Subwoofer, where should it be?

Nichotj · 08-03-2003, 11:01

I'm getting a home cinema system real soon. But I've noticed that there seems to be a difference of opinion on where to place the subwoofer.

A guy in the shop says he has his behind the sofa, a couple of the websites I've visited say it can be anywhere in the room, prefferably on the floor and touching a wall.

So where do you have yours, have you tried different positions (for the subwoofer!) and what do you like the best?

Thanks

wicket · 08-03-2003, 11:57

It doesn't matter where you put it at all. I have mine by the tv but there is nothing to stop you placing it behind something.

Milky Joe · 08-03-2003, 12:24

yep mine is by the TV facing directly towards the sofa and pointing away from the door

Paul.Parsons · 08-03-2003, 20:53

It doesn't matter where you put it really, as our ears can not detect where base comes from
Mine is down by the side of the tv stand

Jim Rae · 10-03-2003, 11:47

Sorry, but I think it matters a lot where you put the sub if you want it to sound convincing.

I have three subs currently in use of different makes and power outputs in different rooms.

After much trial and error, I have found that the best place to put it is beside the TV, firing forward.

This business about not knowing where bass signals are coming from is a myth.

It might be partly true of explosions in movies, but it is definitely not true with music.

Imagine watching a jazz trio with the piano and drums coming from the front speakers and the bass coming from behind the back of the settee...

Front centre position is where it sounds most convincing.

RedEarth · 10-03-2003, 13:30

I have my sub directly beneath the TV, pointing straight at me. I used to have it at the side, but I'm sure I could tell it was off-centre. The instructions that came with mine suggested pointing it slightly diagonally, to stop the sound reflecting off an opposite wall and cancelling itself out, but I tried this and can't say it made much difference. I think forward-projecting subs do need to be placed carefully, people who say it doesn't matter may be referring to the omni-directional subs which have the cone pointing downwards.

The Dolby and THX sites have some useful guides to setting up home theatre systems.

iain · 10-03-2003, 15:34

clearly a few suggestions!

i'd heard that ideally it should be between the tv and one of the front side speakers, slightly in front of them, not up against a wall, and preferably with carpet or similar underneath.

at the end of the day if it sounds ok where you have it, it should be OK - it should be obvious if you need to move it, or adjust the settings!

Iain

Jim Rae · 10-03-2003, 22:35

Yes I agree...

It all depends on your local conditions, but I still think all this stuff about sticking the sub behind a sofa is a nonsense.

The sound should come from where it would come from in real life - and that's in front of you in most cases.

How often would live performance sound come from behind you?

How many rock groups would put the bass behind the audience, or even worse, a classical orchestra putting the double basses behind your ears?

Not many I think.

We had a pretty vigorous thunderstorm last week here - and we knew exactly which direction it was coming from - and there was some pretty impressive low frequency sub woofer type sound from it!

I blame BOSE and their leaflets for starting the rumour...

I rest my case.

comicsansserif · 11-03-2003, 12:48

I have to agree with Jim on this one.

It's not true that really low bass frequencies are not directional. Many people can tell where they are coming from. To get the best from a sub it wants to be centre front.

I personally see this going the same way as surround sound in general. It won't be long before we see hi-fi enthusiasts insisting on two subs to even out the low frequecies around the room and then perhaps the surround sound companies will create a spec for a Stereo Pair of subs in the future.

Jim Rae · 11-03-2003, 21:55

Two subs would be really good!

DJ_Dave · 17-03-2003, 00:18

Jim is right. It is better when placed facing you ie facing the sofa if you like. In a huge cinema room it may be a different story but for 98% of home systems I advise on placing the SW at the front facing you. Take care not to place it too close to the TV, ideally in between the front left speaker and the TV leaving around a 2 foot space either side.

Dan27 · 17-03-2003, 11:14

Bloody hell Jim Id be interested to see what the structural integrity of your house is currently at!

