The truth about subwoofers

[JoeESP9]

I received this email from Audioholics. It's quite interesting.
https://www.audioholics.com/loudspeaker-design/10-nonsense-myths

 

[djnagle]

Great article. I agree with every thing he said.

 

[totem]

The topic of subs has always been rife with misconceptions from day one.

 

[bbqjoe]

I want to get a sub or two eventually, and this article answered many of my questions that I was reluctant to start a new thread about.

 

[tomlinmgt]

That info be should be available in a sticky. It’d be a shame for it to get lost in the discussion archives, and would save a lot of us from having to regurgitate the same information over and over again to those seeking information or guidance regarding subwoofers.

 

[JoeESP9]

After constantly reading posts that claim sealed subs are better than ported, "fast" (no such thing) subs are better and the absolute drivel that using high level inputs is better when using a subwoofer, I felt I should post that link.

FWIW: AFAIK there is only one subwoofer manufacturer that advocates high level inputs. Their subs have only high level inputs.

 

[tomlinmgt]

After constantly reading posts that claim sealed subs are better than ported, "fast" (no such thing) subs are better and the absolute drivel that using high level inputs is better when using a subwoofer, I felt I should post that link.

FWIW: AFAIK there is only one subwoofer manufacturer that advocates high level inputs. Their subs have only high level inputs.

I’m guilty of the former. My experience with sealed subs has been considerably better than with ported...but then again, I’ve only tried a few different ported subs.

 

[JoeESP9]

I've tried both types. A servo sub also had a shot. I settled on a TL design. I'm aware that a TL is a type of ported speaker.

 

[spark1]

Also drivel that preamp out is always better.

 

[tomlinmgt]

I've tried both types. A servo sub also had a shot. I settled on a TL design. I'm aware that a TL is a type of ported speaker.

OB (h-frame) GR Research servo subs are the best I’ve heard to date.

 

[JoeESP9]

I'd like to hear one.

 

[E-Stat]

I'd like to hear one.

Magnepan is test driving a new product to offer near 30.7 performance in a much smaller package using an array of small dynamic drivers arrayed as a dipole for bass.

 

[JoeESP9]

Also drivel that preamp out is always better.

Directly from the Audioholics article.

10) Myth: high-level speaker connections to a subwoofer is superior. You get better integration and time alignment.
Pursuing the Truth: Just a big No! This is nonsense. A high-level (Speaker level) connection is no different than a low level (RCA or XLR) connection. The time delay in an amplifier is minuscule and adding it then adds more time delay to the amplifier in the subwoofer. Why would that be good? Amplifiers often have higher noise and distortion than preamp outputs so this could make things sound worse. However, for the most part, there is no difference. The intuition that many use to justify this improving Integration lacks logic. Integration is and always will be about the crossover, level, phase, delay, and placement. The connection you use is of little consequence. Incidentally, connecting a subwoofer high-level or speaker level, negates the bass management in the AV receiver or processor and thus you'd have to activate the internal LPF of the subwoofer. Bass management is usually best done in the digital domain on the AV processor/receiver side, not at the subwoofer itself.

 

[spark1]

Directly from the Audioholics article.

10) Myth: high-level speaker connections to a subwoofer is superior. You get better integration and time alignment.
Pursuing the Truth: Just a big No! This is nonsense. A high-level (Speaker level) connection is no different than a low level (RCA or XLR) connection. The time delay in an amplifier is minuscule and adding it then adds more time delay to the amplifier in the subwoofer. Why would that be good? Amplifiers often have higher noise and distortion than preamp outputs so this could make things sound worse. However, for the most part, there is no difference. The intuition that many use to justify this improving Integration lacks logic. Integration is and always will be about the crossover, level, phase, delay, and placement. Incidentally, connecting a subwoofer high-level or speaker level, negates the bass management in the AV receiver or processor and thus you'd have to activate the internal LPF of the subwoofer. Bass management is usually best done in the digital domain on the AV processor/receiver side, not at the subwoofer itself.

Your point? I have no problems and find no difference using either in a stereo system. In the same way you are saying that speaker level connections are not superior, it is my contention that neither are preamp connections. Both work just fine...a good thing for those without an available preamp connection.

 

[hugo454]

very interesting

 

[waggs098]

I have a question about what I don't know.

Would it be considered easier to deal with placement of a sealed sub or speaker then a ported?

To ask another way. Is a ported sub or speaker more dependent on placement than a sealed sub or speaker?

 

[F1nut]

After constantly reading posts that claim sealed subs are better than ported, "fast" (no such thing) subs are better and the absolute drivel that using high level inputs is better when using a subwoofer, I felt I should post that link.

FWIW: AFAIK there is only one subwoofer manufacturer that advocates high level inputs. Their subs have only high level inputs.

Have you ever tried both connection methods in a 2 channel only system, no AVR? I have and there is absolutely a difference. High level wins as do sealed servo subs.

 

[Grenadeslio]

Have you ever tried both connection methods in a 2 channel only system, no AVR? I have and there is absolutely a difference. High level wins as do sealed servo subs.

I've tried both in a 2 channel system and hands down line level is superior in every instance. My high end sub doesn't even offer high level inputs. It's an inferior connection and at it's price point it was assumed only separates would be used and high level connections that most receivers etc would require weren't needed.

I have both ported and sealed servo controlled, and agree on the servo being superior with "music".

 

[spark1]

I hope you are not suggesting that only "low-end" subwoofers offer speaker-level connections? This is certainly not the case.

Have you compared the same subwoofer, one to hi-level and one to lo-level? Or are you just saying that your more expensive subwoofer sounds better than your less expensive subwoofers?

 

[Grenadeslio]

I hope you are not suggesting that only "low-end" subwoofers offer speaker-level connections? This is certainly not the case.

Reading between the lines?

I suggested nothing, I stated a fact concerning my subwoofer as typed.