You’ve taken the leap into Hi Fidelity audio and purchased a new set of component speakers and a suitable amplifier; the obvious next question is “do I need a subwoofer?” If you want to experience the music the way it was meant to be heard, the answer is a resounding YES! In fact, a more accurate question is “which subwoofer is best for my system?”
A full range speaker or component speaker system is designed to play the full spectrum of frequencies (usually 20Hz to 20,000Hz). Higher quality speakers use materials and tuning that allows them to be very accurate in the mid to upper ranges but will naturally “roll off” below certain frequencies. Let’s use the TPD HiFi kick panels as an example. Most are equipped with the Morel Virtus Nano Carbon 62 or 63, 2-way or 3-way system. Both speakers use the MW6, 6.5-inch woofer. Notice I said woofer, not subwoofer, yes, they are different. The MW6 has a resonant frequency of 68 Hz. This means that the speaker is most efficient at 68 Hz and it becomes increasingly difficult for this speaker to produce frequencies the further below they are from its resonant frequency. This is what we referred to earlier as “roll off”. The MW6 naturally begins to “roll off” below 68 Hz. On the flip side, this woofer is very good at producing frequencies of 68 Hz and above. It brings life to those mid-bass and lower midrange frequencies that give definition to the music.
Sub-Bass 20 Hz – 60Hz Felt more than it’s heard and takes high-quality headphones or speakers to reproduce; most instruments struggle to enter this range.
Music has a frequency range from around 20Hz to 20,000Hz. Since our woofer starts to become quieter below 68Hz, we need a speaker that can fill in those frequencies, this is where our subwoofer comes in. Subwoofers excel at producing frequencies in the 20Hz - 60Hz range and usually have a resonant frequency within that range. Many think that subwoofers are only used in “ground-pounder” systems that can be heard from blocks away. Yes, that can be accomplished with the use of subwoofers but in this case, we are simply referring to a speaker that is specifically designed to produce those sub frequencies as accurately as possible. In fact, a subwoofer doesn’t have to be large. There are many 6.5-inch subwoofers that work well at producing low bass because that’s what they were designed to do. Of course, larger subwoofers become necessary to produce those same frequencies at higher volume (or output) levels and at greater distances.
At TPD HiFi we can help you choose the best subwoofer, taking things into consideration such as vehicle space constraints, musical tastes and desired output level. Do you plan to listen at a moderate level most of the time or are you a “crank it up” listener?
There are generally two types of subwoofer systems: active and passive. An active subwoofer simply means that the subwoofer (usually installed in an enclosure) has the power amplifier built in. A passive subwoofer requires an external amplifier. Each has its pros and cons; let’s dive in.
The active (or powered) subwoofer consists of a subwoofer, an enclosure (or box), and an amplifier with built in crossover. The number one advantage of this system is that everything is calculated for you. An audio engineer has chosen a subwoofer, designed an enclosure to maximize the subwoofer’s performance and paired it with a power amplifier that is perfectly matched to the subwoofer. All you have to do is install it, connect a few wires and you are down the road. You don’t need to wire an amplifier and a subwoofer box separately. In general, these types of subwoofers sound great and get the job done, however, there are a few drawbacks. They are built into some common sized enclosures to fit many applications. If you have a car with a trunk or cargo area, generally, any active subwoofer will fit. You will just have to figure out how to mount it, so it doesn’t become a dangerous flying obstacle. If you have a pickup, you will be limited to active subwoofers that fit under or behind your seat. This may or may not be a “con” for you, but active subwoofers don’t necessarily look “custom”. Some are very simple box designs and some look like the industrial designer’s first project out of college. Bottom line is you are limited to the designs available. Lastly, you are somewhat limited to the output levels available. Although there are now some higher-powered units available, most active subs are generally smaller subs (10 inch or less) with no more than about 300 watt amplifiers. These are totally fine for the average system but if you are building a high-powered system you might want to look at a larger more powerful subwoofer system to keep up with the rest of your system.
The passive subwoofer system can get a little more complicated. You will first have to choose a subwoofer (or multiple subwoofers), then purchase a pre-fabricated enclosure that fits your vehicle or build a custom enclosure. Once you have the subwoofer(s) and enclosure you still need an amplifier to “power” the subwoofer. The amplifier can be a dedicated mono-block amplifier designed just for subwoofers, or it can be a multi-channel amplifier that can power your entire system. The system will then need to be wired using the correct gauge of power and speaker wires to get the most out of your system. The downside of the passive system is the complexity, but the upsides are pretty great. You can design the system as big (or small) as you want and it can be find tuned to your system and your tastes. Also, if you are working on a custom or classic vehicle, the custom installed system can be designed to look and fit like it belongs in your vehicle. Sometimes aesthetics can be nearly as important as sound, especially when working with classics.
At TPD HiFI, we have a wide selection of both active subwoofers as well as every component necessary to build a custom passive subwoofer system. Contact our system design specialists here at TPD HiFi your audio questions. We would love to hear about your vehicle and system and assist you with any design questions.
Call or Text 918.992.6292