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Subwoofers - Front Firing or Down Firing - Which Sounds Best?

Any advantage to woofer cone facing toward listener as opposed to firing down to the floor? Thinking of upgrading my 20 year old B&W ASW-650 sub to get that oh-so-pleasing belly message which lives in the 20-ish Hz range (very rare I know). SVS has the "tube" subwoofer (PC-2000) at a reasonable price. Just wondering if the floor-firing model would disappoint? Wouldn't want the hassle of returning if it did. Any opinions? Current users? Thanks. 
128x128dweller
gdnrbob
4,450 posts
 
@dweller .
I would suggest the new Vandy 3 subs. Though not inexpensive, it should give you the ability to get those 20-ish frequencies, as well as integrating seamlessly with your speakers with the integrated equalizer. Though, you do need to buy the high pass filter.
And, Vandy subs are built like tanks, so they should last 20 years, at well.

Bob 
lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,569 posts
 
OP,

You didn’t say anything about your room dimensions. The 200 watts, single sub probably inadequate (don’t think you want to rattle your windows...lol). I would recommend adding a second sub to improve bass response.

I am using a pair of REL’s (500w) in a room 30”w x 15”d, they produce very musical bass and complement my main speakers fabulously.
erik_squires
16,186 posts
 
Yes, I actually bother to read such drivel. Otherwise, how you gonna know its drivel? We read him so you don't have to!

Knowing I have the power to make @millercarbon 's knee jerk whenever I want to, as often as I want to is what keeps me going.  I feel like I can bypass his frontal lobes and directly stimulate his knee-jerk response long before he has the opportunity to process anything consciously is a little overwhelming.  I love it.
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,846 posts
 

Rythmic Audio used to offer a down-firing sub. Designer Peter Ding found it to be inferior to all his front-firing models, and discontinued it.

In talking about the wavelength of bass frequencies, remember: the lowpass x/o filters are not brickwall. If you are using a 1st order filter at 80Hz, the sub is down only 3dB at that frequency, and 6dB at 160 Hz. That is clearly audible, and will effect one's perception of the sub. The steeper the filter and lower the x/o frequency, the less will you hear the sub above the low bass.

dweller's avatar
dweller OP
3,791 posts
 
I'm pretty sure a single 15-inch SW will give me what I want. But being retired, cost is a consideration. In my smallish (12 X 13) room, I could use the tube SVS as a plant stand and it doesn't take up much room (as well as being affordable). Thanks to all for the replies! 
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