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| Subwoofer |
Ports and Passive Radiators
Some subwoofer enclosures also use an additional port, which forces out more air, enlarging bass response in a more effectual way than sealed enclosures.
Another type of enclosure uses a Passive Radiator in addition to the speaker, instead of a port, to enlarge effectiveness and preciseness. Passive radiators can either be speakers with the voice coil removed, or a flat diaphragm.
Crossovers
The crossover is an electronic circuit that directs all frequencies below that point to the subwoofer; all frequencies above that point are created the main, center, and surround speakers. Normally, a good subwoofer has a "crossover" frequency of about 100hz.
Gone is the need for those large 3-Way speaker systems with 12" or 15" woofers. Many home theater systems have smaller satellite speakers, optimized for mid-and-high frequencies, which occupy much less space.
Deep Bass is Non-Directional
In addition, the deep-bass frequencies created by the subwoofers are non-directional. It is very hard for our ears to actually emphasize the direction in which the sound is coming. That is why we can only feel that an earthquake seems to be all around us, rather than coming from a particular direction.
Subwoofer Placement
Subwoofer can be put anywhere in the room due to non-directional sound that is created by the subwoofer. Nevertheless, optimum results depend on room size, floor type, furnishings, and wall structure. Normally, the front of the room, just to the left or right of the main speakers, or in a front corner of the room are the best placement for a subwoofer.
The Bottom LIne
Despite all of the technical specifications and design factors of subwoofers, the type of subwoofer you select for your system depends on the characteristics of the room and your own requirements. If you are going to buy a subwoofer, take a favorite DVD and/or CD that has a lot of bass information and listen to how the bass sounds through a number of subwoofers.
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