Ideal Subwoofer Placement & Pressurization Part 2 - www.AcousticFields.com

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- - In this video we're going to talk about subwoofer placement and how to manage the pressure coming from our subwoofer(s). Watch the video to find out more!
#acoustics #audiophile #producers

[@shanestephenson8423]

A timely video Dennis. I've just been trying for the last week to integrate my Wilson watchdog 2 subwoofer into my room. In the end after elevating it moving it side to side backward and forth as best I could with what furniture I have in the room, I just decided to turn it off and abort the mission. I'm convinced I just can't make it sound any good in my particular room. And actually given I have Wilson Sasha loudspeakers I don't think I need it anyway. Think I'll be putting the sub on ice for the next listening room that will definitely be bigger than the one I have now. But it is worth mentioning the best I got it sounding was when I had it elevated about 2 feet off the ground.

[@noochta7131]

I’ve been trying for years to get my subwoofer to sound good and have had no luck. I’ve also turned it off now and my two channel music sounds so much better. Go figure. At least now I don’t feel like I was doing something wrong. Thanks for another great video.

[@AcousticFields]

Elevating a sub off a boundary surface will improve response.

[@0xgrm]

Thanks Dennis for the advices! I built a DIY platform consisting of 5x18mm MDF panels plus 4 washing machine absorption pads on top of each other. I have a BK Elec XXSL400 sub in a 25 sq meters room with a wood framed floor. Not only the bass is clearer due to a lot less floor vibrations, but I can also crank the volume high up (approx 90-93 dB at 1 meter) without my neighbors hearing a single thing or rattling from the sub. Next step is making the stand more eye appealing.

[@AcousticFields]

Isolate, elevate, and attenuate are the goals with low frequency producing devices.

[@manny_f]

Your videos are always very insightful, thanks

[@AcousticFields]

Glad you like them!

[@shotaro_music7625]

Amazing lecture again!! very helpful🙏🙏

[@AcousticFields]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lights80088]

I'm glad I only bought one high quality sub and never have wanted for more. Thank you Dennis

[@AcousticFields]

If you manage the low-frequency pressure within your room with proper treatment, you will have no need for more pressure.

[@c3lf287]

Thank you so much, for this information!!! This made, almost a radical change! This is great! Thank you!

[@AcousticFields]

Glad it was helpful!

[@davidtheswedishtechguy]

Thx a lot for you're videos, most of it gets over my head but I'm just a Swedish guy building a home theatre in the garage and trying to get it as good as I can😆 I get most of you're videos and I appreciate the time you waste on us KZbin watchers😆

[@AcousticFields]

Garages that have higher ceilings will work well for theaters. Make sure to match the energy requirements of the room to the chosen gear.

[@minerforjob32]

Such a helpful guide, thanks!

[@ralph7585]

You're the best Dennis and I always watch you're vids. Very good explain and nothing but the true to experience. I back up all of what your explain. Greetings from The Netherlands.

[@AcousticFields]

Thank you for your support and following.

[@robertbarcus1963]

Was wondering were part 2 was. Thanks for the second part. Will this be a series? If there is looking forward to it👍 I have 2 channel system. Subs are controlled by remote by there own preamp. Most times subs are off as IMO they interfere with the music playing. 70's rock music on the other hand need subs IMHO. Not a home theater guy either. Thanks for you information

[@hilde45]

Distributed bass array helped me more than anything else. Because once more movements and dial adjustments are exhausted, other forces made a huge improvement.

[@AcousticFields]

The largest improvement is always going to be with the proper type, amount, and positioning of treatment.

[@hilde45]

@@AcousticFields For me, the addition of two Rythmik subs, carefully adjusted and placed, closed the deal. Additional treatments were not helping. That was just throwing away money. That said, I should probably do a good system analysis and see how everything is interacting. When one looks over all their audio investments, making sure that everything is comparable is what I like to call an "equity plus" approach!

[@AcousticFields]

The reason your treatments were not working is that they lacked the proper rates and levels of absorption. If your treatment was boxes filled with building insulation, you were beat before you got started.

[@hilde45]

@@AcousticFields My treatments were fine. Real Traps and GIK and ATS. All work fine. But the extra subs brought them all home. I've got a great REW curve now and it was reasonable in cost.

