How to Shop for Subwoofers
Adding a subwoofer is one of the best improvements in sound quality you can make. Even the best component speakers won't
give you rich lower frequencies like the thud of a drum against your chest or the fluid basslines of jazz. The sky's the limit if you really want to pound,
but you certainly don't need a trunk full of equipment to get good bass.
The Subwoofer
Subwoofers range in size from as small as 6" to 18" in diameter and are usually round (though square and other subwoofer
shapes are becoming popular).
- Materials - Speaker cones can be made from treated paper, metals (such as aluminum), or various types of plastic. Paper tends to be the least
durable and reduces the detail in the sound. However, because it is so lightweight it may respond more accurately than other materials.
- Size and Quantity - The larger the surface area of the subwoofer, the deeper the notes it can play. However, smaller subs may sound a bit cleaner
and may hit harder because they have less mass and can respond more quickly. Multiple subwoofers (2, 3, or even 4) will play more loudly than a single sub
and handle higher amounts of power. Ultimately its your musical preference (and your size constraints) that will decide which configuration is best.
- DVC / SVC -Dual voice coil (DVC) subwoofers have two sets of terminals to allow for wiring flexibility. DVC subs are great for load matching to
your particular amplifier, but they are more complicated to wire than single voice coil (SVC) subs.
Enclosures: which one is right for you?
Most subs must be mounted in an enclosure to work properly. The type of enclosure you select depends on your sound
preferences and your particular vehicle. Sealed boxes, ported boxes, and bandpass enclosures come in all sorts of sizes and configurations, with a single
sealed enclosure being the most popular. Free air (baffle board) and custom fitted enclosures work well in some vehicles, especially where space is at a
premium.
- Sealed Box - A speaker is mounted in a sealed, airtight box. The air trapped inside the box acts as "air suspension" and serves to improve the
transient response of the system. Sealed enclosures are typically smaller than ported or bandpass enclosures and offer maximum power handling. Sealed systems
tend towards a cleaner sound (think jazz, classical, pop) compared to ported boxes.
- Ported Box - A tuned port or duct is used to fortify the low frequency output of the speaker. In general, ported enclosures play louder than
sealed enclosures, but are usually larger and they have reduced power handling. Ported systems tend to have a boomier, richer, more resonant sound (think hip
hop or heavy metal).
- Bandpass Box - The woofer is mounted in a dual-chambered box, one chamber sealed and the other ported. This design extracts the most output from
your speakers, and is great for limited power applications. Bandpass systems are known for an aggressive, boomy sound ideal for rap, reggae, and hard rock.
Not all subs work well in bandpass boxes.
- Free Air - The subwoofer is mounted on a baffle board with an effectively "infinite" enclosure (such as the trunk of a vehicle). A subwoofer must
be designed for free air use and the trunk must be airtight for best results. In effect, you're using your trunk as the enclosure.
- Custom-Fit - If you want a sub that blends with your car's interior, you might consider a custom-fit enclosure. Q-Logic, OBCON, and others make
subwoofer enclosures to fit into specific vehicles. This type of enclosure is the least intrusive and provides a "stealth" installation.
Amplifier Requirements
If you're looking for serious bass, you're going to need serious power to drive your subwoofers. The more watts from
your amplifier, the louder you can play your subs without causing distortion. In general, you'll need at least 100 watts, although some subs demand
substantially more power. A single amplifier can run both main speakers and a subwoofer, provided the amp is powerful enough to drive everything and there is
a mono or bridgeable subwoofer output.
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