Location of Subwoofer
Discussion
Hi All, quick question.
We are in the process of revamping the home cinema which includes turning it all around through 180 degrees. We are using a 5.1 surround sound (hopefully soon to be 7.1) and in the current set up the subwoofer sits behind the TV. Thing is if I keep it the same in the new setup it'll be directly over the daughters bedroom and I don't think it'll be very much appreciated.
So, does it matter where the sub sits? Could it go behind the sofa? Would it still have the same effect? I appreciate it's not necessarily the volume but the frequency of the sound.
We are in the process of revamping the home cinema which includes turning it all around through 180 degrees. We are using a 5.1 surround sound (hopefully soon to be 7.1) and in the current set up the subwoofer sits behind the TV. Thing is if I keep it the same in the new setup it'll be directly over the daughters bedroom and I don't think it'll be very much appreciated.
So, does it matter where the sub sits? Could it go behind the sofa? Would it still have the same effect? I appreciate it's not necessarily the volume but the frequency of the sound.
Depends whether the sub you have has a phase control, if it doesn't, it should be located in front of you.
Opinion varies as to whether it should be to the left of centre or the right of centre, left is more popular as that's where the timpany and bass drum section of an orchestra is located.
If the sub has a phase control then its ideal location will be dependant on the dimensions of the room and thus the room's modes.
Opinion varies as to whether it should be to the left of centre or the right of centre, left is more popular as that's where the timpany and bass drum section of an orchestra is located.
If the sub has a phase control then its ideal location will be dependant on the dimensions of the room and thus the room's modes.
The recommendation I have seen is to put the subwoofer in your prime listening position and then crawl around the floor listening to something bass heavy to find the best spot. Of course this doesn't always put it in a very practical position!
When mixing bass (drum or guitar) in music the 'rule' is that it is centred. I tend to mix the kick in the centre and bass just off to the right (from the listeners pov) because that's where I stand as a bass player.
When mixing bass (drum or guitar) in music the 'rule' is that it is centred. I tend to mix the kick in the centre and bass just off to the right (from the listeners pov) because that's where I stand as a bass player.
No phase control (I'm guessing because I don't know what it is). It's just a passive Sub with 4 levels to choose from, so I'm guessing it needs to be in front of us.
It's an old Panasonic surround sound system and has been a great servant although the DVD part has packed up so I'm running a separate Blu-Ray player.
A very kind PHeader has offered me a Pioneer 7.1 Amp that I will take off his hands at some point when the room is done, that probably has phase control - I guess.
What's Phase Control?
It's an old Panasonic surround sound system and has been a great servant although the DVD part has packed up so I'm running a separate Blu-Ray player.
A very kind PHeader has offered me a Pioneer 7.1 Amp that I will take off his hands at some point when the room is done, that probably has phase control - I guess.
What's Phase Control?
Road2Ruin said:
Where the sub goes makes no difference as the frequencies from it are the area where you can't locate where they are coming from. All I would say is don't put it next to any soft objects that may absorb the sound.
That was my thinking, agree about soft object, I'll keep it away from my head. 
Got one or 2 locations in mind, guess I could just try and see when the room has moved.
As it's a passive subwoofer and part of an all in one system, it probably will play sounds higher up the range (and not as low down) as a larger active sub would. Therefore you're likely to be able to 'locate' where the sub is, so if you put it behind you, then that's where you'll hear it. You might be better off moving it at least to a position in front of your usual seating position to avoid this strange effect.
Road2Ruin said:
Where the sub goes makes no difference as the frequencies from it are the area where you can't locate where they are coming from. All I would say is don't put it next to any soft objects that may absorb the sound.
Whilst it's true that bass frequencies are omni-directional, sub location being unimportant is patently not true.A room, depending on it's dimensions will create acoustic collisions when the waves hit each other having hit the walls and reflected, you don't want these collisions to occur where the viewer is seated, obviously as they cancel the wave out.
The single most important factor in screening room design is sub location, aside from the hardware and construction costs this component alone will eat up the most labour time getting right.
Plotloss said:
Depends whether the sub you have has a phase control, if it doesn't, it should be located in front of you.
Sorry, but I have to disagree. Even if it were as simple as that, imagine that your sub woofers driver faces the listener (i.e. on its front), if it's positioned behind you it's still 'pushing' the air at you as it would be if it were in front of you - so assuming the perfect room, a non inverting amp and identical distance then it will be in phase in either location. The distance from the various speakers to you are what dictates the required phase adjustment (and even this is simplifying it somewhat). The only reliable way to determine phase is to listen or measure at the listening position. The loudest setting will be the one that is in phase (and is often very subtle as it's only over a narrow frequency range if the correct roll off is chosen).
Plotloss said:
Road2Ruin said:
Where the sub goes makes no difference as the frequencies from it are the area where you can't locate where they are coming from. All I would say is don't put it next to any soft objects that may absorb the sound.
Whilst it's true that bass frequencies are omni-directional, sub location being unimportant is patently not true.A room, depending on it's dimensions will create acoustic collisions when the waves hit each other having hit the walls and reflected, you don't want these collisions to occur where the viewer is seated, obviously as they cancel the wave out.
The single most important factor in screening room design is sub location, aside from the hardware and construction costs this component alone will eat up the most labour time getting right.
IMHO keep the sub away from room corners to limit excess boundary gain which can sometime lead to a poor one note kind of sound. Set the subs cutoff frequency and volume level as low as you can and then work up until your are happiest with the sounds balance ~ if you restrict the sub to playing only the very lowest frequencies then it is much harder to locate the subs position when playing. It is a very subjective thing when all is said and done so let your ears tell you the best location for the sub and its control settings.
Edited by CRACKIE on Tuesday 7th September 01:37
Plotloss said:
Road2Ruin said:
Where the sub goes makes no difference as the frequencies from it are the area where you can't locate where they are coming from. All I would say is don't put it next to any soft objects that may absorb the sound.
Whilst it's true that bass frequencies are omni-directional, sub location being unimportant is patently not true.A room, depending on it's dimensions will create acoustic collisions when the waves hit each other having hit the walls and reflected, you don't want these collisions to occur where the viewer is seated, obviously as they cancel the wave out.
The single most important factor in screening room design is sub location, aside from the hardware and construction costs this component alone will eat up the most labour time getting right.
Road2Ruin said:
Plotloss said:
Road2Ruin said:
Where the sub goes makes no difference as the frequencies from it are the area where you can't locate where they are coming from. All I would say is don't put it next to any soft objects that may absorb the sound.
Whilst it's true that bass frequencies are omni-directional, sub location being unimportant is patently not true.A room, depending on it's dimensions will create acoustic collisions when the waves hit each other having hit the walls and reflected, you don't want these collisions to occur where the viewer is seated, obviously as they cancel the wave out.
The single most important factor in screening room design is sub location, aside from the hardware and construction costs this component alone will eat up the most labour time getting right.
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