This is such a problem that subwoofers have to be organized at live events to cancel each other out on the stage. But it is more than that. My name is Samun and Ive been a theater buff since I was a toddler. You could have the best model in the world, but that wont matter if you cant get the right sound balance. For one, you can experiment with other places in the room to put your gear. However, you might be surprised by how well it performs when it's placed on its side. Select the department you want to search in. The Indoor Haven also participates in affiliate programs with Bluehost, Clickbank, CJ, ShareASale, and other sites. In addition, placing a down-firing sub on its side would distort the sound. A designer might use multiple (or very large) drivers to hit certain performance parameters. Does Dolby Atmos Work With Bluetooth Headphones? FYI - The sub-woofer speaker is located at one of the large side covered with a thin material and i'd keep this side up (The red/blue LED to show blue-tooth will be on the side in contact with the floor - opposite side of speaker). However, you may find that it wont work well in the optimal position. That means that the bass bounces off at least one wall before the wave completes one cycle. As long as you arent inhibiting the motion of the driver or facing the driver into a surface, it should make no difference to the sound. Best Onkyo AV Receiver for You - 2022 Edition! We also use these cookies to understand how customers use our services (for example, by measuring site visits) so we can make improvements. In most cases, the manufacturer will include clear instructions on how you can optimize the performance of the subwoofer based on how you place it. Please try again. Samsung.com Services and marketing information, new product and service announcements as well as special offers, events and newsletters. As an affiliate, I may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. If for whatever reason, you have no other choice but to put your speaker on its side, choose a shorter time than you would with an upright position. QotD: Can I Place a Subwoofer on its Side. This causes turbulence and distortion in the sound because the airflow has no way of being directed downward. A video can be up to 1 GB, We encountered a problem while trying to upload. JavaScript is disabled. The seating position should be located about 2.5 to 3 times the distance of the TV's screen size away from the TV. I haven't tried to use the sub-woofer sideways. On the other hand, your sub may not look as appealing on its side. But depending on the room, it might give your bass too much reinforcement, and it can sound boomy. Putting a subwoofer on its side is generally considered a bad idea. If not, the bass will be so overwhelming that the musicians cant hear what they are playing. Mark this on the ground as well. Perhaps you like to listen to music with a prominent bass line, so you need those frequencies to be clear. Whether the subwoofer is wireless or not, that will help you get the best sound quality. Its distancefrom the other speakers isn't important. You want to make sure that your subwoofer will be stable and that you wont damage it by stuffing it in a small space. The problem could come from the distance from the sound bar (around 2.5 m to 3 meters max), also if the bed frame is made of metal it could interfere with the BlueTooth signal and finally the Bluetooth receptor location could create some isue (don't know where it is within the sub-woofer box). When you place your subwoofer in this position, you are putting it into an environment that is radically different from its normal, safe location. A proper subwoofer system utilizes a subwoofer in the front of the car to push frequencies below 100 decibels in the car. When placing your front-firing subwoofer on its side, make sure that the speaker faces your listening area. Mark the corners of the sub on the ground, using your measuring tape or a can of spray paint. Lets take a look at the pros and cons of doing this, as well as some guidelines for stacking your subwoofer up. For example, stacking it on top of your TV could ruin the sound quality. A smaller subwoofer is a better option for amplifying your desk speakers. You can place the Subwoofer on any side except the side where the power cable is connected. So before you choose a model, consider where you might put it and its dimensions. If you agree, well also use cookies to complement your shopping experience across the Amazon stores as described in our Cookie Notice. Typically, your subwoofer should never be used outside of its case. But if you turn it on the side, the device might work well. In the case of external vertical ports, which are best placed in a corner, the port will either fire "through the wall" (a solid masonry wall for example) or out of the box. This also explains why front firing and down-firing doesnt matter. Code not valid with this product If there isn't enough room place these speakers so they face each other. Instead, they seem to suggest that the subwoofer should only be placed on a flat surface and at a specific height. Just make sure that the subwoofer wont fall over. How the speaker will sound if it is under a bed or sofa however is something you probably need to try and see. Instead, its possible that having this detail, also called nodes, might be important to the performance of your subwoofer. Unlike some other models of woofer, on this one, one of the sides is covered in a fabric which essentially covers the speaker cone and allows the sound out. The opinions expressed on hometheaterandsound.com are our personal opinions and for general informational purposes only. You can learn more about Tom on his website, www.tomandry.com.
