Subwoofers

The subwoofer, also known as a “bass box”, is an essential addition to the main speaker system as it extends the response in the extreme low frequencies. It allows for the reproduction of the infrasonic effects in soundtracks, thus offering a more spectacular and realistic home theater experience.

Subwoofers are available in different sizes, sometimes with very large speakers and powerful amplifiers. However, the size of the subwoofer should be consistent with that of the main speakers and your room, so as not to be overwhelming. It should convey the low frequencies present in your music or movies without being too prominent.

Current subwoofers are high-performance, sometimes compact, and have a sleek design, very different from the huge and unsightly older models. They have a filter to adjust the cutoff frequency and bass level.

Some high-end models also come with an automatic calibration microphone, which optimizes the settings according to the listening room and the speakers used.

In home theater, the subwoofer is particularly important because it allows for the reproduction of the infrasonic effects of movie or video game soundtracks. In hi-fi, it can be useful for reproducing the lowest frequencies of music tracks. However, some audiophiles prefer to do without a subwoofer to prioritize a more natural reproduction of low frequencies.