Subs. The bass. The volume. The wonder. One of the most ridiculous parts in your stereo, as well as, just about the most essential.
Cheap subwoofers reproduce the lowest frequencies of the audio spectrum, AKA bass. They are essential to both SQ and SPL systems, but for different reasons. Let's take a look now...
For SQ systems: Successfully duplicate the bottom wavelengths producing the tunes audio complete and potent. Musical instruments which play lower wavelengths including organs, percussion and keyboards should sound a lot more authentic and potent having a bass speaker set up.
For SPL systems: Because subwoofers are loud, they are the preferred speaker to make a whole lotta noise.
Also, because our ears are less sensitive to lower frequencies we need the extra bass for the system to sound balanced.
And so, what will I must search for to discover a fantastic sub? I am going to let you know!
Power Handling:
Much like with each and every part in a music system, power handling is essential for subs too. Previously, from my report related to audio speakers, I discussed the best way to deliver more power to them to improve their volume, however reduce the distortions. This is also true for subs, yet be cautious! Because reduced frequency distortions will be more difficult to comprehend, it's simple to add too much, and kill your subs. Regardless, that being said, it's best to purchase an amplifier that will produce precisely what your subs are created to handle, yet chill out!
Size:
Bass speakers are available in numerous sizes, although the most popular are 8", 10", 12", and 15". This might be additionally observed in metric for the european brand names. Understandably, the larger subwoofers are the types which will perform more louder and perform lower. Obviously, small types tend to be musical, much more accurate, and sound "firmer". How big you choose normally has to do with your personal tastes, in addition to set up factors. Keep in mind! 18" subs will not simply fit any place!
Voice coil info:
SVC: Single voice coil
This means that the speaker has only one voice coil. In other words, only one input.
DVC: Dual voice coil
This means that the speaker has two voice coils, or two inputs.
Why does it matter?
I could go into details here, but I know you don't really care. Basically, it boils down to this: With a DVC subwoofer, there are more installation options. Look at it this way, a DVC "looks" like two subwoofers to your amplifier. With some nifty wiring tricks (called series and parallel), you can hook up many subwoofers to a single amp--even if the amp is a "mono" or a two channel amp. In addition, you can manipulate how many ohms the amp has to push. If you have an amp that is stable to a half ohm (like some old school Orion HCCA amps), you could potentially hook up 4-8 woofers to a single channel! Imagine the noise you could make!
Some words about boxes:
Boxes are crucial to many subs. Quite simply, think about a subwoofer's box just as essential as the subwoofer itself. Why? Since most subs require a box to use correctly, seem good, and never damage themselves. Subs that do not require a box are known as "free air" or "infinite baffle" subs.
Like I said, most subwoofers need a box. So, let's talk about boxes!
First, what kinds of boxes exist?
Sealed: The easiest kind. Basically, a sealed box is really a box in which the inside and outdoors aren't linked. You will find no holes, and care is taken to make sure that this area is totally sealed.
Ported: A ported box is a subwoofer box with at least one hole, or "port" in it. The goal of the ported box is to emphasize a certain frequency. These boxes are used because they are often louder than sealed boxes.
Bandpass: A bandpass box is comparable to a ported box since it has ports however, the bandpass box attempts to p-stress certain wavelengths, while emphasizing others. Quite simply, it really works just like a bandpass crossover. The bandpass box stresses a frequency band while p-emphasizing wavelengths less than and greater compared to band.
Isobarik: These boxes aim to fit more than one subwoofer into a small box. The subwoofers are set up to work in tandem. Sometimes both subs move in the same direction at the same time, sometimes one sub pulls while the other pushes. There are advantages to this type of setup, but box design is difficult.
OK, so you've now learned everything about SUBZ, but listed here are the specs that you will need to know to select your subwoofer:
Power Handling: Subs are speakers, and as such can only handle so much power (or distortion) before they blow! Power handling is measured in watts, and is often given in two specifications: RMS and Max (or peak). The RMS rating is the most important. If a sub says it can handle 200 watts RMS and 400 watts Max, be sure the amp will provide 200 watts RMS as well. Not 400 watts RMS. While it's true that the sub can handle 400 watts, it can only handle that kind of power for a short time. If you hook that sub up to an amp that puts out 400 watts RMS, you will ruin that speaker pretty quickly--because it is constantly being exposed to 400 watts, not short bursts of 400 watts. You dig? Good.
Sensitivity: This term means exactly what you think it means. In short, a subwoofer with higher sensitivty will be louder than a subwoofer with lower sensitivty when they are hooked up to the same amp. The spec is measured in db.
