| Since it is tough for small-sized | | | | With regards to the use of subwoofers in home |
| loudspeakers to reproduce frequencies under | | | | theater systems, they come mounted in a |
| 40 Hz, and really tough for under 100 dB, | | | | sealed enclosure. Some people like to focus |
| people often choose to use a loudspeaker just | | | | attention of their systems around satellite |
| for this purpose. Hence the subwoofer, a kind | | | | speakers, hiding their subwoofer; hence it |
| of loudspeaker that reproduces bass | | | | may be packaged within the system. Others |
| frequencies ranging most generally from | | | | build the subwoofer into the theater cabinet. |
| roughly 20 Hz to around 200 Hz. DO you need | | | | |
| one? Depends upon how well you want to hear | | | | Why the separation? To keep them out of site, |
| deep bass, if your music or audio is | | | | for one thing. Plus for sensitivity issues |
| reproduced under 40 Hz. | | | | dealing with the areas' sound compatibility |
| | | | and mode. Some people prefer to place the |
| Subwoofer drivers, known as woofers, average | | | | subwoofer near the listener. |
| between 8" and 15", and can run 34" even. And | | | | |
| drivers begin at 4" those under 8" generally | | | | Bottom line is, if you want to be able to |
| don't reproduce lower frequencies with good | | | | hear low frequencies, you need a subwoofer. |
| quality and usually have higher distortion. | | | | If you don't care, don't' worry about it |
| | | | then. |
| Use high-powered amps with subwoofers and an | | | | |
| electronic crossover with a low-pass filter. | | | | When will this come into play? Lower |
| There are two types of subwoofers; those with | | | | frequencies are needed with older sound |
| an amp in the subwoofer cabinet (active), and | | | | formats, like with vinyl records replaced |
| those without the amplifier (passive). | | | | with digital formats, like CDs, mainly with |
| Typically active subwoofers will be clearer | | | | 5.1 formats Dolby Digital and DTS (where the |
| and stronger. | | | | ".1" channel is for the bass frequencies, for |
| | | | the subwoofer), common choice of mixed |
| Home Theater | | | | artists. |
| | | | |