| Subwoofers. The bass. The loudness. The glory. The | | | | setup, but box design is difficult.OK, so now you know |
| most obnoxious component in your system, and also, | | | | everything about SUBZ, but here are the specs that |
| one of the most necessary.If you've read my article | | | | you'll need to know to choose your subwoofer:Power |
| about speakers, you're up to speed. If you haven't (and | | | | Handling: Subs are speakers, and as such can only |
| don't know anything about speakers or subwoofers), | | | | handle so much power (or distortion) before they blow! |
| read it here.Subwoofers reproduce the lowest | | | | Power handling is measured in watts, and is often |
| frequencies of the audio spectrum, AKA bass. They | | | | given in two specifications: RMS and Max (or peak). |
| are essential to both SQ and SPL systems, but for | | | | The RMS rating is the most important. If a sub says it |
| different reasons. Let's take a look now...For SQ | | | | can handle 200 watts RMS and 400 watts Max, be |
| systems: Effectively reproduce the lowest frequencies | | | | sure the amp will provide 200 watts RMS as well. Not |
| making the music sound full and powerful. Instruments | | | | 400 watts RMS. While it's true that the sub can handle |
| that play lower frequencies such as organs, drums and | | | | 400 watts, it can only handle that kind of power for a |
| synthesizers will sound more realistic and powerful | | | | short time. If you hook that sub up to an amp that puts |
| with a subwoofer installed.For SPL systems: Because | | | | out 400 watts RMS, you will ruin that speaker pretty |
| subwoofers are loud, they are the preferred speaker | | | | quickly--because it is constantly being exposed to 400 |
| to make a whole lotta noise.Also, because our ears | | | | watts, not short bursts of 400 watts. You dig? |
| are less sensitive to lower frequencies we need the | | | | Good.Sensitivity: This term means exactly what you |
| extra bass for the system to sound balanced.So, what | | | | think it means. In short, a subwoofer with higher |
| do I have to look for to find a great woofer? I'll tell | | | | sensitivty will be louder than a subwoofer with lower |
| you!Power Handling:Just like with every other part in a | | | | sensitivty when they are hooked up to the same amp. |
| stereo system, power handling is important for | | | | The spec is measured in db.Frequency response: You |
| subwoofers as well. Earlier, in my article about | | | | obviously want a subwoofer than can handle a wide |
| speakers, I talked about how you can send more | | | | range of frequencies. However, the subwoofer does |
| power to them to increase their volume, but decrease | | | | the most work under 100hz. If the subwoofer plays all |
| the distortion. The same is true of subwoofers, but be | | | | the way down to 20hz, you know you've got a great |
| careful! Since lower frequency distortion is harder to | | | | sub. The good news is that even if it doesn't go that |
| perceive, it's easy to overdo it, and blow your | | | | low, most music doesn't either. Sooooo, you'll still be |
| subwoofers. Anyway, with that said, it is smart to buy | | | | fine. I would say the it's more important to have a |
| an amp that can put out exactly what your | | | | low-playing sub in systems with DVD players and 5.1 |
| subwoofers are designed to take, but take it | | | | sound. Also, frequency response varies depending on |
| easy!Size:Subwoofers come in many sizes, but the | | | | the box that the subwoofer is installed in. Ummmm, so |
| most common are 8", 10", 12", and 15". This is probably | | | | with this in mind, just pick a subwoofer that will handle |
| also noted in metric for the european brands. As you | | | | the power, and sound how you want it to.Cone |
| can imagine, the bigger woofers are the ones that will | | | | Material: When it comes to subwoofers, this is actually |
| play louder and play lower. Of course, the smaller ones | | | | a pretty important thing to pay attention to. Because |
| are more musical, more precise, and sound "tighter". | | | | subwoofers are big and powerful, you need a cone |
| What size you decide on usually has to do with your | | | | material that can withstand lots and lots of abuse. I |
| own preferences, as well as installation considerations. | | | | personally am a big fan of metals such as alluminum. |
| Remember! 18" subwoofers don't just fit | | | | This is because aluminum is light and stiff, and likewise, |
| anywhere!Voice coil info:SVC: Single voice coilThis | | | | produces very tight and musical sounding bass. I know |
| means that the speaker has only one voice coil. In | | | | that many subwoofer manufacturers use exotic |
| other words, only one input.DVC: Dual voice coilThis | | | | sounding materials for their subwoofers, which makes |
