A subwoofer, often called a "sub" or alternately spelled "sub woofer," is an important component of any audio system. While specifications will differ depending on room size and musical tastes, there are certain basic qualities that are present in all well-designed subs. You may see them advertised as 12" subwoofers, or 12 subwoofer. This designation refers to the size of the cones inside the subwoofer's speaker box. Only subwoofers need a speaker enclosure (also called a subwoofer enclosure or sub woofer box). Tweeter and middle range speakers don't need an enclosure of any sort. You may find subwoofer/mid-range speaker combos that enclose both sets of speakers, but this will usually be for the sake of convenience rather than necessity. A good quality sub has high definition sound, and low sound distortion. Many subs have a distortion rate of 25 to 30 percent. The music you hear on these systems lacks clarity. Good subwoofers have a distortion rate of five percent, and top-end subs may have distortion rates as low as one percent. When listening to the sub, you want to be able to hear and distinguish the bass guitar notes, baritone voices, and drum beats. A good subwoofer should also have ample low frequency extension that allows you to feel the bass notes, as well as hear them. The best subs go below 20HZ. If you enjoy dance music and hip-hop, the low frequency extension is particularly important. Good dancers love bass notes, and rhythmically challenged dancers can't keep a beat without a strong bass. Your ideal sub will have adequate output so that the music you listen to has a dynamic quality. This is often dependent on the size of the room where you listen to music. Of course, larger rooms will require a more powerful sub, and the more powerful subs will also have bigger drives as well as bigger amplifiers. In general, choosing a larger sized sub will ensure high definition sound, ample low frequency extension, and adequate output. |
