If you are a music enthusiast, it is very important to choose a subwoofer for your family’s sound system. Let Casual Living USA look into How To Choose The Best Subwoofer For Your Sound System in detail. Read more!
1. What is a Subwoofer?
A subwoofer is a speaker that produces subwoofer noises, which contribute to the larger and stronger “boom” sound in music and movies. A subwoofer enhances the dramatic, thrilling impact of action sequences or adds intensity to music. As a result, if the sound system lacks a subwoofer, half of the song’s or movie’s magnificence is missing.
The subwoofer’s bass, on the other hand, varies from the primary speaker system’s bass (column/floor or bookshelf speakers) in that it is designed to create more of the lowest bass of the frequency spectrum at a sluggish speed, rather than the detailed, rapid, clear bass found in traditional bass speakers.
The Subwoofer’s Role in a Sound System
Subwoofers are essentially speaker lines that support a low frequency (20-200Hz) sound system (bass) to help provide you with deeper, deeper bass while also giving the highest sound quality, being more powerful, and making the speaker appear warmer and clearer. The subwoofer broadens each track’s bottom range, blowing the music into each song and making it more vibrant and alive than ever.
When listening to music with bass and treble, the presence of a subwoofer allows listeners to feel all of the excitement and excitement. As a result, if the sound system lacks a subwoofer, half of the beauty of the song, the melody, is lost.
2. How To Choose The Best Subwoofer For Your Sound System
Size of Subwoofer
When purchasing a subwoofer, the first aspect to consider is its size in relation to the room, and the general rule is that the larger the room, the larger the subwoofer required. Yet, not every little area requires a large subwoofer, even if a 500W sub may sound the same as a 100W sub (because all electric subwoofers have volume knobs). ), yet a 500W speaker will unquestionably produce more bass when turned down than a 150W speaker when turned up.
As a result, if you plan on entertaining in a wide space in the future, acquire the largest subwoofer you can afford. A 200W subwoofer is required to be worthwhile in a large venue or to match the column speakers.
Power and Volume
The vast majority of subwoofers on the market today are active subwoofers (electric subs). Instead of being powered from the outside, the power sub has an integrated amplifier (amplifier).
The amplifier is the subwoofer’s heart, and its primary job is to power the driver. Watts are units of measurement for power (W).
Subwoofer specs typically include two categories of power: r.m.s. and peak (RMS and Peak). Peak power is a feature that many people ignore because they rarely use their speakers to their full potential.
You should instead be concerned with effective capacity. RMS is an abbreviation for Root Mean Square, and it shows the maximum power at which the device will function correctly and reliably. RMS indicates how consistent a subwoofer’s output is when held at a reasonable volume level for extended periods.
At high levels, the more the power, the crisper, cleaner, and distortion-free the bass. Of course, a strong subwoofer will cost you extra. A good low-cost subwoofer typically has a power range of 150W to 500W.
Sound Quality
Everyone’s first question is whether a subwoofer improves bass quality. It is, indeed, the solution. The bass will become deeper and more powerful. The subwoofer is designed to enhance low-frequency sound and is appropriate for both music and movies.
Sound quality is crucial, but it is not the most critical consideration. Consider things like size, frequency range, and output power instead. These factors have a direct effect on bass quality.
Frequency Range
The frequencies of all sounds range from low to high. Hertz is the frequency unit (Hz). The bass is entirely in the low-frequency range. A subwoofer that can reproduce the lowest frequencies that humans can hear (20Hz) is without a doubt good.
Subwoofers today may produce noise at frequencies as low as 25Hz. There are even more expensive systems that can attain 16Hz, such as the Power Sound Audio S3611.
If you’re not a fan of bass, 50Hz will suffice. Start with subwoofers that can reproduce frequencies up to 25Hz.
The higher the price, the lower the frequency of bass generated by subwoofers. While shopping for a subwoofer, pay particular attention to the frequency range.
Front-Firing vs. Down-Firing Subwoofers
The Down-Firing Subwoofer’s main driver is targeted towards the ground. The Front-Firing Subwoofer’s primary driver is pointed forward.
There is minimal difference between these two types of speakers, and your choice is influenced by where the speakers are located. For placement near the primary speaker, the Front-Firing Subwoofer is the finest option.
If you want to boost the bass in your home audio system, go for a passive diaphragm subwoofer. This type of speaker will cost you a little more money, but it is well worth it.
Ported vs. Sealed Subwoofer
When it comes to subwoofers, the more expensive they are, the more holes they have. This is a ported subwoofer with at least one direct-out hole, as the name indicates.
Sealed subwoofers, on the other hand, are completely sealed. Enclosed subwoofers are more frequent than vented subwoofers in general.
The sound quality is what sets these two speakers apart. The closed-back subwoofer is intended to provide powerful, even, and controlled bass. Moreover, the subwoofer has vents to increase the bass even further.
If you are buying a subwoofer for your home cinema system, you do not need a ported subwoofer. In contrast, if the sound system is in a big space, a subwoofer with vents should be considered.
Home theatre vs. HiFi
Listening to music, watching movies, and even playing video games are all enhanced experiences when using subwoofers. This is because subwoofers can be utilized in high-fidelity audio systems, and it is uncommon to require purchasing more than one. This is because while a single subwoofer can and will play music, the vast majority of stereo amplifiers are unable to deliver sound to multiple subwoofers at the same time.
