| We all know what bass can do to a movie | | | | separate power supply. This means that the signal |
| soundtrack. It can create drama, danger, even a feeling | | | | received from the amplifier/receiver is enhanced by |
| of strength depending on the visuals that go along with | | | | the subwoofer itself, without taking any of the power |
| it. Bass is one of the most important elements of any | | | | from the other speakers. Once you have your home |
| audio format because it provides balance and contrast | | | | theater subwoofer and other speakers picked out, lay |
| to the overall score of a movie, television show, even | | | | them out to get the best sound from each. Bass |
| commercial. Quality bass in a sound system is | | | | sound is omni-directional, meaning that it goes out from |
| impressive while not being overpowering. In a 5.1 | | | | the speaker in all direction. To decide where to place |
| surround sound system, one of the most common for | | | | the subwoofer, put it in the same position that you will |
| home theater installations, the '.1' is the bass. The | | | | be sitting in, whether it is on the couch facing the |
| speaker for the bass sounds on a soundtrack is called | | | | television screen or in a home theater chair. Turn on a |
| a subwoofer. Lower frequency sound waves use a | | | | favorite film then move around your room and listen. |
| larger diaphragm to move the amount of air it takes to | | | | Find the spot that the bass sounds best and move |
| make these sounds. While smaller speakers can | | | | your subwoofer to that location. It can be set on the |
| produce these lower frequency waves, they typically | | | | ground, on a shelf or off of a wall depending on where |
| cannot produce the kind of quality that one would | | | | you feel the best low tone sound is heard. Since the |
| expect from a quality theater. Smaller speakers can | | | | sounds are going out and bouncing around the room in |
| often sound tinny when trying to produce these lower | | | | roughly the same direction, the sound should be great |
| sounds. Large home theatre speaker towers are | | | | when you get it into place. We've all heard the laments |
| capable of handling this part of the soundtrack though | | | | of mothers and fathers forced to deal with the |
| it may require the reduction of sound quality from the | | | | incessant thumping and pounding of boom box bass |
| mid and high range frequency speakers. Choosing a | | | | lines from their adolescent's car or room. There is |
| good sound system with a quality bass speaker is not | | | | something to say for the potential for this phenomenon |
| impossible, even for people who do not have a lot of | | | | to occur in a home theater as well. While walls, ceiling |
| experience. First, start with the subwoofer. | | | | and floor will generally block high sound frequencies |
| Homeowners will need to consider whether they | | | | from leaving the room, they can actually increase the |
| require a passive sub or an active woofer. A passive | | | | volume of the lower range sounds. While laying out |
| subwoofer does not need a separate power supply. | | | | your speakers, try to also find the right volume balance |
| Rather it uses power from the same amp that is | | | | for all frequencies that your family can enjoy the |
| driving the other home theatre speakers. Volume from | | | | sound quality a bass can provide without driving your |
| the amplifier can usually be controlled, there is less | | | | neighbors crazy. ~Ben Anton, 2008 |
| control overall with a passive sub. An active sub has a | | | | Ben Anton lives in Portland, OR. |