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A subwoofer may look dull, boxy, and obtrusive in your living space, but the benefits far outweigh the negatives. When paired with a soundbar, it will bring your movies and music to life—and better still, it doesn’t cost a fortune!
The 3 Main Benefits of Using a Subwoofer With a Soundbar
Modern TV speakers rarely produce a good sound due to the size constraints of flatscreen units. If you own or are considering buying a soundbar to boost your TV’s audio performance, a subwoofer is an essential addition.
Improved Bass Response
A subwoofer is a larger speaker, usually between 8 and 16 inches in diameter, dedicated to reproducing low frequencies between 20 and 200Hz. A better bass response makes distinguishing lower frequencies from the dialog easier, making audio more impactful across the entire sonic range. Meanwhile, frequencies at the lower end of the spectrum may be barely audible, but they add nuance to music, rumblings, and sound effects.
A More Immersive Experience
When a subwoofer is paired with a soundbar, the sound of movie scores, music, and games is more accurately reproduced. This makes the home viewing experience more cinematic and immersive, as it was intended to sound. Adding powerful lower frequencies significantly increases the feeling of being physically present. You can often feel the vibrations and pick up on subtle cues in the audio more quickly, making the entire audiovisual experience come alive.
A Fuller Soundstage
In addition to the excitement of eruptions, explosions, and booming basslines, subwoofers complete the frequency spectrum, allowing more space for the entire audio environment to breathe. Natural soundscapes come to life, from tempestuous wind and crashing ocean waves to subtleties like rustling leaves or footsteps. Urban scenes that include heavy traffic and industrial noises are more lifelike and dynamic, further involving you in the scene.
What to Consider When Buying a Subwoofer
A subwoofer often comes as part of a soundbar kit. While manyhigh-end soundbars like the Sonos Beam and Archave decent bass response from their built-in speakers, if you are looking for a standalone subwoofer, consider these features,
Frequency Range
Any dedicated subwoofer will considerably improve a home entertainment system. However, to get the most out of your movies, music, and games, look for a low-end frequency of 30Hz or lower. A subwoofer should produce sound with perfect clarity across its entire frequency range, so listen for distortion, especially at higher volume levels.
Enclosure Type
The design of a subwoofer’s enclosure significantly affects its performance. When choosing your ideal subwoofer, it’s important to consider the enclosure type that best suits the room size and the type of low-frequency sound that you are going for:
A ported enclosure is always a great option for a well-rounded sound for movies, though sealed enclosures are typically better for music.
Power Output
Power output is not massively important unless you use your subwoofer in a large living space or a dedicated home theater. As a rule of thumb, the higher the power output, measured in watts, the better the dynamics, but it doesn’t necessarily mean better clarity. An output between 150 and 500 watts is usually powerful enough for most applications, and it’s also worth considering the design quality and efficiency of a subwoofer when deciding its suitability.
Compatibility and Connectivity
Your choice of subwoofer must be compatible with your existing audiovisual setup. Active subwoofers have a built-in amplifier, and while they’re generally more powerful, they will require a separate power source. Most people choose to link the subwoofer toan AV receiver or soundbarvia a single audio cable, requiring no dedicated power source.
Ensure that your subwoofer’s impedance (measured in ohms) is compatible with the output of your amplifier or AV receiver.
Bluetooth subwoofers avoid cable clutter and work well with Bluetooth soundbars. However, they require a Bluetooth-enabled TV and a dedicated power source or battery supply. My home setup uses a combination of a Samsung Bluetooth soundbar wired to a passive subwoofer, which is ideal for use close to my TV stand.
For a relatively small expense, my subwoofer has transformed how I play games and enjoy movies and shows. Nowadays, TV sounds flat and featureless whenever I hear one without that essential bass resonance.
