Where Should You Not Put a Subwoofer: Tips to Improve Sound Quality
Subwoofers are an essential component of any good audio system, adding that extra bass and depth to your music or movie watching experience. However, where you place your subwoofer can have a significant impact on the sound quality that you get out of it. In this article, we’ll look at some of the places where you should avoid putting your subwoofer and provide some tips on how to improve the sound quality of your subwoofer.
Avoid Putting Your Subwoofer in a Corner
One of the most common mistakes that people make when setting up their subwoofer is putting it in a corner. While it may seem like a convenient place to put it, this can actually have a negative impact on the sound quality that you get from your subwoofer.
The reason for this is that when you put a subwoofer in a corner, you are essentially creating a bass trap. The sound waves produced by the subwoofer bounce off the walls and come back to the subwoofer, causing distortion and muddying up the sound. This can make your music or movies sound unclear and muddy, detracting from the overall experience.
Instead, try to place your subwoofer away from corners and walls. Ideally, you should position it in the center of the room, but if that’s not possible, try to find a location that is as far away from walls and corners as possible. This will help to reduce the amount of distortion and improve the overall sound quality of your subwoofer.
Don’t Put Your Subwoofer on the Floor
Another common mistake that people make when setting up their subwoofer is placing it directly on the floor. While this may seem like a logical place to put it, it can actually have a negative impact on the sound quality that you get from your subwoofer.
When you put a subwoofer on the floor, you are essentially creating a coupling effect. This means that the subwoofer is directly coupled to the floor, which can cause the sound waves to bounce back up into the subwoofer and create distortion. This can make your music or movies sound muddled and indistinct, detracting from the overall experience.
Instead, try to place your subwoofer on a sturdy stand or shelf. This will help to decouple the subwoofer from the floor, reducing the amount of distortion and improving the overall sound quality of your subwoofer. If you don’t have a stand or shelf available, you can try placing a dense foam pad or carpet underneath the subwoofer to help decouple it from the floor.
Avoid Putting Your Subwoofer Too Close to Walls
In addition to avoiding corners, you should also try to avoid placing your subwoofer too close to walls. When a subwoofer is placed too close to a wall, it can create a bass boost effect, which can make your music or movies sound overly boomy and unnatural.
To avoid this, try to place your subwoofer at least a foot or two away from walls. If you have a smaller room, this may not be possible, but try to keep as much distance between the subwoofer and the walls as possible. You can also try using acoustic panels or bass traps to help absorb some of the excess bass and improve the overall sound quality.
Use a Subwoofer with a Good Power Rating
Another important factor to consider when setting up your subwoofer is the power rating. A subwoofer with a good power rating will be able to produce deeper, more powerful bass and provide a more immersive listening experience.
When choosing a subwoofer, look for one with a power rating that matches the size of your room and the rest of your audio setup. A subwoofer with too low a power rating may struggle to produce the deep bass that you’re looking for, while a subwoofer with too high a power rating can be overpowering and cause distortion.
To determine the appropriate power rating for your subwoofer, you can use a simple formula. Multiply the length, width, and height of your room to get the cubic volume. Then, divide that number by 2. This will give you the recommended power rating for your subwoofer in watts.
For example, if your room measures 15 feet by 20 feet by 8 feet, the cubic volume is 2,400 cubic feet. Dividing that number by 2 gives you a recommended power rating of 1,200 watts for your subwoofer.
When shopping for a subwoofer, look for one with a power rating that matches or exceeds this recommendation. Keep in mind that a subwoofer with a higher power rating may not necessarily be better if it’s not matched to the size of your room and the rest of your audio setup.
Consider Room Acoustics
Finally, when setting up your subwoofer, it’s important to consider the acoustics of your room. The shape, size, and furnishings of your room can all have a significant impact on the sound quality that you get from your subwoofer.
