The subwoofer is the one speaker that sometimes gets overlooked. However, a good subwoofer can transform your movie and music-listening experience, delivering deep, powerful bass that will make your floors shake (in a good way). However, with so many options out there, it can be tough to know where to start. Here are some key things to keep in mind when you’re shopping for a subwoofer.
Room Size
To start, you want to find a sub that’s ideal for your room size. If you put an undersized subwoofer in a large room, the results will underwhelming. If you have a smaller room, you can probably get away with a smaller more compact sub.
The size of the subwoofer has a lot to do with the driver. The driver is the heart of the subwoofer. The larger it is, the more bass it can produce. Most home theater subs have either an 8″, 10″, or 12″ driver and some even have a 15″ driver (wow!) Of course, bigger drivers also take up more space, so you’ll need to find a balance that works for your room. If you have an exceptionally large room, you may even want to consider loading your room with more than one subwoofer. Bigger isn’t always better either. Sometimes big drivers are less controlled and precise which sometimes results in a lack of detail. Especially if you listen to a lot of music.
Frequency Response
Next, look at the frequency response of the subwoofer. This number tells you the range of frequencies the sub can accurately reproduce. Ideally, you want a sub with a frequency response of 20Hz to 200Hz, as this will give you copious amounts of bass. Some subwoofers can go as low as 14Hz, but once you go that low you feel the bass more than you hear it, but that’s part of the fun.
Check out our list of top subwoofers
Power is another important factor to consider. Power is measured in watts, and the more watts you’ve got, the louder and clearer your sub will sound. When you’re shopping, look for a sub that has enough power to match your other home theater speakers.
Should You go Wired or Wireless
The next consideration is whether you want a wired or wireless subwoofer. Wired subwoofers connect directly to your home theater system, while wireless subwoofers connect over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. If you want reliability, go wired. If you want convenience, go wireless. Wireless subs have become more reliable over the years, but interference can still happen. For a wired sub, you want to make sure you pair it with a good AV receiver. The AV receiver can make or break a subwoofer, so keep this in mind. One of our favorite amps is the Marantz SR5015 which has plenty of power for most home theaters.
Research, Research & More Research
Finally, do your research on brands and models before you buy. Klipsch, SVS, Polk and Yamaha are a few well-trusted brands in the realm of home theater. Read customer reviews, compare specs, and listen to sound samples if you can. The internet is a goldmine of information, so use it. With so many options out there, it’s important to make an informed decision, especially when you’re investing in a piece of equipment that will make such a big difference in your entertainment experience.
At the end of the day, the most important thing is the sound quality. Make sure the sub you’re interested in produces clean, powerful bass that will make your home theater system sing. You also want to make sure that it produces bass without distortion. With these tips in mind, you’re sure to find a subwoofer that will take your entertainment to the next level.
