevant for audio line-level subwoofer signals, which are not impedance-matched.
How do I connect an RG6 subwoofer cable?
Run it from the receiver’s sub or LFE output to the subwoofer’s line input, using RG6 cable terminated with RCA connectors.