2020 Honda CR-V with Active Noise Cancellation and Subwoofer

June 09th, 2025

A customer with a Honda CR-V equipped with an Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) system came to us after installing a subwoofer in their vehicle. The ANC system perceives the deep bass from the subwoofer as unwanted engine or road noise. So, it tries to cancel it out by sending out opposite sound waves, which end up fighting against the sub. When the ANC doesn’t hear bass, it stops trying to cancel it, but once it hears it again, it kicks back in. This back-and-forth creates an annoying cycle where the bass keeps cutting in and out. To resolve this issue for our customer, our team accessed the ANC system directly and safely disconnected the wire responsible, ensuring the subwoofer could perform at its full potential.

Why You Should Disconnect The ANC System If You Have a Subwoofer

If you’ve added a subwoofer to your car, disconnecting the Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) system is a smart move. The ANC is designed to block out engine and road noise by sending out sound waves that cancel them out. However, when you add a subwoofer, the ANC can become confused and mistakenly identify the bass from your sub as unwanted noise. As a result, it starts working against your subwoofer by cancelling out the bass that you actually want to hear.

This can lead to frustrating sound issues like bass cutting in and out or sounding weak and inconsistent. By turning off or disconnecting the ANC system, you allow your subwoofer to deliver clean, full bass without interference. If you’ve invested in better sound, disconnecting ANC ensures you get the most out of it!

Why Choose Us

At Car Systems Installation, we understand the unique challenges Honda owners face when upgrading their sound systems, especially when factory noise management systems like Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) interfere with aftermarket audio components like subwoofers. That’s why we offer professional solutions tailored to your vehicle, such as safely disconnecting the ANC to prevent unwanted audio interference. With over 20 years of experience, our expert team ensures clean, effective installations that improve sound quality without compromising other features. Every service is backed by a warranty, giving you confidence and peace of mind on the road.

Our technicians are certified to install any upgrades on your Honda vehicle.

To schedule your appointment, please call (416) 901-5812

We're located at 874 Magnetic Dr, North York, ON M3J 2C4. To view our location, click here.   

Please, enter a valid value