08-03-2003, 11:01	#1
Nichotj Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Herts, UK Posts: 35	Subwoofer, where should it be? I'm getting a home cinema system real soon. But I've noticed that there seems to be a difference of opinion on where to place the subwoofer. A guy in the shop says he has his behind the sofa, a couple of the websites I've visited say it can be anywhere in the room, prefferably on the floor and touching a wall. So where do you have yours, have you tried different positions (for the subwoofer!) and what do you like the best? Thanks

08-03-2003, 11:57	#2
wicket Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: NE England Posts: 3,096	It doesn't matter where you put it at all. I have mine by the tv but there is nothing to stop you placing it behind something.

08-03-2003, 12:24	#3
Milky Joe Forum Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: 0.3 units from doom Posts: 17,447	yep mine is by the TV facing directly towards the sofa and pointing away from the door

08-03-2003, 20:53	#4
Paul.Parsons Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Cheltenham Posts: 47	It doesn't matter where you put it really, as our ears can not detect where base comes from Mine is down by the side of the tv stand

10-03-2003, 11:47	#5
Jim Rae Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ayrshire Posts: 4,125	Sorry, but I think it matters a lot where you put the sub if you want it to sound convincing. I have three subs currently in use of different makes and power outputs in different rooms. After much trial and error, I have found that the best place to put it is beside the TV, firing forward. This business about not knowing where bass signals are coming from is a myth. It might be partly true of explosions in movies, but it is definitely not true with music. Imagine watching a jazz trio with the piano and drums coming from the front speakers and the bass coming from behind the back of the settee... Front centre position is where it sounds most convincing.

10-03-2003, 13:30	#6
RedEarth Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 1,004	I have my sub directly beneath the TV, pointing straight at me. I used to have it at the side, but I'm sure I could tell it was off-centre. The instructions that came with mine suggested pointing it slightly diagonally, to stop the sound reflecting off an opposite wall and cancelling itself out, but I tried this and can't say it made much difference. I think forward-projecting subs do need to be placed carefully, people who say it doesn't matter may be referring to the omni-directional subs which have the cone pointing downwards. The Dolby and THX sites have some useful guides to setting up home theatre systems.

10-03-2003, 15:34	#7
iain Guest Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 62,990	clearly a few suggestions! i'd heard that ideally it should be between the tv and one of the front side speakers, slightly in front of them, not up against a wall, and preferably with carpet or similar underneath. at the end of the day if it sounds ok where you have it, it should be OK - it should be obvious if you need to move it, or adjust the settings! Iain

10-03-2003, 22:35	#8
Jim Rae Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ayrshire Posts: 4,125	Yes I agree... It all depends on your local conditions, but I still think all this stuff about sticking the sub behind a sofa is a nonsense. The sound should come from where it would come from in real life - and that's in front of you in most cases. How often would live performance sound come from behind you? How many rock groups would put the bass behind the audience, or even worse, a classical orchestra putting the double basses behind your ears? Not many I think. We had a pretty vigorous thunderstorm last week here - and we knew exactly which direction it was coming from - and there was some pretty impressive low frequency sub woofer type sound from it! I blame BOSE and their leaflets for starting the rumour... I rest my case.

11-03-2003, 12:48	#9
comicsansserif Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: In front of my computer! Posts: 2,865	I have to agree with Jim on this one. It's not true that really low bass frequencies are not directional. Many people can tell where they are coming from. To get the best from a sub it wants to be centre front. I personally see this going the same way as surround sound in general. It won't be long before we see hi-fi enthusiasts insisting on two subs to even out the low frequecies around the room and then perhaps the surround sound companies will create a spec for a Stereo Pair of subs in the future.

11-03-2003, 21:55	#10
Jim Rae Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ayrshire Posts: 4,125	Two subs would be really good!

17-03-2003, 00:18	#11
DJ_Dave Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: East London Posts: 101	Jim is right. It is better when placed facing you ie facing the sofa if you like. In a huge cinema room it may be a different story but for 98% of home systems I advise on placing the SW at the front facing you. Take care not to place it too close to the TV, ideally in between the front left speaker and the TV leaving around a 2 foot space either side.

17-03-2003, 11:14	#12
Dan27 Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: By The Sea Posts: 9,574	Bloody hell Jim Id be interested to see what the structural integrity of your house is currently at!

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Subwoofer, where should it be?