[coatie]

I am completing my HT and laying out my speakers. Fronts, center and surrounds are a given. My question concerns where I can locate my sub. My room is 15' x 30'. I am using a Sony HS10 projector and will have my seating between 12' and 14' from the screen. My equipment will be located in a room off to the side with controls via infrared signals and rf.


Can I located my sub at the 12' - 14' distance just outside the side room so the sound is coming from the side and not from the front? Isn't the sub non-directional sound? Any thoughts or input is appreciated.

 

[Mit07]

The preferred position is in front just inside the main speaker. Other locations may work well - you should experiement if you can't use the preferred location. Be sure to calibrate with an SPL meter.

 

[errivera]

We would hope that you are crossing over the subwoofer at a low enough frequency so that the sound emitted by it is non-directional. This would be at about 50Hz or below. Remember, the job of a subwoofer is to compliment the bass reproduced by your main speakers. If your main speakers are somewhat small however, then your crossover frequency will be much higher (possibly 80-120Hz depending on your speakers) and placement will then be more limited.


From an acoustical standpoint, placing a subwoofer in a room is not as simple as it may appear. Every room has its own acoustical signature. This will create natural resonances (frequencies that are reenforced by the room), and nulls (frequencies that cancel one another due to the room dimensions.


It is possible to make the overall bass response much worse when adding a subwoofer if it is not integrated properly. The topic of mating subwoofers is too long to cover in this short space however, I would recommend searching for some of the excellent articles written about this topic online.


I will say though, that most subwoofer(s) placement (being crossed over at a frequency of 50Hz or below) usually occupies the first one third of the listening environment. This gives latitude in obtaining smooth frequency response. If on the other hand your main speakers are somewhat small or do not have 'deep' bass, then it is recommended to place the speakers in front of the room. Usually, the sub(s) will sit on either side of the main speakers or directly behind them. This is done to maintain the best phase response possible.


I hope I have not confused you or even worse thrown a wrench in your home theater plans, it was not my intention. I just want to give you the most accurate information so you can obtain the best possible sound from your system. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.


Good luck

 

[coatie]

Quote:

Originally posted by errivera We would hope that you are crossing over the subwoofer at a low enough frequency so that the sound emitted by it is non-directional. This would be at about 50Hz or below. Remember, the job of a subwoofer is to compliment the bass reproduced by your main speakers. If your main speakers are somewhat small however, then your crossover frequency will be much higher (possibly 80-120Hz depending on your speakers) and placement will then be more limited. From an acoustical standpoint, placing a subwoofer in a room is not as simple as it may appear. Every room has its own acoustical signature. This will create natural resonances (frequencies that are reenforced by the room), and nulls (frequencies that cancel one another due to the room dimensions. It is possible to make the overall bass response much worse when adding a subwoofer if it is not integrated properly. The topic of mating subwoofers is too long to cover in this short space however, I would recommend searching for some of the excellent articles written about this topic online. I will say though, that most subwoofer(s) placement (being crossed over at a frequency of 50Hz or below) usually occupies the first one third of the listening environment. This gives latitude in obtaining smooth frequency response. If on the other hand your main speakers are somewhat small or do not have 'deep' bass, then it is recommended to place the speakers in front of the room. Usually, the sub(s) will sit on either side of the main speakers or directly behind them. This is done to maintain the best phase response possible. I hope I have not confused you or even worse thrown a wrench in your home theater plans, it was not my intention. I just want to give you the most accurate information so you can obtain the best possible sound from your system. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Good luck

Thanks for your response. I have lot's of flexibility in my HT, it is simply a matter of buying a subwoofer cable long enough to get it to the place I need it. I will have a 6' high by 8' wide 16:9 screen in the front of the room. With 8' ceilings, I will be mounting my center speaker above the screen and my front speakers just off the side ( I will have about 3 1/2' on each side of the screen for the speakers. I currently have some older Sony front speakers ( tower type 120w ) that I will have to use initially ( spent my money this year on room, projector, etc ). I will eventually upgrade all my audio equipment ( using a Sony 935 receiver at this time ). Would the ideal location be just up the left or right side from the center speakers? This would keep it in the front 1/3 of the room and about 6' or so from the front of the seating area. How far should I try to stay from the front speakers?


Thanks ahead for your input.

 

[djlackey5]

You really should be fine with the sub almost anywhere in the front 1/3 of the room. I have bookshelf speakers for fronts at about 4 feet high, and my sub directly under the left front speaker (on the floor.....well actually in a cabinet that I open up when using the system, but the sub is at floor level). With eyes closed, you cannot locate the sub.

 

[errivera]

I would recommend looking at the Avia Sub Setup section. They have a decent set of test tones that will help you set the sub correctly. Remember, you want to achieve the smoothest (flatest) frequency response as possible, especially in the low end.


Unfortunately, you will have to experiment with placement. I would start by measuring and plotting the response of your room on graph paper (or an Excel worksheet) using the Radio Shack SPL meter at various locations within the room. Then, integrate the main speakers and remeasure until you achieve a smooth response. This is time consuming but inexpensive and pretty effective.


You can also purchase a spectrum analyzer (Behringer has the DEQ2496 EQ which has an RTA - real time analyzer - with a resolution of 61 bands for the audio spectrum) and see the 'frequency response of your room' at a glance. This obvously would be quicker, but a little more expensive.


Bass is hard to get right but when you take the time and put in the effort, the rewards are really nice tight, extended bass that is really pleasing and not overbearing.


Regards

 

[coatie]

Thanks....I have the Avia and will do some testing once I get the equipment in the room....Thanks.