If your main speaker is just a floor standing system, you’re probably wondering whether a subwoofer is necessary.
Most people just buy floor standing speakers without thinking about whether or not they need a sub. Or, they buy a sub along with speakers but aren’t sure whether it’s necessary. We’ll discuss some reasons you might want a sub and when you might not.
Then we’ll show you how to determine if a sub is necessary. To ensure your speaker setup has sufficiently good bass, you will need to add a subwoofer. But is adding a subwoofer really necessary?
Do You Need a Subwoofer for Surround Sound?
The answer to this question depends on a few factors. First, it is important to consider the type of surround sound system you are using.
If you are using a Dolby Atmos system, then you will need a subwoofer in order to create the full effect of the surround sound. Secondly, it is important to consider the size of your room. If you have a large room, then a subwoofer will help to fill it with sound.
Do I Need a Subwoofer With Floor Standing Speakers?
If you are looking to add a subwoofer to your floor standing speakers, it is not necessary, but it will certainly add value.
The added bass response from a subwoofer will improve the overall sound quality of your system and fill out the low end frequencies that are typically lacking in most floor standing speakers.
While it is not required, if you have the budget for it, adding a subwoofer to your floor standing speaker system is definitely worth considering.
What is a subwoofer and how does it differ from floor standing speakers?
Subwoofers are also called bass bins, and while they’re usually found beneath a loudspeaker, they can also be placed elsewhere in your living room if floor space is an issue.
What are a floor standing speakers?
Like regular floor standing speakers, subwoofers produce a range of sound frequencies. The main difference lies in how the two sets of frequencies are directed.
Floor standing speakers have smaller, flat speakers that are directed towards an audience standing right in front of them.
For this reason, they are the best choice if you want to stream audio to a group of listeners. If you have a large room in which you want to produce audio, floor standing speakers are the most efficient way of doing so.
What is a subwoofer?
Subwoofers, on the other hand, focus on producing low frequencies so that smaller pieces of audio known as mid range frequencies can be amplified.
Subwoofers are typically used in large rooms in which you want to amplify bass frequencies.
As a result, they are less popular in homes because most homes are not designed to create a large amount of bass.
Most people who choose a subwoofer focus on producing audio for parties, large gatherings, and events that require large amounts of low frequencies.
Subwoofers can generate a significant amount of bass, but you need to keep in mind that bass sounds tend to travel long distances – which means that a subwoofer can be very loud.
Why would you need a subwoofer?
If you still aren’t convinced you need subwoofers, then consider the quality settings for your home theater system equipment.
The majority of home audio buffs, whether they’re looking to set up their home movie theater or simply replace their TV speakers with a much better system, will purchase a general AV receiver that is capable of playing music, movies, or even video game soundtracks, all from some interface or app that sits on their phone.
And no matter what, this will all be done through a set of speakers called floor standing speakers, of which there are two different types.
The first, and most affordable option, is the sealed box speaker. These speakers house an internal magnet, energy storage, and drivers who all work in unison to produce sound waves that are picked up by the surfaces of your ceiling, walls, and floor.
In a sealed box design, drivers are held in a coffin-shaped structure that is sealed on all sides.
To maximize efficiency and sound quality, an amplifier and speaker cloth are positioned within the speakers which act as the enclosure. When a sufficient amount of air pressure builds up, the speakers vibrate and produce a sound.
How much should I spend on a subwoofer and where should I place it?
Subwoofers may be small, but they are the most important part of a home audio system. They come in a range of sizes and shapes, but the selection is even larger.
When you decide to purchase a subwoofer, you should spend around $500.00 to $1,500.00, depending on what you’re buying. Many people purchase the subwoofer first, but you should start with your speakers.
Most floor standing speakers will by themselves, deliver sound, but you will need to add a subwoofer to get the most out of your speakers.
If you don’t already have a subwoofer, you can place it anywhere in the room. But to get the best sound quality, it should be in the corner, halfway between the speakers and the listening position.
It is also important to place your subwoofer along a wall that faces away from a wall, window, or other acoustic barriers.
How to choose the right subwoofer for your needs?
It is important to make the right choice when buying a subwoofer, because the wrong choice can mean the difference between having a great experience or having a very bad one out of the experience.
There are a lot of factors that will determine whether or not you need a subwoofer, but there are also a lot of misconceptions floating around, which makes it hard for anyone to make a good decision.
The first question you should ask yourself is whether or not you need a subwoofer at all. It’s not uncommon for people to go with floor standing speakers without ever thinking about whether or not a subwoofer is needed.
The truth is that the vast majority of people who do not need a subwoofer may not even need a subwoofer.
The common belief is that a subwoofer is only needed when the bass is inadequate. This is a common misconception, because there are times when the bass is adequate without a subwoofer.
However, there are also times when the bass is inadequate without one. If you are looking to upgrade your home theater system or you may want to listen on the go, then you may need a subwoofer even if you don’t think you do.
If you already have floor standing speakers, then you may be wondering whether or not you need a subwoofer.
If your speakers are able to fill the entire room with bass, then it may not be necessary. However, in most situations, you probably do need a subwoofer.
Buying tips
Before you head out to the stores to buy any home appliance, be sure to do plenty of research. There are different types of home speakers on the market that are designed for different usage and price.
However, if you’re looking for a complete set of speakers for your home, a subwoofer is worth considering.
Bass response:
The bass response of a subwoofer in your home is significantly less than the stereo speakers. They’re designed to reproduce lower bass sounds.
However, these speakers produce a thud-like sound that reverberates around the entire room, which can be a problem for those who don’t like such intense sounds.
It can easily fill the room with sound. A subwoofer’s purpose is to fill the room with deep bass sounds. However, note that this bass doesn’t come through your music. The subwoofer is merely adding to the music’s power.
Wide frequency response.
A subwoofer is designed to combine with the midrange and tweeter speakers to provide a detailed sound experience.
The sub speakers at the low end of the frequency range provide a human-like sound. While you’re listening to other types of music, the speakers will add depth and sound to what you are listening to.
The subwoofers don’t work by themselves.
If you’re not planning on getting a subwoofer for your entire home, then you can save yourself the hassle. These speakers make sound, not music. You’ll need the midrange and tweeter speakers to produce the music.
Multiple functions.
A subwoofer isn’t just for listening to music. It’s also capable of playing multiple types of music in your home.
The subwoofer will work best with the midrange and tweeter speakers. The speakers then work together to produce sounds that you can listen to from one room to the next.
Conclusion:
Whether or not you need a subwoofer with your floor standing speakers depends on a few factors. If you have the extra money and are looking for the best sound quality possible, then adding a subwoofer is always a good idea.
If you’re trying to save money or don’t have a lot of space, then you can likely get away with just using floor standing speakers. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide what sounds best in your home.