| means that the speaker has two voice coils, or two | | | | it difficult to determine which material is the |
| inputs.Ummmmmmm, ok. Why does it matter?I could | | | | best.Surround material: Here's my advice: Always get |
| go into details here, but I know you don't really care. | | | | a subwoofer with a rubber surround. Rubber holds up |
| Basically, it boils down to this: With a DVC subwoofer, | | | | the best in the auto environment.Impedence: Measured |
| there are more installation options. Look at it this way, | | | | in Ohms, this spec tells you how much resistance the |
| a DVC "looks" like two subwoofers to your amplifier. | | | | speaker presents to your amp. Too much, and you get |
| With some nifty wiring tricks (called series and parallel), | | | | no volume, too little, and your subwoofer will fry your |
| you can hook up many subwoofers to a single | | | | amp! This spec will help you decide which amp to hook |
| amp--even if the amp is a "mono" or a two channel | | | | up to your subwoofer, whether you want to bridge |
| amp. In addition, you can manipulate how many ohms | | | | your amp, and whether you want to wire multiple subs |
| the amp has to push. If you have an amp that is stable | | | | into parallel or series. Also, subwoofers sometimes |
| to a half ohm (like some old school Orion HCCA | | | | have more than one voice coil (aka DVC). This means |
| amps), you could potentially hook up 4-8 woofers to a | | | | that the subwoofer will have two inputs, each with the |
| single channel! Imagine the noise you could make!Some | | | | same impedence. Subwoofers with dual voice coils |
| words about boxes:Boxes are essential to most | | | | are more versatile to install, especially in multiple |
| subwoofers. In other words, consider a subwoofer's | | | | woofer systems.A basic subwoofer install is fairly |
| box just as important as the subwoofer itself. Why? | | | | easy. If you buy a pre-fab sub box, mount the subs |
| Because most subwoofers need a box to operate | | | | and power them, you're going to get good bass. To |
| properly, sound good, and not damage themselves. | | | | install professionally, and achieve the best sound, much |
| Subwoofers that don't need a box are called "free air" | | | | planning and work must go into the whole process. |
| or "infinite baffle" subwoofers.Like I said, most | | | | This is a situation where if you don't feel confident in |
| subwoofers need a box. So, let's talk about boxes!First, | | | | your ability to build a box, tune it, and hook it up, you |
| what types of boxes are there?Sealed: The simplest | | | | should visit a car audio shop, and have them do it for |
| kind. Essentially, a sealed box is a box where the inside | | | | you. This can be relatively cheap, or quite expensive.If |
| and outside are not linked. There are no holes, and | | | | you are planning on doing the install yourself, but lack |
| care is taken to ensure that the box is completely | | | | the box building skills, you can buy a pre-fab box. I |
| sealed.Ported: A ported box is a subwoofer box with | | | | would also strongly recommend an EQ device to fine |
| at least one hole, or "port" in it. The goal of the ported | | | | tune the bass. This will help you overcome road noise |
| box is to emphasize a certain frequency. These boxes | | | | (which ruins bass), and also cut back on "boominess" |
| are used because they are often louder than sealed | | | | and "muddiness". In the end, this route is the best |
| boxes.Bandpass: A bandpass box is similar to a ported | | | | compromise between a custom box and a pre-fab |
| box because it has ports; however, the bandpass box | | | | box. You'll get great sound, and save money!Now go |
| tries to de-emphasize certain frequencies, while | | | | easy on those ears!-Honest AEBAlan Bayer is an |
| emphasizing others. In other words, it works like a | | | | entrepreneur and car audio enthusiast. He runs an |
| bandpass crossover. The bandpass box emphasizes | | | | eBay store selling car stereo install supplies: also has a |
| a frequency band while de-emphasizing frequencies | | | | GREAT website with car audio articles (such as the |
| lower than and higher than the band.Isobarik: These | | | | one from above). Also on the website, learn about car |
| boxes aim to fit more than one subwoofer into a small | | | | audio equipment, how to find the best equipment, how |
| box. The subwoofers are set up to work in tandem. | | | | to install it, and save big bucks in the process!Subscribe |
| Sometimes both subs move in the same direction at | | | | to Honest AEB's Car Audio Magazine (Free!) |
| the same time, sometimes one sub pulls while the | | | | AEB'S Car Audio deals! |
| other pushes. There are advantages to this type of | | | | |