Subwoofer speaker buying guide

Introduction:

A subwoofer is an important part of any home audio system, but it can be tricky to choose the right one. Not all subs are created equal, and there are a lot of factors to consider before you make your purchase. In this article, we’ll walk you through the process of choosing a subwoofer, from understanding your needs to finding the right model for your budget. When you’re finished, you’ll be able to shop with confidence and get the best sound for your money.

Sound Quality

When it comes to audio, there are three characteristics that everyone wants: good bass, good midrange, and good treble. Unfortunately, getting all three is usually impossible without spending a fortune. Or is it? If you’re looking to improve your bass, adding a subwoofer is your best bet. While the investment may seem daunting at first, don’t forget that subwoofers are specifically designed to give the low-end a major boost. And this isn’t just speculation: subwoofers are regularly used in recording studios and movie theaters for this exact purpose. In other words, if it’s good enough for the pros, it’s good enough for your home theater.

Subwoofer Size

The size of your subwoofer’s driver is a key factor in its overall performance. The larger the driver, the more energy it will be able to put out, and that means a bigger cabinet as well. But how big is big? Generally speaking, the bigger the driver, the better the bass response will be. That said, you don’t want to go too big – if your subwoofer is too large for your room, it will struggle to produce good sound quality. So what’s the sweet spot? A driver that’s around 10-12 inches in diameter should be good for most people.

Power and Volume

Almost every subwoofer you’ll see is an active subwoofer, which means it has its own internal amplifier, rather than relying on an external amp. The amplifier is the beating heart of your subwoofer and the most important thing it does is power the speaker driver. That power is measured in watts and understanding it is the key to choosing a good sub. A higher wattage rating means the subwoofer can generate more volume and bass. So, if you want your music or movies to really shake your house, you need a subwoofer with plenty of wattage.

Wireless vs. Wired Subwoofers

Bass notes obviously have a low frequency, which means that a subwoofer that is capable of reaching the lowest possible frequency is, by definition, a great subwoofer. However, you also want to consider the frequency range. Frequency is measured in Hertz (Hz), and for subwoofers, being able to understand frequency is quite important. Make sure to check the specs before you buy so you know what you're getting. When setting up your subwoofer, take note of the highest frequency it can put out. This way, you'll be sure that it will work with your other speakers and not produce any jarring sounds.

Frequency Range

Frequency is measured in Hertz (Hz), and for subwoofers, being able to understand frequency is quite important. Bass notes obviously have a low frequency, which means that a subwoofer that is capable of reaching the lowest possible frequency is, by definition, a great subwoofer. When setting up your subwoofer, take note of the highest frequency it can put out. This number is important because it'll help you determine where to place the subwoofer in your home theater or stereo system. You'll want to make sure that the highest frequency the subwoofer can produce is higher than the frequency of the lowest bass note in the song or movie you're watching.

Front-Firing vs. Down-Firing Subwoofers

The difference between sealed and ported subwoofers is the most important thing to consider when buying a subwoofer. Sealed subwoofers tend to have tight, even, controlled sound quality, whereas ported subwoofers can push out huge volumes. If you’re just buying a subwoofer for a small hi-fi or home theater setup, then you don’t need to worry about buying one with ports – they’ll just make the subwoofer louder and less accurate. However, if you’re using your subwoofer for a larger home theater setup or for parties, then you’ll want to go for a model with ports so that it can handle the extra bass.

EQ and Room Calibration

If you’re looking to buy a subwoofer, one of the first things you need to decide is whether you want a sealed or ported model. The difference between the two types lies in sound quality. Sealed subwoofers tend to have tight, even, controlled sound quality, whereas ported subwoofers can push out huge volumes. If you’re just buying a subwoofer for a small hi-fi or home theater setup, then you don’t need to worry about buying one with ports – sealed models will do just fine. However, if you’re using your subwoofer for a more powerful setup, then you may want to consider a model with ports to take advantage of its extra power.

Ported vs. Sealed Subwoofers

The difference between sealed and ported subwoofers is sound quality. Sealed subwoofers tend to have tight, even, controlled sound quality, whereas ported subwoofers can push out huge volumes. If you’re just buying a subwoofer for a small hi-fi or home theater setup, then you don’t need to worry about buying one with ports.

Hi-Fi vs. Home Theater

Subwoofers are fantastically versatile, and can be used for both music, movies, and gaming setups. The difference here is that, when you’re buying a subwoofer for a hi-fi system, you rarely need to buy more than one. This is not just because one subwoofer will be sufficient for music – it absolutely will - but it’s because most stereo amps don’t have the ability to transmit sound to more than one subwoofer. In a home theater surround sound setup, on the other hand, you would want to buy multiple subwoofers in order to create that all-encompassing effect.

Conclusion:

A subwoofer is an essential part of any home theater or audio setup, and with so many different models and features available, it can be tough to know which one is right for you. This subwoofer buying guide will walk you through everything you need to know before making your purchase, from sound quality to power and volume. We'll also cover the difference between wireless and wired subwoofers, and help you choose the right one for your needs.