Should I change where my subwoofer currently is?

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Should I change where my subwoofer currently is?

Postby 5COPY » 01 Jul 2012 10:44

I know bass can be trapped in corners. And since I do not have any of that fancy stuff to put on the walls. I need to know if my subwoofer is in a place where the bass can get trapped in corner.


Or if you would suggest me to put it a different place?

http://i.imgur.com/M19Kg.jpg < Setup


I had slightly more bass at my old setup but that I am pretty sure because I were so stupid that I had it in a corner. And now I am getting slightly less. I'm just not sure where to put it or do I really need to put stuff on teh walls and in teh corners?
I don't have time for fancy signatures.


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Re: Should I change where my subwoofer currently is?

Postby the4thImpulse » 01 Jul 2012 11:26

I don't really have any advice myself but here is a great site that may help, there is a lot of imformation there and most will not be too useful but I suggest taking a look at it.

It also not a simple as 'putting stuff on walls' if you don't do it right you will only make it worse. I am looking into homemade acoustic treating and its going to cost me ~$250 to do a room with paneling at the points of first refelection and bass traps in the four corners
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Re: Should I change where my subwoofer currently is?

Postby Quix » 01 Jul 2012 11:37

I remember reading that carpet absorbs a lot of the sound, and that a down-firing subwoofer should be placed on a wooden surface to amplify the sound. You should try putting it on the same platform as your PC.
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Re: Should I change where my subwoofer currently is?

Postby the4thImpulse » 01 Jul 2012 11:58

quix117 wrote:I remember reading that carpet absorbs a lot of the sound, and that a down-firing subwoofer should be placed on a wooden surface to amplify the sound. You should try putting it on the same platform as your PC.

Carpet is not a great absorber of sound (unless its a couple of inches thick), and I would keep the sub in the ground so it doesn't rattle your desk and create unnecassary noise.
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Re: Should I change where my subwoofer currently is?

Postby 5COPY » 01 Jul 2012 12:48

I got told by a friend I should put the subwoofer on side because it's downfiring but I'm not sure. I like feeling the bass under my feet.
I don't have time for fancy signatures.


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Re: Should I change where my subwoofer currently is?

Postby vladnuke » 01 Jul 2012 14:43

Man, I wish I had a full on sound system. All I got are my Shure SRH840 and a couple of yamaha 45w speakers, but they're pretty cool too.
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Re: Should I change where my subwoofer currently is?

Postby natsukashi » 01 Jul 2012 15:00

Hey, you're a master hikkikomori! You've even blocked the door so you can't leave your room! I admire your dedication!
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Re: Should I change where my subwoofer currently is?

Postby 5COPY » 01 Jul 2012 15:13

natsukashi wrote:Hey, you're a master hikkikomori! You've even blocked the door so you can't leave your room! I admire your dedication!

Just wat

Oh yeah my room have 2 doors and and the other one have no purpose
I don't have time for fancy signatures.


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Re: Should I change where my subwoofer currently is?

Postby vladnuke » 01 Jul 2012 15:20

natsukashi wrote:Hey, you're a master hikkikomori! You've even blocked the door so you can't leave your room! I admire your dedication!

I googled that and lol'd.
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Re: Should I change where my subwoofer currently is?

Postby Captain Ironhelm » 03 Jul 2012 22:53

When I had surround sound on my desktop, I put the subwoofer in front of myself on top of the computer case or behind the monitor (partially because that's where it fit).

Basically, the bass isn't as important as the other speakers since low frequency noises are harder to distinguish where they are coming from. I prefer the bass to be in front of me as it makes the bass feel fuller and consistent.

I don't know any reason why I'd put it on the side unless there was no way to get it centered.
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Re: Should I change where my subwoofer currently is?

Postby Kromium » 03 Jul 2012 23:47

I would start by moving your speakers facing into the slant of your room... if you had a bigger room then I would use the 38% rule but judging by the size of your room, you may need the space for your keyboards. As far as your sub goes I would use pink noise... or your favorite song with good bass... Trentmoller being an example. Now play your subwoofer pretty loud (it can be anywhere in the room) and get down on all fours... find the spot where bass sounds "tightest" that is the place where you will put your subwoofer. If you've worn headphones with a flat frequency response then you should know what "tight" bass sounds like.

Rugs act as good sounds absorbers so place your subwoofer under there as it is down firing.
If you have the intent to get bigger speakers move to a bigger room... sounds will build better there and there will be less reflections.
Make some sound absorbing panels if you have the cash... making it is cheaper then buying them online. I plan to make 12 panels for under 200 dollars... just visit your local lowes for parts. Safe n' sound from Roxul has the same absorbing efficiency as fiber glass like Owen Corning 703 and its almost half as cheap.

If you need more help go to Gearslutz... they got professionals in building studios and home theaters.
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Re: Should I change where my subwoofer currently is?

Postby Jastrian » 05 Jul 2012 11:42

You will get corner loading if the subwoofer is in a corner against the wall. You gain db from doing this although it may not be the best sounding. It's not necessarily a bad thing though. Reflections are not really as noticeable with bass. I have a custom built 15 inch with a 6cu ft box but I never use that to make music. I use my mackie mr8 mk2's which have enough low end extension or my beyerdynamics.
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Re: Should I change where my subwoofer currently is?

Postby the4thImpulse » 05 Jul 2012 12:19

Jastrian wrote:You will get corner loading if the subwoofer is in a corner against the wall. You gain db from doing this although it may not be the best sounding. It's not necessarily a bad thing though. Reflections are not really as noticeable with bass. I have a custom built 15 inch with a 6cu ft box but I never use that to make music. I use my mackie mr8 mk2's which have enough low end extension or my beyerdynamics.

It really is a bad thing as everyones room has a unique 'tuning', certin frequencies will be exagerated as they bouce off the walls. Walls will double it and a corner will triple the volume of those frequencies which wil create an uneven sound.
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Re: Should I change where my subwoofer currently is?

Postby Kromium » 07 Jul 2012 18:16

It really is a bad thing as everyones room has a unique 'tuning', certin frequencies will be exagerated as they bouce off the walls. Walls will double it and a corner will triple the volume of those frequencies which wil create an uneven sound.


Yeah... its just a hifi thing that some people do to squeeze out 3-6 db's more bass from their system. I personally would not recommend it for making music as it puts in more artifacts from reflections.
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Re: Should I change where my subwoofer currently is?

Postby Kromium » 07 Jul 2012 18:19

Also proper placement is essential for speakers... just reiterating what I said above because all my mixes sounded wrong until I put my desk in the right position in my room.
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