[@AcousticFields]

Send us a copy of your curve.

[@level80888]

thank you Denis

[@-elijahriggs-]

So you believe Floyd Toole is incorrect in saying that 2 to 4 properly placed subs (mono) act as active bass traps helping room modes. Corner loading 4 subs seeming to be the preferred way?

[@AcousticFields]

This mthodology is not cost effective. What is the cost of 4 subs? What db SPL benefit do you receive for that cost. Compare that cost with treating all frequency issues, not just the low frequencies.

[@CesarGonzalez-kt7vp]

I've never heard a Stratavarious played live so there is no point in me trying to artificially duplicate that sound. My guess is that's not even possible, but frankly put I think the only way of knowing what "Good" really means is coming down to one of your listening rooms and use that as a reference.

[@AcousticFields]

It would be a good start in your journey to higher resolution.

[@iam-music]

Great vid. So whatabout infinite baffle sub, non resonant baffle, dead centre of room, in the ceiling? Ie as boundary plane?

[@AcousticFields]

The room only sees energy. It could care less about the source. Use the same locating procedure.

[@zackw4941]

I have not tried this myself, but do you believe in the technique of putting the subwoofer in the listening position and then moving around the room yourself to see where it sounds best?

[@AcousticFields]

Yes, our sub woofer platforms are designed with casters on them for easy positioning around your room.

[@overclock8741]

Put the subwoofer at the listening point, then use the measuring microphone to look for the location of the subwoofer, not with your ears.

[@riasure]

Hi, I know that you have to be careful re. placing too big a sub in a small space. However,can a small sub be problematic too? Would a 9.5 inch driver be preferable to say a 10” in compact space (6ft x12ft) both sub options are sealed units-if that helps! Thank you

[@AcousticFields]

A 1/2" sealed or not in a low-frequency driver size will not matter in this small room. There will be no way to achieve any room frequency balance in this small room no matter what the treatment amount or type.

[@riasure]

@@AcousticFields thanks for your response. I appreciate it.

[@theufo2781]

This is good but a real problem is that ceilings at 8 feet high are too low in addition to a lot of rooms being too small

[@djhmax09]

Yes, the theaters in LA suck! Never been to one I was satisfied with. Also great video! One question...when you say a LF device outputs 30, 40, 50 ft waves is that before it gets excited by the room or after?

[@AcousticFields]

Energy input into the room produces the distortion.

[@dhadmusic]

Guy with a chalkboard… must watch 😎

[@AcousticFields]

Much easier to light for video minimizing reflections. Minimizing reflections is necessary with both light and sound.

[@dhadmusic]

@@AcousticFields great vid! Thanks for the knowledge. Have a new 10x16 room mixing room. Biggest take away is to just keep trying different listening positions

[@riasure]

Hi There, would you recommend using room correction software & mic when setting up a sub in a small room? Or would you still advise setting it up by ear? Thanks

[@AcousticFields]

Use your own ears and eyes. Start with the sub in room center and listen for a few days to all your sources. Move the sub left and right of center. Listen for a few days. Keep moving, testing, and listening to multiple sources. You will find the correct spot.

[@riasure]

@@AcousticFields thanks so much for your reply, which I really appreciate. I wasn’t sure if room correction software was the best way to go, so thanks for confirming this.

[@talkenrain842]

Interesting but some comments conflict with other content developers. Mainly, number of subs and treatment. Maybe your goal is different than others. Are you dealing room uniformity or are you going for a sweet spot? Seems the latter but would like to hear your thoughts.

[@AcousticFields]

Low frequency pressure is all about balance within the room. Every spot within the room should exhibit the same pressure levels consistently.

[@talkenrain842]

@@AcousticFields maybe I’m misunderstanding the terminally. It seems your views surrounding low frequencies are quite a bit different than other creators. I’ll watch a few more of your videos.

[@shaolin95]

So do you actually have measurements showing the before and after differences??

[@AcousticFields]

You can perform the measurements yourself. There are numerous software programs that will provide accurate response below 100 hz. Keep your sub in the current position and raise it 12". Measure the response. Raise it 18" and measure the response. Raise 24" and measure. Report your findings to us in this format.

