If quality sound is important to you, and you love the feeling of bass notes pumping through your body, then a subwoofer should be on your shopping list. A subwoofer is a speaker that is specifically designed to render the deep bass notes from your favourite music and movies. Most audio includes a full range of high, mid & low tones, so without a subwoofer, your regular speakers will attempt to reproduce all these ranges within their left and right stereo fields.
Another reason to consider a subwoofer in your room is to compensate for the reduced bass capacity of smaller, less intrusive speakers that are trending. By allowing the deep bass to express from a subwoofer, you know that you are not only hearing, but also feeling those low tones. You will notice that when a subwoofer is brought into the mix, your other speakers will be able to focus more efficiently, allowing clearer mid and high ranges.
Two types of subwoofers are available: Active, which contain a built-in amplifier & passive which do not, so an external amplifier would be needed. Keep in mind that passive subwoofers are uncommon today, and most retailers only stock active subwoofers because they simply plug in.
Finding the right place for your subwoofer is important. Once plugged in, play some music with good bass and try moving it around the room. Objects in your room, other speakers and the acoustics within your room will influence interference and determine the best location.
Regardless of what you like to listen to or watch, a subwoofer can really enhance your listening experience.
