I purchased a 200Watt Sony SA-W3000 sub today during the BestBuy black friday deal -> http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8291127&st=SA-W3000&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1172277278160

I didn't realize how BIG things thing was until I saw the box, but I purchased anyway. Now that I'm trying to set it up in my room, I don't really have any space for it except on my audio rack all the way at the bottom. BUT it will only fit if I place it on its side.

I read the manual that came with it, and it stated 'always put your subwoofer vertically' but it seemed like a random statement pasted in there and no real *Warning* type messages next to it. Do subs really need to be place up-right or will this thing work just fine while on its side?

Thanks for your help!

Other than not knowing what Motion Feedback Technology is referring to or how it works, I see nothing that would make this work any differently on its side. If MFT is some kind of accelerometer (or other mechanical device), then there may be a problem if it is not in the correct orientation. I don't find a rear view, but I assume the port is in the back. Make sure you have at least as much clearance in the back as the width of the port.

And you may need to do something to insulate it (vibrationally) from the audio rack -- you may also have to put some sort of vibration absorbing feet under your DVD/CD player, as it would be the most sensitive to transferred vibations fom the sub.

Other than not knowing what Motion Feedback Technology is referring to or how it works, I see nothing that would make this work any differently on its side. If MFT is some kind of accelerometer (or other mechanical device), then there may be a problem if it is not in the correct orientation. I don't find a rear view, but I assume the port is in the back. Make sure you have at least as much clearance in the back as the width of the port.
The cooling port is located at the bottom right hand corner of the woofer, and when I put it sideways (on its right side), it now has a nice outlet to the back of my rack, with no obstruction. This is the rack that I use
http://www.surroundsolutions.com/contactcommerce/images/items/Tech-Craft-WF45-m.jpg
And you may need to do something to insulate it (vibrationally) from the audio rack -- you may also have to put some sort of vibration absorbing feet under your DVD/CD player, as it would be the most sensitive to transferred vibations fom the sub.

hmm good call. Do you think vibrations transmit through wood as they would through metal, or are they not as severe? I have a wooden rack, and in the picture above, my items are placed as follows:

Top: Receiver
2nd: VCR (Yep I still have one :D)
3rd: PS3
4th: PS2
Bottom: Woofer

The cooling port is located at the bottom right hand corner of the woofer, and when I put it sideways (on its right side), it now has a nice outlet to the back of my rack, with no obstruction.That is not a cooling port. The port on a bass reflex sub woofer produces most of the audible sound at the subs tuning point.

That is not a cooling port. The port on a bass reflex sub woofer produces most of the audible sound at the subs tuning point.

aah, sorry about that. I tried looking for a detailed spec sheet that might show a diagram of its innards, but could not. So I have no clue of the placement of the port. Although, the slim design of my rack's 'backbone' does leave pretty ample open space down at the bottom, so I don't think there will be a problem.

Idz, wood and metal will both transfer enough vibration to your other equipment to potentially be a problem -- but equipment varies in its suseptability to 'microphonics'. Just be aware that you MAY have to put some padding between the sub and the stand base, and possibly under the feet of your optical drives, which are the most likely to be affected by strong vibrations from the sub.

Idz, wood and metal will both transfer enough vibration to your other equipment to potentially be a problem -- but equipment varies in its suseptability to 'microphonics'. Just be aware that you MAY have to put some padding between the sub and the stand base, and possibly under the feet of your optical drives, which are the most likely to be affected by strong vibrations from the sub.

aah, good to know. I gave it a test run, and so far so good. I've used my PS3 with the sub for about 5-7 hours total now, and no problems thus far. I don't have it cranked very high, but it does make the ground vibrate.

Right now I only installed those tiny stick-on rubber pads that came with the sub to prevent it from sliding around.

I can't figure out the difference between Normal & Reverse mode... I tried flipping the switch and there was no noticeable audio changes.

I can't figure out the difference between Normal & Reverse mode... I tried flipping the switch and there was no noticeable audio changes.

That's the phase switch,usually Normal is best.

i too bought 2 of these on black friday for $99 each. i personally don't think you can beat the sound you get from 2 of these for $200.

i too bought 2 of these on black friday for $99 each. i personally don't think you can beat the sound you get from 2 of these for $200.

Very nice! How did you set yours up? I'm not that familiar with the settings, and so far I have my frequency max set to around 185, and my level is probably less than half-way. I'm trying to figure out if I hear bass, and I think I do, but not sure :D

Very nice! How did you set yours up? I'm not that familiar with the settings, and so far I have my frequency max set to around 185, and my level is probably less than half-way. I'm trying to figure out if I hear bass, and I think I do, but not sure :D
as you've noticed, there is an RCA port to connect a second subwoofer to the SAW-3000. I've got 1 at the front of the theater, but not necessarily in the corner. The 2nd is in the back near the seating area, but again not in a corner. I'm still working on the exact settings for the subs. I'll let you know what i find sounds best, although it may not be best for you.

as you've noticed, there is an RCA port to connect a second subwoofer to the SAW-3000. I've got 1 at the front of the theater, but not necessarily in the corner. The 2nd is in the back near the seating area, but again not in a corner. I'm still working on the exact settings for the subs. I'll let you know what i find sounds best, although it may not be best for you.

ok cool. I'm just looking for general direction and will go from there. Did you notice that the sub is advertised as 200 watts, but the sticker on the sub itself states 180? Does that just mean it's a 200 watt peak powered sub?

hadn't noticed that. interesting.