The world of home theatre is an entirely fresh start. When putting together a surround-sound system, many A/V receivers can simultaneously send sound to two subwoofers. They may not only increase the power, but they also may provide an experience that is enjoyable for bass lovers. This is the sensation you get when the bass envelops you from all sides and hits you smack in the middle of your stomach. Even though purchasing two subwoofers can be expensive, if you are willing to experiment and have a limited budget, you might be able to achieve excellent results.
Prices of Subwoofers
The other factor that we need to consider before buying a subwoofer. Here are some general cost ranges of woofers:
- Cheap subwoofers: They are typically entry-level subwoofers priced around $100. Smaller models may have lower power output, smaller diameters, and fewer features than more expensive models, but they may still provide acceptable bass performance in smaller rooms or basic setups.
- Mid-range subwoofers: These subwoofers typically cost between $100 and $500. They may have a higher power output, a larger size, and more features than budget models, and they may produce powerful bass performance in medium-sized rooms and under more difficult listening situations.
- High-end subwoofers are designed for audiophiles and home theatre enthusiasts who want the best sound quality and performance. These may cost up to $500. They may have a high power output, a large size, novel enclosure designs, and features such as wireless networking and room correction.
3. Some of the most outstanding subwoofer brands available now
Brand
In terms of quality and performance, these are some of the greatest subwoofer brands:
- SVS is a well-known manufacturer of subwoofers. They are well-known for creating high-quality products with excellent bass performance. SVS offers a variety of subwoofers, including sealed and ported models, to suit a wide range of preferences and listening environments.
- JL Audio is another great subwoofer maker known for its quality and performance. They provide a wide range of subwoofers, including sealed and ported models, and are well-known for creating deep, accurate bass. JL Audio subwoofers are well-known for their high-quality construction and long-lasting performance.
- KEF is a well-known brand that manufactures a wide range of audio products, including subwoofers. They are well-known for their exceptional workmanship and innovative design. KEF offers sealed and ported subwoofers, with a focus on accurate and powerful bass.
- Bowers & Wilkins is a high-quality speaker and subwoofer manufacturer based in the United Kingdom. Their subwoofers are well-known for delivering accurate and melodious bass reproduction. Bowers & Wilkins offers both sealed and ported subwoofers, with a focus on accuracy and detail.
- Yamaha is a well-known brand that produces a wide range of audio products, including subwoofers. Their subwoofers are known for their exceptional quality and performance, with a focus on delivering powerful and accurate bass. Yamaha offers both sealed and ported subwoofers to suit a wide range of preferences and listening settings.
Some of the most outstanding subwoofers are available now
There are many great subwoofers on the market, but here is a couple that stands out:
- SVS SB-2000 Pro Subwoofer is known for producing powerful and precise bass. It has a 12-inch speaker, a 550-watt RMS amplifier, and strong DSP tuning. It is suitable for both music and home theatre applications.
- KEF LS50 Wireless II Subwoofer is one component of a wireless bookshelf speaker system that includes two main speakers and a subwoofer. It contains a 6.5-inch driver, a 100-watt RMS amplifier, and KEF’s Uni-Q driver technology. It is suitable for both music and home theatre applications.
- JL Audio Dominion D110 Subwoofer is equipped with a 10-inch driver, a 750-watt RMS amplifier, and JL Audio’s patented Vibration-Canceling Design. It is well-known for producing precise and dramatic bass and is suitable for both music and home theatre applications.
- Bowers & Wilkins DB4S Subwoofer is equipped with two 10-inch Aerofoil speakers, a 1000-watt RMS amplifier, and cutting-edge digital signal processing. It is known for delivering deep and powerful bass and is best suited for large rooms and home theatre applications.
- Paradigm Defiance X12 Subwoofer has a 650-watt RMS amplifier and Paradigm’s own X-PAL aluminium cone technology. It is well-known for its accurate and detailed bass output and is suitable for both music and home cinema applications.
Overall, these subwoofers have received high praise for their exceptional performance and build quality. But, the best subwoofer for you will be determined by your listening habits, room size, and budget.
FAQs
The size of the subwoofer is decided by the size of the room and the output of the amplifier. A 10-12 inch subwoofer is usually sufficient for a small to medium-sized space, but a 15-inch subwoofer may be needed for a larger area. Consider the amplifier’s power as well, because the subwoofer should be able to handle the power of the amplifier.
The type of enclosure you choose is decided by your preferences and the music you listen to. Ported enclosures generate richer, booming bass, whereas sealed enclosures provide precise, tight bass. Bandpass enclosures are another option for individuals who enjoy extremely loud and strong bass.
You can utilize a passive subwoofer if your amplifier has a dedicated subwoofer output. If your receiver or amplifier lacks a dedicated subwoofer output, a powered subwoofer with its amplifier is required.
The frequency response of a subwoofer is the range of frequencies it can reproduce, which is generally measured in Hertz (Hz). A subwoofer with a wider frequency response may be able to support a broader range of music and provide more accurate bass. Choose a subwoofer with a frequency response that matches the music you listen to.
A down-firing subwoofer’s driver faces the floor, whereas a front-firing subwoofer’s driver faces forward. A front-firing subwoofer delivers more accurate and powerful bass than a down-firing subwoofer. It is entirely up to the individual to select a kind.
Before making a purchase, you should be aware of certain facts about How To Choose The Best Subwoofer For Your Sound System. Casual Living USA hopes you find the information presented above beneficial.