Expert Audio Series - Subwoofers… Is 1 Enough?

In any audio or video system, dynamic range is the most important attribute of the system. In video we are constantly chasing darker black levels, and similarly, in audio we are constantly chasing deeper bass. In an audio system, the subwoofer provides most if not all of the bass information in the content you are watching. Now the question is: Will 1 subwoofer provide enough bass to make your client smile? Join Jason and audio guru Anthony Grimani as they discuss all things BASS.

[@audfrknaveen2256]

These sessions are almost like reading text books !!!! Thanks a ton to you guys !!!!

[@welderfixer]

Although you two are making your living off those that can afford systems that are at the $10k up range; those of us in the sub $1k range are very grateful for the info you're presenting. It sure would be great if you could give us poor folk some help with our beer budget systems in our living rooms, like gear recommendations. It's so hard to choose the right equipment, especially speakers. Thanks so much.

[@Oneness100]

Unfortunately room acoustics don't care how much budget one has or how much it costs. You can get a decent system for $2000 or less, but just don't play it very loudly . Also, the smaller the room, turn down the volume level. Your room can handle only so much pressure in the low end. Turn it up to where it sounds good in the bottom end, and then don't go past that point, it would sound better. Play your system at 65dB and slowly turn up the volume until it doesn't sound as good and that's your room's optimal sound pressure level. the smaller the room, the lower you can set your playback SPL.

[@josephfranzen5626]

Proud owner of an 06 STi with a fully built EJ25. Glad to see Anthony likes them!

[@Quetzalcoatl0]

44:30, The movie, Black Hawk Down has a 6 hz note at the Irene scene. Insane, there is a video of a guy who has 16 x 18 inch subwoofers that flex a door, and the door moves like 5cm one way in and out :D. Also Hulk from 2008 has frequencies under 14hz. On that subject, i really want Antony to talk about this. I think subwoofers don't need to play under 17-18hz, but if we want the tactile response for lower frequencies, it a lot cheaper to just attach a subwoofer to the seating position. There is a thread on AVS forums where people build hover boards with subs inside them. The couches and cinema seats are on top of this platform and the whole thing is place on top of some bike tires. I can give a link to the thread if any of you are interested.

[@cbonner1964]

I would love some information on home theatre with an open concept and how to obtain the best sound with an open wall.

[@94dodgedude]

Anthony gets into that in a room acoustics podcast on Audioholics. Hope you can find it and it helps

[@Azzy_Mazzy]

His anecdote about rich people having six senses is one of the funniest shit I heard all week.

[@jaimegallegos4085]

Buenas noches cambie mis frontales de 60 a 45 grados y me encantó el cabio suena muy gracias por sus consejos

[@raynerstuelgalid]

What is the name/model of the subwoofer mentioned here, please?

[@indrajitshelke4643]

Request if any one can help me with some advice : I have a Bose soundbar 700 . I have a Klipsch subwoofer SW350( self powered). I want to connect soundbar to the sub. I am trying to connect through wire. I am using 3.5mm RCA for soundbar our and RCA in for sub as provided. ..no luck. The sub seems getting sound as I can feel lightly on skin but can say that it's not working. Used the same RCA cable my phone's audio jack., I am getting a solid thump. Why I am not getting this from Bose soundbar. ? Need help here. I did use Bose app. The app is not helping to add the sub. Nothing is detected.

[@billhayes5047]

Quick question ..4 subs quarter points is mentioned. Would this work if you can't do quarter points into the room but could do quarter points on front and back wall?

[@davidmoeller17]

So in a normal room say 14x20 or something bigger but no larger that to hold six seats is 4 x 10" subs in the corners enough? SVS PB-1000's that are 10" with 300 watts RMS?

[@magnusdanielsson2749]

SVS PB-1000 has a 12 inch driver. However it would seem the box can put out 110 dB at 20 Hz. Two boxes would be 113 and four boxes would be 116 dB. Assuming you aim for the 115 dB that Anthony talks about, that is sufficient. That would hit what THX calls reference spl. 85 dB for the main speakers with 20 dB headroom with an extra 10 dB for the LFE. So thats 105 dB for the mains speakers and 115 dB for LFE at the listening seat.

[@welderfixer]

Another issue/question - front driver vs downward driver & ported vs passive radiator vs sealed? Thanks again.

[@NathanOakley1980]

Doesn’t really make any difference (unless you obstruct the port) The energy is coming out of the sub in all directions.

[@Quetzalcoatl0]

I have a question but i don't think it will be answered. When you tune subwoofers, do you time delay them first and then use the EQ function of REW and add the EQ to all 4 of those, or do you EQ each one individual?

[@Azzy_Mazzy]

You time align them using delay then EQ them together.

[@curt248]

Do the subs need to be the exact same it could they be random?

[@pulDag]

In all cases you should have DSP for all subs you have. Mixing subs could cause phase issues on the different resonance frequency of ported subs (port frequency tune).