Subwoofers are speakers designed to produce only the lowest frequencies in a range of audio frequencies. As such, it can fill one’s room with those deep bass sounds that smaller coaxial speakers cannot produce. A subwoofer can often be used as a standalone speaker for a computer or a home theatre system without rear speakers.
When you determine what type of receiver you own and how many channels your receiver has, make sure that you choose a matching subwoofer as well. For example, some 3-channel receivers require separate 2-way satellite speakers and a powered subwoofer with a built-in amplifier.
What Does Subwoofer Do
A subwoofer can be considered a smaller version of the main speaker. It is typically more prominent and has two essential components: the speaker (the actual transducer, which converts electricity into sound) and an amplifier (a power amplifier). Some people think that adding a separate subwoofer helps them save money, which isn’t true because buying only the speaker will also work fine without buying all those extra wires and connectors – not to mention that it’s much cheaper this way.
One might use their existing speakers for bass reproduction, but this is not recommended because most speakers do not emphasize low frequencies enough. Instead, speakers designed specifically for this purpose (subwoofers) ensure that low frequencies will be produced, and they can also help you get the most out of your system.
Sometimes, a subwoofer might also be used with speakers to improve their bass response; however, not all speakers need additional support. In such cases, one should check whether its sound output is even across the entire frequency band rather than just at one particular frequency band or “octave.”
Why Do You Need a Subwoofer?
- To complement your speaker’s weak bass response.
- To get the most out of your new speakers without spending too much money on full surround sound speakers, achieve realistic sounds with deep basses by supplementing its output with an additional subwoofer only.
- The quality of the main speakers is not good enough, and the best option is to substitute them with good subwoofers.
- For better quality control of your sound by having independent controls over bass response, perhaps you might want more bass in some situations but less in others (for example, listening to music or watching a movie).
- The speakers are placed too far apart, and you need an additional speaker to bridge that gap between them for better frequency distribution because the drivers are not pointed at where listeners are seated. This problem can be solved without even buying a subwoofer! More information about this is here.
- Cleaner generally sounds when it comes to boosting volume levels – especially if one’s receiver isn’t capable of handling loud volumes well in general
Configuration of a Subwoofer
Passive subwoofers can offer a simple and affordable solution if you’re in the market for speakers. Passive units use external amplifiers, which must have enough power to sustain bass effects through your speaker size – this will determine what kind of amp is required!
Active ones utilize their AC source, so they don’t need additional equipment. Still, there are limitations on how much volume or frequency range these devices cover because it relies heavily upon their ability to produce sound waves that travel outside themselves.
So, you’re looking to buy a new subwoofer but don’t know what “crossover” is? Subwoofers aren’t concerned with sound distribution and speakers; they only care about frequencies.
The circuit that decides which ones go where includes everything from 80Hz to 100HZ. Those below or around this range will get funneled into your woofers while higher notes stay intact for other system parts, like tweeters and capsules, and drivers in general use throughout an audio setup.
Different Types of Subwoofers
Ported Subwoofers
Ported Subwoofers are designed to produce strong bass frequencies. They are usually larger and have a low-frequency driver inside an enclosure with a vent or port that allows the sound waves to flow in and out of the cabinet. These drivers operate at low frequencies, allowing them to vibrate more, which produces deeper sounds. This type of subwoofer works best when placed against a wall or enclosure because this increases its efficiency by “amplifying” the sound waves produced by these speakers.
Active Subwoofers are powered, so they do not require any amplification device to work correctly. The power needed is supplied separately from the speaker without compromising performance. If budget is an issue, building a subwoofer box could be an option.
Sealed Cabinet
In a sealed cabinet, the bass only has one way. This can lead to less depth and complexity in sound as it travels through different parts of your home, but it will make up for this with greater clarity atonal highs, which means you’ll hear more detail than before.