[@nishali3343]

If a sound wave does not fit the room, will the sound be crap or not heard? txs

[@AcousticFields]

It can be exaggerated, attenuated, or not heard at all.

[@sujandangol15534]

Hello sir i cannot hear below 40hz in my sitting position in my room i use 10 inch subwoofer

[@AcousticFields]

You must treat your room for low frequency issues. We can assist you with the process. www.acousticfields.com/free-room-analysis/

[@sloboat55]

Dig it.

[@AcousticFields]

Thank you for your following.

[@maxortolan9955]

I also always watch your videos and info Dennis, and I understand your distress when comparing with so many other channels that present "unprofessional" and different data from yours. Still I also look at PS Audio and REL subs channels, and I believe they are also professional like you. One info that contrast with what you report above and in other videos, is in a video of REL on 26th October reporting reasons why should not put subs on platforms. I know you are not interested in what other people report, so you might not reply me here, still perhaps could be an interesting thing to report in your "What you say" series and open up the discussion there for us to see.

[@AcousticFields]

I have seen that video. Watch it closely. REL claims that just a few inches in height can change the whole dynamic of the sub output. How can just an inch ot two change the character of a waveform that is 28' long?

[@maxortolan9955]

@@AcousticFields no idea Dennis, I am no expert, I have to trust what experts says. This is why I am confused. You are an expert on rooms acoustics, John is expert on subs, and you report two different things. In part I was wondering if what applies to normal subs, is different with REL's as they are particular. Thanks all the time for your replies, always useful

[@AcousticFields]

Our platforms elevate, isolate, and attenuate energy. The best location for lower frequency absorption is close to the source. We have found that most sub woofer manufacturers do not like elvating their products is mainlt due to liability issues.

[@maxortolan9955]

@@AcousticFields thanks for the explanation, all make sense

[@worldsyoursent.1635]

💪

[@6stringsandapick]

Forgive my ignorance (I just use 2 way speakers and no subs) But, would it make any sense to have a crossover set for 2 subwoofers say one runs 20-50Hz and then one from 50-100Hz?

[@ukspawn666]

you can but the more overlapping drivers you have in the system the more problems and harder to set up it will be. trying to time and phase align different size and type drivers in different places inb a room is quite difficult.

[@ukspawn666]

I use 2 subwoofers. 1 is a 8inch and 2 is a 12inch ( both sealed cabinet) and they are with a 2.5way floorstanding setup with 2x 5 1/2" drivers and a metal dome tweeter. i have blocked the ports on the speakers. I run DSP to time and phase align them all and it has taken me a long time to get a frequency response that looks and sounds any good. I will be replacing the 8" with an identical 12" eventually. The 8" at the moment isnt doing much work apart from filling in some gaps due to where the other sub placment and room nulls are etc.

[@jordantewari]

talk about a buzz kill. We get all excited getting our new sub only to find out it makes everything sound worse in our rooms. And when you email or call the company that sold you the subwoofer they feign ignorance, Then tell you to keep trying. Why are we all still here. Just to suffer.

[@AcousticFields]

My favorite is adding multiple subs which creates more energy issues.

[@jordantewari]

Amazing that Companies sell subwoofers knowing that they won’t perform well in most rooms And give poor advice on placement.

[@AcousticFields]

Its the quantity versus quality issue. Its almost insulting the claims they make. They should spane more time designing a cabinet that does not move. A sub has three main energy outputs that produce its total sound. There are the drivers themselves, the electronics, and the cabinet. All three combine to produce the final sound quality.

[@scott-richardson]

I'd like to see companies start selling subs in pairs minimum. With two subs, you can iron out several room modes in one fell swoop. With one sub you can only really fix one null.

[@kellystigger9318]

And IF you can find a 60' room to fit ONE in, tell me. Then I'll send the speakers to tune it right. Not going to happen.

[@AcousticFields]

Our new multi channel studio is 65' long. It can happen.

[@mpitogo1978]

I just put 7 subwoofers in my room.

[@AcousticFields]

This is an example of what not to do.

[@mpitogo1978]

@@AcousticFields 😂 have a look at Trinnov Wave Forming and let me know your thoughts.