Frequency response: You clearly desire a subwoofer than are designed for an array of wavelengths. However, the subwoofer does probably the most work under 100hz. When the subwoofer plays completely lower to 20hz, you realize you have a great sub. The good thing is that even when it does not go that low, most music does not either. Sooooo, you will still be fine. The it's more essential to possess a low-playing sub in systems with DVD gamers and 5.1 seem. Also, frequency response varies with respect to the box the subwoofer is set up in. Ummmm, so with this thought, just choose a subwoofer which will handle the energy, and seem the way you would like it to.
Cone Material: When it comes to subwoofers, this is actually a pretty important thing to pay attention to. Because subwoofers are big and powerful, you need a cone material that can withstand lots and lots of abuse. I personally am a big fan of metals such as alluminum. This is because aluminum is light and stiff, and likewise, produces very tight and musical sounding bass. I know that many subwoofer manufacturers use exotic sounding materials for their subwoofers, which makes it difficult to determine which material is the best.
Surround material: Here's my advice: Always get a subwoofer with a rubber surround. Rubber holds up the best in the auto environment.
Impedence: Measured in Ohms, this spec informs you the way much resistance the speaker presents for your amplifier. An excessive amount of, and also you get no volume, not enough, as well as your subwoofer will fry your amplifier! This spec can help you choose which amplifier to connect for your subwoofer, whether you need to bridge your amplifier, and whether you need to wire multiple subs into parallel or series. Also, subs sometimes have several voice coil (also known as DVC). Which means that the subwoofer may have two inputs, each with similar impedence. Subs with dual voice coils tend to be more versatile to set up, particularly in multiple woofer systems.
A simple bass speaker set up is very simple. If you purchase a pre-fab subwoofer box, install the subs and power them, you'll receive great bass. To put in expertly, and get the most effective sound, a lot of preparing and labor needs to go into the entire procedure. It is a scenario in which should you not sense positive within your capability to construct a box, tune it, and connect it, you need to go to the car audio and video store, and have these people get it done for you. This could be fairly inexpensive, or very costly.
Should you be considering upon performing the set up yourself, but don't have the box constructing abilities, you can purchase a pre-fab box. I'd personally additionally highly recommend an EQ gadget to tweak the bass. This will aid you to conquer highway noise (which destroys bass), as well as minimize "boominess" and "muddiness". Ultimately, this path is the greatest undermine among a custom box and a pre-fab box. You'll receive excellent sound, and spend less!
Cheap subwoofers reproduce the lowest frequencies of the audio spectrum, AKA bass. They are essential to both SQ and SPL systems, but for different reasons. Let's take a look now...
For SQ systems: Successfully duplicate the bottom wavelengths producing the tunes audio complete and potent. Musical instruments which play lower wavelengths including organs, percussion and keyboards should sound a lot more authentic and potent having a bass speaker set up.
For SPL systems: Because subwoofers are loud, they are the preferred speaker to make a whole lotta noise.
Also, because our ears are less sensitive to lower frequencies we need the extra bass for the system to sound balanced.
And so, what will I must search for to discover a fantastic sub? I am going to let you know!
Power Handling:
Much like with each and every part in a music system, power handling is essential for subs too. Previously, from my report related to audio speakers, I discussed the best way to deliver more power to them to improve their volume, however reduce the distortions. This is also true for subs, yet be cautious! Because reduced frequency distortions will be more difficult to comprehend, it's simple to add too much, and kill your subs. Regardless, that being said, it's best to purchase an amplifier that will produce precisely what your subs are created to handle, yet chill out!
Size:
Bass speakers are available in numerous sizes, although the most popular are 8", 10", 12", and 15". This might be additionally observed in metric for the european brand names. Understandably, the larger subwoofers are the types which will perform more louder and perform lower. Obviously, small types tend to be musical, much more accurate, and sound "firmer". How big you choose normally has to do with your personal tastes, in addition to set up factors. Keep in mind! 18" subs will not simply fit any place!
Voice coil info:
SVC: Single voice coil
This means that the speaker has only one voice coil. In other words, only one input.
DVC: Dual voice coil
This means that the speaker has two voice coils, or two inputs.
Why does it matter?
I could go into details here, but I know you don't really care. Basically, it boils down to this: With a DVC subwoofer, there are more installation options. Look at it this way, a DVC "looks" like two subwoofers to your amplifier. With some nifty wiring tricks (called series and parallel), you can hook up many subwoofers to a single amp--even if the amp is a "mono" or a two channel amp. In addition, you can manipulate how many ohms the amp has to push. If you have an amp that is stable to a half ohm (like some old school Orion HCCA amps), you could potentially hook up 4-8 woofers to a single channel! Imagine the noise you could make!