Passive Radiator
Passive radiator subwoofers are excellent for people who want big bass sounds in small speakers. These passive radiators work by replacing the port, allowing more room-filling sound than you would get from just one driver. Or even two voice coils wired together at different points within a single enclosure.
Front and Down Firing Types of Subwoofers
Front and down-firing refer to the placement of internal speakers within a subwoofer. Front-firing models will often have one speaker pointed forward while sound radiates out in all directions from it, as well as toward your feet if placed on something like shelves or stands which are elevated high enough for this effect (this would not be true with upward-facing drivers).
Sound can also radiate from below, with an extra bass output point around waist height – perfect if you want those low notes booming through your living room!
The downward-facing type design should work best when installing big bucks behind TVs because these types typically come equipped without cabinets blocking their path toward couch potatoes who sit 2.
Bandpass Subwoofers
Bandpass speakers have two chambers that are separated. Usually, only one part of the divide will have a port that releases radiation from the front cone to make it easier for bass frequencies within given ranges to come through cleanly with more natural sounding accuracy than other designs.
The design is commonly used in professional live sound equipment such as line array systems or subwoofers cabinets designed specifically for car audio. But that’s not all; It can also be seen utilized by professionals who want their system output perfect regardless of playing an arena-sized stadium gig.
Horn Loaded Subwoofer
Horn-loaded speakers are often used in large venues where sound needs to go further and aim more precisely. Given their sophisticated nature, they can be found in small, compact sizes despite the range of equipment required.
How Do You Choose a Car Subwoofer
Regarding car audio, the right subwoofer can make or break your system. These considerations include placement and size for the best effect in cars with strange shapes and cramped spaces inside an engine block on wheels!
One type worth considering is powered active units, which provide more control while driving because they have higher power capabilities compared to 8″ models – but you’ll need a big enough enclosure if using this option, so don’t try reducing their volume level drastically either (although there will be no distortion).
But despite what some might say about more prominent being better when selecting speakers.
Placement of Car Subwoofers
The debate on where to place your car audio speakers has been going back and forth since it was just movies, but there are some general rules of thumb when deciding. Under-seat models will allow you more control over the bass while also letting other sounds come through clearly without being muddled by lower frequency packs; this can be handy if someone in or near your vehicle wants to listen to it (in which case they’ll need somewhere soft).
On the other hand, putting them inside an open sedan trunk often leaves less room for cargo than desired (though not always), so finding something like Ibiquity’s PNP package helps solve both problems at once – giving everyone what they want out loud.
Subwoofer Sizes and Types
- 8-inch subwoofer
- 12-inch subwoofer
- Underseat subwoofer
- 15-inch subwoofer
- Shallow mount subwoofer
Combining it with Other Speakers
No matter what type of sound system you plan, our blog has articles to help get the job done. We also offer advice and insights into selecting components for your home theatre installation, like speakers and amplifiers, so stop by Virtuoso Central today.
FAQs
The place on the speaker offers low frequencies that a regular two-channel and surround setup can not reproduce independently. These low frequencies originated from instruments like bass guitar, kick drum, and pipe organ.
Yes, the subwoofer can only produce bass at lower tones. The exact frequency tones are different from model to model.
The horn-loaded subwoofer is used in large venues where sound needs to go further and aim more precisely. Given their sophisticated nature, they can be found in small, compact sizes despite the range of equipment required.
Conclusion
Subwoofers are speakers explicitly built to produce low frequencies, usually between 20-200 Hz. Depending on the design, they can be mounted differently, but one of the most popular is “downward-facing” because they emit sound downwards towards surfaces. Giving it an extra bass output point at waist height.
The bandpass subwoofer has two separate chambers with only one port for releasing radiation from the front cone. This makes more natural-sounding accuracy than other designs without this feature would produce. This type of woofer is commonly used in professional live sound equipment such as line array systems or subwoofers cabinets designed specifically for car audio – but not limited there!
You can also be utilized by professionals who want their system output perfect at all times, regardless if they’re playing an arena-sized stadium gig.
