Physics of downward firing woofers

How about upward - firing woofer ?

Advantages and did advantages.... Personally, it is rare that a down firing woofer is as accurate as a front firing.  It isn't impossible, but the floor makes an effect on the bass.  The gap between the floor and woofer can act as a slot load to a ported cabinet,  giving a bass increase at given frequencies.  Kinda like adding another port. If the woofer is too close to the floor as the bass rebounds, it can cause some cancellation.... So Getting a down firing right is tougher than a front firing.  Next,  a down firing woofer does offer some cone protection if it were ever needed. Down firing ports are a very different scenario and really are a different conversation,  they are not affected by the same problems of a down firing woofer. 

inna - 

Usually done for omni or semi-omni directional designs, like Linkwitz LX Mini

http://www.linkwitzlab.com/LXmini/Introduction.htm

Floor bounce is the wrong word for bass, but interference is a real thing. Anytime you see a woofer far from the midrange and near the floor you are seeing designers think this is important.   Perhaps this is more related to having an even boundary re-inforcement? 

Best,

E

Downfiring is probably not a very good idea if you have carpeted floor. Unless I am terribly wrong.

Very timely topic for me!

Theories aside, I am interested in actual experiences of others comparing down and front firing subs in practice.

My experiences with front firing bass drivers (conventional box speakers) versus downward firing (as is the case in OHM Walsh speakers) is that floor interactions are perhaps the biggest issue to address first in either case to get bass under control. Its usually a yuge problem with suspended plywood floors found in upper levels of most homes. Not a problem with solid concrete foundations found at floor level in most homes.

I only have experience with front firing subs to-date and same problem there.

Have been debating getting a new sub and not sure about whether to get front versus down firing. There are very good quality subs of both persuasions out there it seems.