Some words about boxes:
Boxes are crucial to many subs. Quite simply, think about a subwoofer's box just as essential as the subwoofer itself. Why? Since most subs require a box to use correctly, seem good, and never damage themselves. Subs that do not require a box are known as "free air" or "infinite baffle" subs.
Like I said, most subwoofers need a box. So, let's talk about boxes!
First, what kinds of boxes exist?
Sealed: The easiest kind. Basically, a sealed box is really a box in which the inside and outdoors aren't linked. You will find no holes, and care is taken to make sure that this area is totally sealed.
Ported: A ported box is a subwoofer box with at least one hole, or "port" in it. The goal of the ported box is to emphasize a certain frequency. These boxes are used because they are often louder than sealed boxes.
Bandpass: A bandpass box is comparable to a ported box since it has ports however, the bandpass box attempts to p-stress certain wavelengths, while emphasizing others. Quite simply, it really works just like a bandpass crossover. The bandpass box stresses a frequency band while p-emphasizing wavelengths less than and greater compared to band.
Isobarik: These boxes aim to fit more than one subwoofer into a small box. The subwoofers are set up to work in tandem. Sometimes both subs move in the same direction at the same time, sometimes one sub pulls while the other pushes. There are advantages to this type of setup, but box design is difficult.
OK, so you've now learned everything about SUBZ, but listed here are the specs that you will need to know to select your subwoofer:
Power Handling: Subs are speakers, and as such can only handle so much power (or distortion) before they blow! Power handling is measured in watts, and is often given in two specifications: RMS and Max (or peak). The RMS rating is the most important. If a sub says it can handle 200 watts RMS and 400 watts Max, be sure the amp will provide 200 watts RMS as well. Not 400 watts RMS. While it's true that the sub can handle 400 watts, it can only handle that kind of power for a short time. If you hook that sub up to an amp that puts out 400 watts RMS, you will ruin that speaker pretty quickly--because it is constantly being exposed to 400 watts, not short bursts of 400 watts. You dig? Good.
Sensitivity: This term means exactly what you think it means. In short, a subwoofer with higher sensitivty will be louder than a subwoofer with lower sensitivty when they are hooked up to the same amp. The spec is measured in db.
Frequency response: You clearly desire a subwoofer than are designed for an array of wavelengths. However, the subwoofer does probably the most work under 100hz. When the subwoofer plays completely lower to 20hz, you realize you have a great sub. The good thing is that even when it does not go that low, most music does not either. Sooooo, you will still be fine. The it's more essential to possess a low-playing sub in systems with DVD gamers and 5.1 seem. Also, frequency response varies with respect to the box the subwoofer is set up in. Ummmm, so with this thought, just choose a subwoofer which will handle the energy, and seem the way you would like it to.
Cone Material: When it comes to subwoofers, this is actually a pretty important thing to pay attention to. Because subwoofers are big and powerful, you need a cone material that can withstand lots and lots of abuse. I personally am a big fan of metals such as alluminum. This is because aluminum is light and stiff, and likewise, produces very tight and musical sounding bass. I know that many subwoofer manufacturers use exotic sounding materials for their subwoofers, which makes it difficult to determine which material is the best.
Surround material: Here's my advice: Always get a subwoofer with a rubber surround. Rubber holds up the best in the auto environment.
Impedence: Measured in Ohms, this spec informs you the way much resistance the speaker presents for your amplifier. An excessive amount of, and also you get no volume, not enough, as well as your subwoofer will fry your amplifier! This spec can help you choose which amplifier to connect for your subwoofer, whether you need to bridge your amplifier, and whether you need to wire multiple subs into parallel or series. Also, subs sometimes have several voice coil (also known as DVC). Which means that the subwoofer may have two inputs, each with similar impedence. Subs with dual voice coils tend to be more versatile to set up, particularly in multiple woofer systems.
A simple bass speaker set up is very simple. If you purchase a pre-fab subwoofer box, install the subs and power them, you'll receive great bass. To put in expertly, and get the most effective sound, a lot of preparing and labor needs to go into the entire procedure. It is a scenario in which should you not sense positive within your capability to construct a box, tune it, and connect it, you need to go to the car audio and video store, and have these people get it done for you. This could be fairly inexpensive, or very costly.
Should you be considering upon performing the set up yourself, but don't have the box constructing abilities, you can purchase a pre-fab box. I'd personally additionally highly recommend an EQ gadget to tweak the bass. This will aid you to conquer highway noise (which destroys bass), as well as minimize "boominess" and "muddiness". Ultimately, this path is the greatest undermine among a custom box and a pre-fab box. You'll receive excellent sound, and spend less!
