Subwoofers 101: Which subwoofer is right for my space?

Subwoofers are essential components of a complete sound system. Without them, we only experience part of the soundtrack that the artist intended us to enjoy in its entirety. However, selecting the right subwoofer can be challenging. Should it be sealed, ported, or multiple subwoofers? Factors such as your listening environment, room size, the types of music you enjoy, and subwoofer placement all play a role in determining the best fit for you. With the variety of subwoofers we offer across Obsessed Garage and our SVS and Dynaudio models, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. This article will guide you through the differences between the subwoofers available, their benefits, and how to choose the one that best meets your needs.

Why Do I Need a Subwoofer?

This is a valid question, especially considering that popular brands like Sonos, Samsung, and even Sennheiser often exclude subwoofers from their soundbar or speaker packages, opting to sell them separately. This cost-cutting measure can detract from your listening and viewing experience. Have you ever listened to a soundtrack and thought, “Something is missing here”? This highlights the importance of having a complete soundstage tailored to your listening needs and environment.

Subwoofers are the primary producers of bass or low frequencies—the excitement and “feeling” you get while listening. When you eliminate the dedicated speaker responsible for these low frequencies, the burden falls on the other speakers in your system, which are not designed to handle that range effectively. This forces them to struggle with low frequencies, leading to a muddled and disappointing audio experience.

Sealed vs. Ported Subwoofers

Sealed and ported subwoofers both deliver low-frequency notes and booming bass during action scenes or low bass notes, but they differ significantly in how the bass sounds and feels, as well as their performance based on room size.

• Sealed Subwoofers: Due to their low-frequency drop-off, these speakers provide a fantastic frequency range and tight response. They can emphasize extremely low Hertz frequencies without distortion. Sealed subwoofers project sound directly forward, making them ideal for critical listening environments and smaller rooms. They perform exceptionally well in contained spaces but may struggle in larger areas.

• Ported Subwoofers: These are better suited for larger spaces due to their ability to manipulate air and produce deeper bass with less power draw. While they can output nearly twice the bass with half the power, they may create a harsher listening experience with less defined low-frequency clarity. The sound from ported subwoofers is more dispersed and less directional than that of sealed subwoofers.

Cubic Square Footage

Cubic footage is a critical aspect to consider when selecting the size and quantity of speakers needed to fill a space with sound adequately. To calculate a room's area, multiply the length and width by the height. 

For example, a room measuring 12ft x 12ft with an 8ft ceiling equals 1,152 cubic feet (CFT).

In smaller spaces (1,100-2,000 CFT), sealed subwoofers may perform excellently. However, in larger areas, such as garages where cubic footage often exceeds 3,000-5,000 CFT, ported subwoofers are typically the better choice due to their ability to fill larger spaces with bass.

Speaker Size and Quantity

Subwoofer size affects more than just the notion of “bigger is better.” It influences the detail of low frequencies, the impact of the sound, and how well the subwoofer integrates with the rest of your audio system.

• Surface Area: A subwoofer's surface area generally determines how deep or impactful it can sound. Larger speakers tend to produce more powerful bass. This is measured in Hertz (Hz) and reflects the speaker's frequency response.
  
  
• Room Size: The larger the room, the greater the demand for speaker size and quantity. You can increase the size and wattage of a single speaker, but results will plateau after a certain point. At that stage, adding additional subwoofers may be necessary.

Utilizing multiple smaller sealed subwoofers can bring more refined low notes back into the mix and achieve a balanced soundstage throughout the room. 

You have two main options:

1. A single, sufficiently powered ported subwoofer that meets your room's requirements, factoring in dead spots—areas where sound may be diminished.
   
   
2. A setup with multiple appropriately sized subwoofers that don’t need to operate at total capacity, ensuring a well-balanced sound throughout the entire space.

What Is Best for My Usage?

To answer this question, consider two factors: the types of music you listen to and the size of your space. Ported subwoofers excel with bass-heavy genres, while sealed subwoofers perform better with detailed soundtracks that emphasize lower frequencies.

For smaller spaces (1,200-2,000 CFT), consider the SVS SB Series Sealed Subwoofers like the SB-1000 Pro, SB-2000 Pro, and SB-3000, which emphasize heavy bass impact. The Dynaudio Subwoofers are also excellent options for critical listening, particularly the 3s, 6s, and 9s for small spaces, with the 18s suited for mid-sized rooms.

For larger areas (2,200-6,000 CFT), the SVS PC Series Ported Cylinder Subwoofers are ideal. The PC-2000 Pro fits well for small to mid-sized garages, and the PC-4000 is the best choice for larger spaces.

If you have further questions about subwoofer purchases, feel free to contact us at support@obsessedgarage.com.

Our knowledgeable team is happy to help you perfect your audio solution.