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A subwoofer is very important for the complete home cinema experience or to enhance the quality of a soundbar. However, for some people, a subwoofer is a strange piece of equipment that they do not fully understand. This guide is going to help to understand what a subwoofer is and what its main functions are.
We hope that by reading this guide, your questions will be answered so that you can confidently choose your next subwoofer. We plan to educate you on all the aspects of a subwoofer so that you can easily choose the best option out there. They are not overly complex devices, but it is useful to know some basic aspects when it comes to subwoofers in order to make a successful purchase.
Contents
Key Facts
- Assess what your main needs are prior to purchasing a subwoofer. There are active and passive subwoofers, which both have different benefits and uses. If you require a subwoofer with its own amplifier, an active subwoofer is the model for you.
- There is a wide variety of subwoofers on the market. Some models offer just the right amount of features to be quality devices that are not overly expensive.
- Ideally, you should choose a device with a power level between 100 and 200 watts (W), as long the technology is efficient. Also keep in mind the range of bass frequencies that the subwoofer is capable of covering.
Our Selection of the Best Subwoofers
To help you choose a good subwoofer to complement your existing sound system, car stereo or soundbar, we have created a list of what we consider to be the best options on the market. We have selected these products based on their value for money, their features and customer feedback. We highly recommend that you take a close look at this list as we are very confident that your next subwoofer is on this list.
Shopping Guide: Everything You Should Know About Subwoofers
If you're looking to improve the sound at home, whether it is for your TV, home theatre or soundbar, buying a subwoofer is a fantastic idea. A subwoofer will improve the performance of your audio and cinema setup by enhancing the bass and the overall sound experience. To make the best possible selection, it is important that understand a few basics about these devices. In the following section, we will tell you everything you need to know about subwoofers, as well as answer the most frequently asked questions among consumers.
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What is a subwoofer and what is it used for?
There are many factors that you should take into account when purchasing a subwoofer. You should consider the quality of the materials, the subwoofer technology, the power, the frequency range, and whether the subwoofer is active or passive. We will explain each of these aspects throughout the guide so that you can purchase the best possible subwoofer for your home or business.
Finally, it is also important to know the size of the room in which you install the subwoofer. This is often a determining factor for the size and power of the subwoofer.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of buying a subwoofer?
What types of subwoofers are there?
There are several ways to connect an active subwoofer to a soundbar, TV or home theatre system. One of the most recent innovations is wireless subwoofers. That is, a subwoofer that uses WiFi or Bluetooth to connect to the sound source rather than via cable. These types of subs are very easy to set up and can easily be moved from one location to another.
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Passive subwoofers do not have their own amplification system and must be used in conjunction with an external amplifier. These subwoofers are not connected directly to the sound source, but rather via an amplifier using AV (Audio / Video) cables. In the past, passive subwoofers were common, but since the expansion of soundbars and stand-alone LCD televisions, the need for an amplifier makes passive subwoofer more expensive and an inferior product.
How else can subwoofers be classified?
Below, we have prepared a table to explain the key advantages and disadvantages of the two main types of subwoofer designs.
| Subwoofer box design | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Bass Reflex | It is the most common subwoofer design used.
It has an external air outlet. As it is the most common, the choice is more extensive. This design requires less power to produce good bass. It provides high-quality bass at low frequencies. |
The internal woofer is prone to breaking.
The quality reduces at high volume. |
| Sealed box | No opening and completely sealed.
The sound tends to be more even and does not distort at normal volume. |
The sound quality depends on the quality of the seal.
The main focus is on sound quality and bass levels are not as strong. Trapped air inside the box can create distortion at high volume. |
Where should a subwoofer be placed?
When sound is emitted at low frequencies, it is crucial that you take into account the support that the sub is placed on. If the support below the subwoofer is flimsy or poorly secured, it is highly likely that it will create a rattling sound, which will be very annoying. When it comes to the location in the room for your subwoofer, you can carry out various tests to find the best possible spot. Some people claim that by placing the subwoofer in the corner of a room you get more bass. This all depends on the amount of vibration created, the size of the room and other irregularities.
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As a suggestion, try to align the subwoofer as close as possible to the main speakers. If it is possible, place the sub in the middle between the two speakers. Once you've found a spot that you think will work well, try playing with the subwoofer's controls and settings until you find the sound you like best.
Buyer's Guide
To find and buy a subwoofer that best suits your needs, there are a number of shopping criteria that can be followed to guarantee that you make a successful purchase. We have listed the five most important criteria below:
Budget
One aspect that you should be very clear about and an aspect that is easy to define is how much you are willing to pay for a subwoofer. The price of subwoofers varies significantly, but as a result, there is a huge range of options with varying quality. It is important that you take into account the quality/price ratio in order to purchase a product that meets your expectations and that you are happy paying for.
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Use
Your intended use of a subwoofer is key to making a successful choice. You won't need to buy the same size subwoofer for a small bedroom as you would for a large classroom or lecture hall. You must remember that the square footage of a room is an important factor.
If you are looking for a subwoofer to enhance and provide bass to an existing sound system, you could probably opt for a cheaper option with good performance. However, if you want to turn your living room into a home theatre with a sound quality that rivals a cinema, you will have to look at higher quality subwoofers that are usually more expensive.
Type
The decision you have to make is between active or passive. The choice should really not be that difficult. Active subwoofers have a number of advantages that are leaving passive subwoofer behind. From a convenience and feature perspective, active subwoofers are far better. What's more, these are also the most common and most recommended by sound experts. We've given you all the facts in the guide, now it's time for you to decide.
Power
Taking into account all the factors that we have discussed above, the power of a subwoofer is an aspect that you cannot forget. A subwoofer that offers between 150 and 200 W would be sufficient for a room that is approximately 215 square feet. With this as a guide, you will be able to choose a subwoofer that has the right amount of power for the size of the room.
The power of a subwoofer is complemented by the technology and the quality of the materials used in the construction of the product. Often it is not necessary to buy the most powerful subwoofer if you can find one that is well-made and produces sound in an efficient way.
Frequency Range
When it comes to the subwoofer frequency range, we are talking about the range of low frequencies that the sub can support. Subwoofers are designed to cover the first two musical octaves, that is, ranges between 20 and 80 Hz. This is a sound range that normal speakers do not reach. Ensure that the subwoofer you buy can support frequencies within this range.
Summary
Remember that it is important to take into account the dimensions of the chosen room so that you can improve your sound experience. The subwoofer market is diverse and it is highly likely that you will find a quality product, with sufficient power and good low-frequency range, without blowing your budget.
Consider whether an active or passive subwoofer is better for your situation. We always recommend an active subwoofer, but it depends entirely on your specific circumstances. As with any technology purchase, read the list of materials used to build the product carefully and check that the product comes with a warranty. If you follow all this, you'll be on the right path to turning your living room into a home theatre with excellent sound and bass.
We hope that you enjoyed reading our guide on subwoofers. Please feel free to comment below and share this guide on your social networks.
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