Are you all about this bass? If so, a subwoofer has a place in your home audio setup. Despite the jargon in the name, a subwoofer is really just a speaker designed specifically for low frequencies. However, simply installing a subwoofer doesn’t guarantee that the bass in your favorite songs (and movies, TV shows, games, etc.) will shine to its full potential. A few key steps to optimizing your subwoofer will help you get the most out of this component of your audio system.
One of the easiest ways to start tuning your subwoofer with the goal of improving bass levels is to move the subwoofer to different spaces in the room. With each adjustment, you should aim to move the subwoofer approximately five feet. Ideally, every time you move the subwoofer to a new location, you should leave it there for a few days. You need some time to get a complete and accurate idea of how the new location influences the sound of the subwoofer. Take notes and you should eventually find a spot that gives the best results, where the bass is powerful without overpowering everything else.
If you haven’t yet purchased a subwoofer, it’s also a good idea to discuss your current setup with a professional before investing in one. Choosing the right size subwoofer requires considering factors such as the size of the space you will be installing it in, as well as the size and power of the existing speakers in your audio setup. Even an otherwise impressive subwoofer may not deliver the sound you want if it’s too small for the space and system it occupies.
Tips for optimizing your audio system’s subwoofer
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The suggestions above provide some basic ways to improve the performance of your subwoofer. If you want more technical details, check the back of the subwoofer to see what types of inputs it supports. If your subwoofer has an input called sub in, direct, bypass, or LFE (Low-Frequency Effects), use that as your input instead of the traditional RCA inputs. These jacks are specifically designed for low frequencies and will give you the best bass results. You’ll usually need a long interconnect cable to facilitate this connection, but you’ll be pleased with how the results outperform what you’d get with usual input options.
It’s also likely that your subwoofer is part of a larger setup made up of other speakers. You want to confirm that your subwoofer settings take into account those of the speakers already in your system. Although it may require some technical know-how, you can manually check the main speaker and subwoofer levels to see if they match. If not, make adjustments accordingly. For example, if the trim setting (used for fine volume adjustments) on your main speakers is set around zero or plus one, the subwoofer trim should also be as close to zero as possible.
Of course, applying all the advice in the world won’t do any good if you don’t have the right subwoofer. That’s why if you’re in the market for a new unit, it’s important to do your research. By reviewing the best subwoofers on Amazon or the most popular subwoofers among audiophiles, you’ll be more likely to buy something that ensures the bass always booms.
