Tips to Getting a Great Subwoofers: For homes and apartments, a subwoofer does a great job of filling out the sound of smaller or low-quality speakers.
That’s why it is regarded as a companion to your audio system rather than the main attraction.
However, getting a subwoofer shouldn’t be about increasing your audio system’s bass alone.
As a matter of fact, acquiring the right subwoofer will not only enhance your bass but also improve your sound system’s overall sound dramatically.
Awesome for video, gaming, and music production, the subwoofer is an electronic device that helps increase your audio range hence, giving you a truly immersive experience.
Are you looking to get a subwoofer for your home theater system? Then you’re about to experience movie nights in a whole new immersive way.
But if you’re still trying to decide if a subwoofer would be perfect for your sound needs, then continue reading this article.
What Are Subwoofers?
Since you’re probably already familiar with what a sound system or home audio entertainment like home theaters entail, the subwoofer is a loudspeaker that manages lower frequencies, popularly referred to as bass.
It is one of the most important components that can be used to create low-frequency effects (LFE) which is usually called the .1 in a 7.1 system. How low or high the subwoofer can go will be determined by the product’s brand.
The subwoofer is a crucial component of an audio system because most speakers are not powerful enough to reproduce the entire frequencies they receive from your audio source.
This is especially important if you want to feel the immersive experience of a movie or you want to recreate the atmosphere of a concert in your living room.
Types of Subwoofers
There are various types of subwoofers available on the market. However, if you need something simple, then consider purchasing an audio system that comes with its own subwoofer.
This can be in the form of home theaters or soundbars like the ones here. (https://royalelectronicsgroup.com/vision-sound/)
But if you’re more daring and prefer to set up your audio system using different components and you’re looking for the perfect subwoofer to fit your audio setup, then check out the different types of subwoofers below.
Front-Firing, Side-Firing, and Down-Firing Subwoofers
A subwoofer that is front-firing has its sound being emitted from the front of its frame. The side-firing subwoofer’s sound comes from the side of the frame while that of the down-firing subwoofer emanates from the bottom usually underneath the speaker.
Any of these methods can produce the same sound output. The reason is that due to the variant of frequencies being produced by subwoofers, the average human ear will find it difficult to tell what direction the sound is coming from.
Typically, front-firing subwoofers are positioned in the front of the room. Side-firing subwoofers can go to both sides of the room while down-firing subwoofers deliver the best result when placed in a corner or along a sidewall.
Powered Subwoofers
The most common types of subwoofers you can find are the self-powered variety. These types of subwoofers come with a built-in amplifier.
Typically, powered subwoofers have gain (volume) and other control features independent of the audio source’s receiver. Basically, this subwoofer type needs a connection to the receiver’s Sub output as well as its own separate power outlet.
Passive Subwoofers
For the passive subwoofer, an external amplifier, similar to the speakers in your sound system is required to power it.
If you’re going to install a passive subwoofer in a home theater or sound system, the ideal thing to do would be to place one external subwoofer amplifier between the passive subwoofer and the sound system receiver’s subwoofer preamp output.
By employing this configuration, your home theater receiver will not be required to supply the subwoofer’s amplifier power.
Choosing the Right Subwoofer
With the myriad of options available, it can be quite a headache when it comes down to choosing the best subwoofer for your audio system.
However, sit back and relax while we give you a few essentials to look out for in your quest to acquire the perfect subwoofer.
Power
One thing you need to note is that when it comes down to buying a subwoofer, power (wattage) does not necessarily equate to louder sound output.
Indeed, the watt rating is an overall estimate of how loud a subwoofer can go; it really doesn’t mean the appliance will be that loud.
As a matter of fact, certain high-powered subwoofers deliver better outputs at ‘standard’ volumes compared to lowered-powered ones.
So, try not to use wattage as a yardstick for buying the best subwoofer unless that’s all that matters to you in the electronic appliance.
Location
Location matters a great deal when it comes to subwoofers, especially with the way you hear its sound.
That’s why it is very important to consider it before buying one. Basically, placing your subwoofer against a wall or corner helps enhance its sound.
You can find the perfect spot for your sub by having someone move it around while you sit in your favorite listening area.
As an alternative, you can position the subwoofer in your preferred listening position at ear level.
Afterward, you can crawl around the wall until you get the most desired sound. By doing this, you’ll further ensure that the subwoofer performs at its absolute best while blasting your favorite tunes away.
Driver Size
Another essential aspect to consider in buying a subwoofer is its driver size. The driver is the component of the sub responsible for making sounds.
In essence, a subwoofer’s enclosure size is determined by its driver size. For example. A standard-sized 12-inch driver will be housed within a fairly decent-sized enclosure. An 8-inch driver, on the other hand, could have a smaller enclosure.
As we reiterated earlier, the driver is responsible for determining the sound quality. Thus, if the driver size, as well as the cabinet, shrinks, its power has to increase significantly to compensate.
For instance, if it has more power, then the 8-inch subwoofer within its small enclosure should sound similar to a 12-inch sub in a larger enclosure.
Enclosures
In terms of enclosures, these components of the subwoofer are categorized into two; the sealed and the ported enclosures.
The sealed enclosures (often referred to as acoustic suspense) deliver sound exactly the way their names are. Basically, they do not let air in or out. This enclosure model is perfect for those who listen to classical or jazz music.
Ported enclosures, on the other hand, have a built-in air vent within ported boxes (also called bass reflex enclosures). This helps to reinforce low bass output.
This type of enclosure can deliver more bass with much less effort. This makes it ideal for people who prefer listening to hip-hop, EDM, or more bass-driven music.
However, note that if you want your subwoofer to be situated in a definite spot or you require it to fill up a space, ported subwoofers come larger in size than their sealed counterparts.
Conclusion
You can tell you’ve just gotten the best device when you hear its sound. It’s more than the standard thump-thump you hear every day.
When positioned correctly, a great subwoofer delivers realistic deep sounds. If that’s not what you’re hearing, you should probably start thinking of getting a replacement.
