subwoofers additionally amplify the bass of a sound system. There are active and passive subwoofer , 2016, the active design is most often in use. Of the subwoofer is connected to the mains and receives a music signal for playback. With an active subwoofer can a sound system be upgraded. Using a crossover is set, which proportion of lower frequencies of the subwoofer which, in turn, allows adaptation to listening habits and specific acoustic features of a room.

subwoofer in use

Who owns a rather average home stereo system and once with the projectorWatching movies on big screen comes with one subwoofer definitely happy. For domestic use, offers under 200 euros can be enough. However, if you want to upgrade even a high-quality equipment even further, should grab something deeper in the bag. For movies with a lot of action and corresponding noises or background music, a subwoofer really makes the difference, because the deep, voluminous basses are the foundation of every sound. Upgrading a stereo systemcan start with a single active subwoofer, which will later be integrated into a surround setup. The low frequencies from 25 to about 50 hertz normal boxes do not or only unsatisfactory. But there are the „tactile“ frequencies (the sound pressure is physically noticeable), which are just so important for the good sound.

How does a subwoofer work?

subwoofers are speakeroptimized for the reproduction of the lowest frequencies. This also includes a certain volume, because it must be moved for the bass a certain amount of air. Also, the membranes must reach a certain size (from 16 cm in diameter) and allow a large stroke (movement space of the membrane). Only in this way can bass frequencies be reproduced strongly enough. Electronically, subwoofers are equipped with crossovers, which ensure that exactly the desired bass frequencies are reproduced.

Advantages and disadvantages of subwoofers

Of course, subwoofers have mainly advantages, especially since they are already very inexpensive to buy in the domestic area. With a bet of 100 or 150 euros is definitely in the living room an aha experience, if it is an average stereo system. But there are also small disadvantages. The advantages would be:

– much more intense listening experience with music and movies
– easy to install (especially the active version)
– low in purchase
– may be the first component of a surround system
– can often be connected to other boxes and systems

Disadvantages may be:

– Perfect adjustment requires a lot of time
– may disturb the neighbors
– additional power consumers

subwoofer types

There are active and passive subwoofers. Active subwoofers are perfectly suited for uncomplicated retrofitting. It is only necessary to connect one cable from the signal source (hi-fi system, receiver) to the subwoofer, which receives power via its own power cable and has its own power amplifier, so that the performance of the hi-fi system is insignificant. The passive subwoofer, which is rarely used today, has to have its signal from a suitable passive subwoofer amplifierwith the right power and impedance. Passive subwoofers are ideal for very specific configurations, such as home theater or gaming.

Purchase criteria for subwoofers

What should prospective buyers look for when buying a subwoofer? Well, first of all the decision has to be made between active and passive subwoofers, whereby the passive design makes sense only if it is explicitly recommended by the experts, for example, for upgrading a home cinema system. Otherwise, all buyers can quietly buy an active subwoofer. This should have the right performance – matching the system. As a rule of thumb, the overall performance of a hi-fi system (ie 40 watts in two 20 watts of stereo) can double the performance of the subwoofer – in this case, up to 80 watts of subwoofer power would be appropriate. It can also be 100 watts, without the ratio seems unbalanced. The real power is always given in watts, details such as music or PMPO performance are not particularly helpful. There are several features in the adaptability: the phase switch adaptation to spatial characteristics, the variable crossover frequency defines the radiated bass frequencies, the low-frequency effects channel (LFE channel) directs only the bass-relevant components of the audio signal to the subwoofer, clipping is a protection circuit that automatically cuts harmful levels.