|
Usually packaged and priced individually, a powered subwoofer is a must-have component of any home audio system, whether you're talking about a 7.1 or 5.1 channel digital home theater surround sound system for watching movies on Blu-ray Disc or playing video games, or "just" a stereo system for cranking up your favorite music.
Alternatively referred to as an amplified or active subwoofer, or simply a sub, a powered subwoofer contains one, two, three, or even six large circular speaker cone drivers called woofers, usually ranging from 6 to 15 inches in diameter, mounted in an enclosure along with a dedicated power amplifier.
Because powered subwoofers have their own source of power (as opposed to passive, non-amplified subs that rob their power from the rest of your speaker system), they can add considerable low-frequency, deep bass performance to virtually any home theater speaker system or stereo speaker system.
When you see a digital surround sound / audio system listed as 7.1, 5.1, or 2.1, the number before the dot signifies how many surround sound speakers are placed throughout your home theater room, and the number .1 after the dot stands for the dedicated subwoofer channel, often referred to as LFE (Low Frequency Effects). |
Subwoofer placement A home subwoofer typically produces its best quality bass response when placed somewhere near a few feet from the corner of your room or near the front left and right speakers.
Some manufacturers offer 7.2 channel home theater A/V receivers featuring TWO subwoofer outputs, which allows you to easily set up a home theater audio system with dual powered subwoofers. Depending on your particular room's layout and assuming you properly connect and optimize the sound of your two subs, this can greatly enhance your audio system's low frequency bass response and sound dispersion.
You should definitely "experiment" a bit before deciding on permanent locations of subwoofers. It is also recommended that you try to avoid setting up a powered sub inside a perfectly square room. A powered in-wall subwoofer may also be a possible solution depending on your particular situation.
Unless you're going with a wireless powered subwoofer, don't forget to invest in a long enough and good quality subwoofer cable, and perhaps also a separate Monster subwoofer power center to plug your subwoofer's AC power into if it will be set up away from your home theater receiver and A/V source components. |