Remember that bass frequencies move slower, and therefore their orientation and placement significantly affect the sound quality. You dont have to worry about the bass getting too loud when its out of a corner. The differences were aesthetic (cylinder versus large box) and for footprint (cylinder has a smaller footprint but is taller) reasons. This includes using first- and third-party cookies, which store or access standard device information such as a unique identifier. Subwoofer position. These small parts arent just there to look good. Align the front faces of the front speakers with the front face of the centre speaker, or place them slightly in front of the centre speaker. Home Smart Home Can You Put a Subwoofer on Its Side? Put the blanket under the device, and it will absorb some of the sound to keep it from getting too loud.
Depending on your positioning, you may need to add extra protection. Therefore, is it alright to put a subwoofer on its side? Over the years, I have learned a lot about AV equipment and room acoustics. Have at it. You should also consider if you want to hear more bass, or if you want to improve the quality of the bass. While an overwhelming number of options can lead to confusion over the best one for your project, you shouldnt let it. But the best sound can be very subjective, so you need to decide what that means for you.
Never! We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. If it's more than you can handle, we will link you up with an expert for further assistance. Measure the height of your subwoofer in inches also and place your measuring tape or can of paint at the same height as the sides. Can the subwoofer be placed on it's side under a bed or will that block any important openings etc? Placing it in an open environment with the same gain settings will mean itll have to work harder to produce the same output and will put unnecessary strain on the driver. Yes, you can place a subwoofer on its side. The subwoofer should be placed on the floor. This is because bass frequencies may reflect from the back wall and back into the listening area. Placing rectangular subs on their sides can also affect the quality of sound. Contrary to what you might believe, placing it upside down, or on its side, could potentially do a lot of damage. Copyright 1998-2022 AV Gadgets. The vast majority of subwoofers that youll come across feature a downward-firing port. If you cant place your subwoofer on its side because of vibration concerns, you can use a blanket. As mentioned above, finding new and unique ways to position your sub can enhance the appearance of your living area. Now its time for level 2, the second round of leveling. Shoppers find videos more helpful than text alone. Welcome to The Indoor Haven. The rear of the vehicle doesnt need a speaker to push bass frequencies, because the bass notes will be balanced properly with the front. In this case, you probably wont need to put the subwoofer on its side unless theres an awkward placement for the cables. Subwoofers usually have floor space requirements comprised of three basic elements: back, side, and height. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. If you put the subwoofer on its side, you run less chance of skewing the electronics. Building home theater rooms has been my hobby for a long time. There are a lot of reasons. We use cookies and similar tools that are necessary to enable you to make purchases, to enhance your shopping experiences and to provide our services, as detailed in our Cookie Notice. The next option for placing your subwoofer is in the center of one wall. Only one side of the speaker is active. This is especially true for sealed subs since the problems are even more pronounced and harder to fix. It ain't much, but at least it's an honest living. Youre done with the 3 parts of the leveling process.
