Should ask what sub are you using and what speakers? Also consider using white noise and a sound meter ( app on smartphone) to get an idea of what is going on in regards to sub filling in lowest octave at your listening location smoothly. Some speaker sub combos may not be matched well to accomplish that.
Placement of Single Subwoofer Affecting Sound of Main Speakers
Due to a recent furniture arrangement in the room, the subwoofer that was sitting dormant for several years had been reluctantly reinstated in the main system. I have been experimenting with the placement of the sub in the room. Due to limited placement options, the sub can only be placed in these 3 spots ;
1. In one corner of the room, very close to the side and rear wall (1 or 2 inches from the walls)
2. Just behind the left speaker, 5 inches from the rear wall
3. In between the speakers but very close to the left speaker, not at the centre of speakers.
To cut to the chase, I’ve briefly tried all options. The 1st option with the sub placed in the corner of the room gave the worst result. Now, the interesting part. Even though the sub was turned off, the sound quality of the system degraded. It appears that the physical presence of the box in the corner of the room made the sound worse.
I am currently settled with the 2nd option and this configuration sounds much better than the 1st option irrespective of the sub powered up or down.
The sub is currently on spikes as I’m still waiting for some Nobsound springs to arrive before I can plonk the sub on these.
I’ll be trying the 3rd option again although the WAF is the worst on this one.
Has anyone here experienced a worse sound quality from the system with the placement of the sub in the room? A sub that’s switched off and not working.
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Yes, either one must be true. Somehow any furniture in the room will affect the sound, especially things placed very close to the speakers. I tried placing a 2nd set of speakers just beside the main speakers in an attempt to run 2 pairs of speakers in the system. I hoped it would work but the sound was ruined. In the end only a pair of speaker can remain in the room. |
The sub is a PMC TLE1 (dual 6.5" woofer, transmission line) and the speakers are Marten Duke 2. Will try the more advanced set up method you brought up sometime. At the meantime, using the ears will do it for me. I have a Radioshack SPL meter though. |
The previously mentioned "crawl" method does have some credibility. Also the "swarm" setup may be the optimum option for using subs but since you are limited to only using a single sub that option is out. Sub integration into any system/setup is one of the most challenging for audio/HT listening, A sub can offer so much enhancement to any system if done right. I have read MANY posts since I once faced the same challenge. After reading about a lot of different scenarios people on this forum several times I have responded with a link that explains almost everything about subs. It's lengthy and quite technical bit if you look through the info you may find something that helps...... http://www.soundoctor.com/whitepapers/subs.htm
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If you only have three (?) locations for the sub that "work" (WAF at work here?) but none of them really work, get rid of the sub unless you're willing to find the actual optimum position for the sub sonically. Placement in the wrong position in the room can result in bass suck-out and a non-integrated sound that is worse than no sub. |
- 31 posts total