A Simple Guide to Positioning One Subwoofer
Article summary
- Subwoofer placement significantly impacts sound quality—experiment with different locations!
- Try the "Subwoofer Crawl" technique for best bass response in your listening area.
- Live with your subwoofer in a single spot for a week to truly appreciate the sound differences.
- Calibration software like Arc Genesis and Dirac Live can help mitigate room modes for optimal performance.
- Enhance your audio-visual setup with the 1723 Subwoofer 1S for deep, controlled bass.
Subwoofer advice often starts with the phrase “subwoofer placement is critical”, and in our experience, this is absolutely true. So how do you figure out the best location? See below:
Experiment
Our subwoofers sound better than most, and this is before factoring in the value to cost ratio. But if you want to take your low-frequency experience a few notches higher, you will need to experiment. Play a bass-heavy track or scene that you are familiar with and place your subwoofer in the various locations that are available. That can take a while because the differences will be immediate in some locations and almost the same in others. It is perfectly ok to live the subwoofer in a single location for a week or so and doing the same in another location, to really understand which sounds best to you.
Crawl
If you are in a dedicated space or can place your subwoofer in several different locations, you should try The Subwoofer Crawl. Basically, place your subwoofer in the main listening position. Then get your ears at the same height as the subwoofer on the floor and crawl around until the bass sounds the best to your ear.
This is a great quick and dirty way to find the best location for a single subwoofer in your room, relative to the main listening position.
Calibrate
After finding optimal placement, there will still be room modes in your listening space. Calibration software can go a long way in reducing room modes. Arc Genesis and Dirac Live are particularly good.
Frequently asked questions
What is the importance of subwoofer placement?
Subwoofer placement is critical for achieving the best sound quality. Proper positioning can significantly enhance your low-frequency experience.
How can I find the best location for my subwoofer?
Experiment by placing your subwoofer in various spots and listen to familiar bass-heavy tracks. Take your time to find which location sounds best for you.
What is “The Subwoofer Crawl” technique?
The Subwoofer Crawl involves placing your subwoofer in the main listening position and crawling around the room to find where the bass sounds best from that height.
How long should I test my subwoofer in one location?
It’s advisable to leave your subwoofer in one location for about a week to fully understand the sound differences before moving it again.
Can calibration software help improve my subwoofer's performance?
Yes, calibration software like Arc Genesis and Dirac Live can help reduce room modes and improve the overall sound by optimizing your subwoofer's settings.
What should I do if the sound is similar in different locations?
If the sound is similar, you can leave your subwoofer in one spot longer and listen for subtle differences, as the impact of placement can vary from one room to another.
Is it okay to use a single subwoofer in a large room?
Yes, a single subwoofer can still provide great low-frequency response in a large room, but optimal placement and calibration are key for best performance.
How do I know if my subwoofer is properly calibrated?
Your subwoofer is properly calibrated if you achieve a balanced sound with reduced bass peaks and dips, particularly after using calibration software.
Can I use my subwoofer in multi-room setups?
Absolutely! However, each room may require unique placement and calibration to achieve the best low-frequency performance in different spaces.