Consider the sound and design before you set up and start using your subwoofer. This could cause the subwoofer to topple over. In some cases, it is okay to put a subwoofer on its side. The placement in the room can affect the sound that you get from your subwoofer, but thats not the only factor. Your speaker may last longer if you keep it upright. Whether you just got your first subwoofer or your fifth, you need to put it in the correct position. There are no objections to being "upside-down", as far as the acoustical and the electrical response it's all good. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. If you look closely at the surface of your subwoofer, you will notice that there are protruding parts. But is there something more to it than that? This is a subwoofer that beam-directs sound output in a specific direction, as opposed to omnidirectional speakers, which beam-direct sound straight out the back. So while its true that subwoofers should be placed on a flat surface, its more important to ensure that the platform youre placing your subwoofer on is also sturdy and vibration-free. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); As an Amazon Associate, we may earn income when you click on an Amazon link. As you set up your subwoofer, think about if you should put it on its size and if thats possible. Buying a subwoofer speaker stand helps isolate the vibrations and prevent them from traveling down to the floor and the sound waves from disturbing/confusing the pets, family members, and neighbors. The surround speakers will not emit sound most of the time. The longest will be over 56 feet! If you are upgrading your sound system and prefer placing your subs on their side, choose models that can work well in that position, LG Sound Bar How to & Troubleshooting Guide. You can put your subwoofer anywhere within the room, and wireless ones can be up to 60 feet from your speakers. Click Customise Cookies to decline these cookies, make more detailed choices, or learn more. It is not OK. {"hash": "d726a97cf4cf50fb30fd0355cadcdb63"}. On the other hand, if your favorite music doesnt use much bass, the corner maybe your best option. On the other hand, in front-firing subwoofers, sound comes from the front and vibrates the air. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. The speaker diaphragm and the bass reflex port should have some space on each side, so you dont want to rest the subwoofer on top of those. A forum community dedicated to home theater owners and enthusiasts. I just confirmed with JBL that there is no harm in setting it on its side. Positioning your subwoofer is an essential consideration. Welcome to Home Theater Academy, my blog. If you purchase a subwoofer without these instructions, but with mounting hardware, you may determine the placement of your subwoofer based on the location of the mounting points. Listeners should be free to move around the room, particularly to move to the opposite side of the room from where the subwoofer is located. Note: unlike the front and centre speakers the surround speakers are used mainly for sound effects. The final measurement should be 3. Subwoofers are either down-firing or front-firing. Editor-in-Chief of AV Gadgets, Tom Andry is also host of the AV Rant podcast and author of the Bob Moore series of books. Placing it in the center of a given wall means that its away from the corner, but it can still benefit from some reinforcement. Read some reviews to decide if it has the qualities you want in a subwoofer. Plug it in, then walk around the room until you find the spot with the sound you want. The problem with placing the subwoofer on its side is that its not facing the right direction to redirect air downward. Position them about 60 to 90 cm above your ear, facing slightly downward. You probably can put it on its side but only one way. Similarly to the shape, you may also want to consider the size. Many manufacturers recommend placing the driver on the "Wall Plate" (wall directly behind the driver) or the floor. Hello, as the subwoofer is wireless it is possible to place it say under a bed providing their is enough clearance and gap between the speaker face and bottom of the bed,you Will also need to have a power point close by as well. I'm not sure these info are going to help you and i'd like to suggest some different configuration before you buy the equipment. What to Do if You Cant Place Your Subwoofer on Its Side, Best Home Theater Room Sizes and Dimensions, Four Ways to Mount a TV on a Brick Wall without Drilling. To answer the question of whether its OK to put a subwoofer on its side, you have to first understand a few basic concepts about subwoofers. I hope that's help.. Copyright 1995-2022 Samsung. This means that if you remove the feet, you are creating multiple small ports. You must ensure your subwoofer is placed correctly for the best possible sound. To our ears, the bass is coming from all around us because it is. To learn more about how and for what purposes Amazon uses personal information (such as Amazon Store order history), please visit our Privacy Notice. Youve probably heard that before, but what does it mean? Could probably go on its side but cannot be placed on its back as input cable plugs in there and there is a sound hole at the back. In the end, remember that the sound that comes from your subwoofer interacts with your room before you can hear it. However, if your subwoofer isnt a perfect cube, it might not fit where you want it to go. In my experience, as an audio engineer and a DJ, the most common place you find subwoofers are on the stage, on speaker stands, and occasionally on a table but never on its side. Yes I think you could put it on its side and probably under the bed too, I have mine just sat upright behind the TV stand, as long as you can plug it in to the mains I see no reason why not. If youve followed our crossover recommendations (80Hz regardless of speaker size), the shortest sound wave it creates is around 14 feet long. So, why do some subs have one front-facing driver, others have one down-firing driver, and still others with multiple drivers? Lower Cost: It can be much less expensive to stack multiple subwoofers upon each other to create a longer, more massive cabinet than to build a traditional subwoofer box. Many subwoofers are designed like bookshelf speakers and have all the electronics on one side. Anway, with many subwoofers, placing them on their side is not an option. Place these speakers in front of your listening position, facing inwards (about 45) toward you. However, this can put a lot of stress on the subwoofer.
