Subwoofer placement for a home theater, small rooms included. This video explains room modes (why bass sounds boomy in one spot and thin in another), why corners are tempting but often boomy, where to try first (the front wall, not the middle of a wall), the subwoofer crawl that finds the smoothest spot in about ten minutes, small room tips (10 inch sealed sub, keep the port clear), and when to add a second sub.
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Where do you put a subwoofer? A corner can boost bass up to 12 decibels, but it often sounds boomy. Here's a safer first spot, and the free test that finds the best one.
But why is bass so fussy? The reason is room modes. Bass waves bounce between parallel walls. In some spots they pile up and sound boomy, and in others they cancel out and sound thin. That's why one sub can sound great in one position and weak in another, without changing a single setting.
Corners are tempting. A corner can boost bass output by up to 12 decibels, which helps in a small room that needs volume. But it often sounds boomy and uneven. A safer start is along the front wall, between the center speaker and one of the main speakers. Avoid the exact middle of any wall.
Then do the subwoofer crawl. Put the sub at your listening seat and play bass heavy music or a movie scene. Crawl around the room on your hands and knees. Wherever the bass sounds smoothest and most even, that's where the sub goes. It takes about ten minutes, and it's free.
Small room? A 10 inch sealed sub is usually plenty, for rooms under 1,500 cubic feet. Sealed subs are also less fussy about placement. And don't push the sub against the back of furniture, because that can block the port and muddy the bass.
Still uneven? Two subs on opposite walls smooth the bass out for every seat. Whatever you choose, run your receiver's room correction with the sub in its final spot. Ten minutes of crawling is the cheapest upgrade you can make.
Still not sure, or want to plan your exact room? TheaterCalc.com has full build guides, complete setups with every part listed, and free calculators. If this was helpful, like and subscribe.
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