Overview
All WVC units ship with antennas appropriate for their model tier, providing up to 500 feet of line-of-sight wireless range. For builds with heavy sound deadening, metal enclosures, or other RF-obstructing materials, upgraded antenna options are available to extend range and improve reliability.
Included Antennas by Model
| Model | Included Antenna | Approximate Gain |
|---|---|---|
| WVC-LITE (2-ch or 6-ch) | Small antenna | ~2–3 dBi |
| WVC-PRO (2-ch or 6-ch) | Larger, longer antenna | ~5 dBi |
Upgrade Options
Two upgraded antenna options are available for all WVC models:
Standard Upgrade Antenna (~6 dBi)
A larger fixed antenna that provides meaningfully more gain than the included WVC-LITE antenna. Suitable for most builds with moderate sound deadening.
External Antenna (~8–9 dBi) — Recommended for Challenging Builds
The external antenna includes a long cable, allowing you to route the antenna to an optimal location rather than mounting it directly on the base unit. This is the recommended solution for:
Builds with heavy sound deadening (e.g., multiple layers of Dynamat)
Metal enclosures or trunk builds that act as partial Faraday cages
Car shows where maximum omnidirectional range is needed Placement options:
Inside the cabin — Route the cable and position the antenna near the driver's headrest or another unobstructed location for significantly improved range over trunk-mounted antennas.
On the roof (show use) — The external antenna includes a magnetic base. During shows, place it on the roof of the vehicle for clear line-of-sight omnidirectional coverage in all directions.
NoteA Bluetooth antenna upgrade is also available separately if you need extended range for the AuralSync app connection.
Ordering Antenna Upgrades
Antenna upgrades can be selected in two ways:
- At purchase — When ordering a WVC-LITE, WVC, or WVC-PRO on the website, you will see options to upgrade the main antenna (to the standard 6 dBi or the external 9 dBi unit) and optionally upgrade the Bluetooth antenna as well. This is the simplest approach.
- Separately — Individual antennas (small, standard, and external) are available in the Add-ons and Replacements section of the LF Audio website if you need to upgrade an existing unit or replace a part.
Real-World Range Testing Results
Testing was conducted with a vehicle using multiple layers of sound deadening (Dynamat) on the trunk. The base unit was mounted inside the trunk. Results represent approximate maximum range before signal loss:
| Antenna Configuration | Approximate Range Gained vs. WVC-LITE Baseline |
|---|---|
| WVC-LITE small antenna (~2–3 dBi) | Baseline |
| WVC-PRO antenna (~5 dBi) | Modest improvement (~a few feet in obstructed environment) |
| External antenna (~8–9 dBi), inside trunk (no repositioning) | ~50 ft additional vs. baseline |
| External antenna (~8–9 dBi), routed inside cabin | ~100 ft additional vs. baseline |
| External antenna (~8–9 dBi), magnetic base on roof of vehicle | Near-doubled range vs. baseline |
Results will vary based on vehicle construction, sound deadening, and surrounding environment. The primary limiting factor in obstructed builds is the metal and sound deadening between the antenna and the knob — antenna placement matters as much as antenna gain.
Competitive Range Comparison
In a third-party line-of-sight range test conducted outdoors, the WVC-LITE prototype was compared against two competing wireless bass knob products — the Amplab unit and the Base Head Garage unit — all powered from the same supply to eliminate power-level variables:
| Unit | Line-of-Sight Range |
|---|---|
| Amplab wireless bass knob | |
| Base Head Garage wireless bass knob | |
| LF Audio WVC-LITE (prototype) |
This test used the WVC-LITE prototype, which is the most affordable and lowest-antenna-tier unit in the WVC lineup. The standard WVC and WVC-PRO feature larger antennas and are expected to achieve even greater range.
Antenna Port Assignments
WVC-LITE
Both antenna ports on the rear of the unit are functionally equivalent. Connect one antenna to each port.
WVC-PRO
- Left (outer) port — Primary knob communication antenna. Use the larger antenna here for maximum range.
- Right (inner) port — Bluetooth antenna for AuralSync app connectivity. Use the small antenna here.
Avoiding EMI from Antenna Placement
The antenna transmits at the maximum power level permitted by FCC regulations to achieve the best possible range. If RCA cables are routed near or wrapped around the antenna, the cables can act as unintended antennas and pick up the transmitted signal — introducing audible digital noise into your signal path.
Best practices:
- Route RCA cables to the front of the base unit; antennas are on the rear — this separation is intentional by design.
- Never wrap or run RCA cables along the antenna.
- If your install space is tight, plan your cable routing before mounting the unit.
- If you hear a repetitive Morse-code-like noise in your system, check whether RCA cables are running near the antennas.