But you also may not get the best sound along the center of a wall. To know if its OK to put a subwoofer on its side, you have to know the space requirements recommended by the manufacturer, like any other component that is housed in a cabinet. The frequency used to vibrate the floor would not work well for air and would produce a warped sound. In a cube subwoofer, changing orientation does not affect weight distribution. Even better, sound experts can give your system the upgrade it needs. And because manufacturers build and sell loads of subwoofers, its easier than ever to obtain components for your next project. If you have a front-firing sub, consider these other things before putting it on its side. If you are wondering whether you can place your subwoofer on its side, the answer is yes, you can. Today, with the advances in technology, anyone can create an impressive, realistic sound experience using the equipment they already own. By continuing to use our site you are agreeing to our. Lets discuss. Should be fine. Even if you have enough space to put it up or on the side, consider how the position might affect the design and if that can change the sound you get. Lets say its 12". The file size is too big. If you purchase one that comes without mounting hardware, but with a slot for connecting a speaker wire, then you may be able to determine how to place it based on the wire placement. The waves are so long and so big that they essentially have to fill the room before you can hear them. If you choose to lay them on their side, youll need to probably sacrifice a couple of towels to put under it. On the other hand, looking for inventive ways to position subwoofers in your home can give your space a more creative and unique look.
If the platform is shaky, it not only affects the sound of the music but might damage your subwoofer as well. Regardless of the model, laying a subwoofer on its side can cause excess vibration and sound at higher volume levels. I don't know of this particular sub but as long as this subwoofer doesn't use a passive radiator or you aren't blocking a port then you should be fine placing it on it's side. The answer to the original question informs the rest. Can the subwoofer be placed on it's side under a bed or will that block any important openings etc? Some subwoofers are perfect cubes, so it wont matter if you put them on the side or stand them upright. This week, it is about subwoofer orientation. The right way to place your speaker on its side is to mount it on a speaker stand or put it on top of a box. Testing Your Home Theater Subwoofer - Is It Working?
I suspect if you put the fabric side down, you may impact the sound. Before you decide if you want or need to put a subwoofer on its side, consider where you should place it in the room. Come join the discussion about home audio/video, TVs, projectors, screens, receivers, speakers, projects, DIYs, product reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! Think about the design of your subwoofer before placing it on its side. Weve addressed this before, but the quick solution is to use one of the subwoofer platforms that are on the market. FYI - The sub-woofer speaker is located at one of the large side covered with a thin material and i'd keep this side up (The red/blue LED to show blue-tooth will be on the side in contact with the floor - opposite side of speaker). Perhaps your desk is in a tight space, and you need to put the subwoofer on its side to get it close to the speakers. That way, you can get the best sound quality without damaging your gear. Help us to make recommendations for you by telling us what you like. This works nicely for box subs, but something like the SVS cylinders create more of an issue. Line Array: Stacking the subwoofers can create the capability of a line array subwoofer. In some cases, you may notice excessive vibration when you place your sub on its side. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. It is like setting a trap for it to fall over. This can draw attention to the fact that the sub is on its side. Wooing the crowd with your automotive sound system was once reserved for the mechanic wizards who work on professional cars for a living. The shape will also determine whether it will be steady on its side. We cant tell you how many times weve been asked about subwoofer orientation. An excellent example of a down-firing subwoofer is the REL Acoustics T/5i Subwoofer. This method will ensure that you get the lowest bass response possible, and will also help you to avoid damaging your subwoofer or your floor from the strong vibrations. Your email address will not be published. Hi, I'm Jason. Hope this helps.
Only front-firing subwoofers can be placed on their side. If I could place the subwoofer on its side that would open up some options for me in terms of where I could potentially place the subwoofer. For example, if you have a rectangular one and your shelf space is half its height, it may not be stable on its side.