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Is Subwoofer Elevation a Viable Option?

I know this topic has had various discussions over the years, but despite a review of past comments, I could not get a definitive answer on its relative advantages and disadvantages. 

I run three subwoofers in my two channel system and am very pleased with the results, but some questions keep nagging me.

Because the sub is typically on the floor, along with all the furniture in the room, wouldn't low frequency waves be blocked/diffused a lot. Wouldn't the sound from a subwoofer benefit from an unencumbered dispersion of energy into the room?

Coaxial driver speakers have their "woofer" at ear height without causing issues. Why not ear height subwoofers?

Is it just because subs are large, heavy and require a power cable or are there sonic reasons for keeping subwoofers on the floor?

128x128tony1954
clio09
3,360 posts
 

In a multi sub system Earl Geddes recommended placement of one of the subs so that it is closer to the ceiling than the floor. The point made regarding not doing this with REL subs should be considered, but it looks like you have an SVS sub as well and maybe you could try getting that up off the floor and hear how it sounds.

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tony1954 OP
1,080 posts
 

@soix 

So, why do we even want the bass to be "reinforced"?

If the low frequencies aren't reinforced in a uniform way, that might be of some benefit, but I very much doubt that's the case. Even if it does, why not just increase the loudness instead adding room boom?

Maybe if we have less reinforcing we can save some dollars on bass traps.

 

tony1954's avatar
tony1954 OP
1,080 posts
 

@clio09 

REL is all aboard with their line arrays. Unfortunately my REL's have a bottom loaded radiator. Although, maybe the radiator would function the same for the most part?

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tony1954 OP
1,080 posts
 

@artemus_5 

Yes, the REL's feet are the proper height, but the sub wouldn't be floating or have a hole under it. It would be on a table, plinth or pedestal so it would still radiate the same way. Just not at floor height.

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tony1954 OP
1,080 posts
 

@atmasphere 

How would furniture be "acoustically transparent" to low frequencies?

Furniture is always included as a way of mitigating bass frequencies and serves the same purpose as a bass trap. 

When I built my acoustic panels, they required the cloth wrapping fabric to be acoustically transparent. If you couldn't see light through it or breath through easily, then it wasn't considered to be transparent, so I am guessed a sofa or a sideboard wouldn't be either.

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