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 

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?

@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.

@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.

" am very pleased with the results, but some questions keep nagging me."

Audio Nervosa alive and well in 2025.

Instead, sit back and enjoy the music.