A subwoofer is one of the most important components of a multi-channel speaker system. The organization of home cinemas is rarely dispensed with without it. The classical concept of this acoustics element provides for a more detailed study of low frequencies compared to full-sized stereo systems. In addition, in some complexes, such settings muffle distorting sound factors, making playback cleaner. More importantly, a home active subwoofer has minimal impact on the physical organization of the system.
As a rule, this is a compact installation, the placement of which also does not matter in terms of perception of sound by the listener. This is due precisely to the specifics of the propagation of the signal from the low spectrum, which is equally captured regardless of the position of the source. Nevertheless, connecting and setting up the equipment still requires knowledge of some of the technical and operational nuances of the subwoofer.
What is the feature of an active subwoofer?
The main difference between active subwoofers and passive equipment is the presence of an integrated power amplifier. It is thanks to this addition that the equipment effectively removes the low-frequency load from the base amplifier. In addition, the device also has an active crossover, allowing you to filter high frequencies and simplifying the coordination of equipment with broadband speakers. Additional features are provided in some models. So, a home subwoofer, the price of which is more than 30-35 thousand rubles, is usually equipped with functions to adjust to special operating conditions. These are not premium models, but a fairly strong middle class. Representatives of this segment support the adjustment of the frequency spectrum, phase rotation, the setting of the positions of the crossover points, etc.
How to connect an active subwoofer through an amplifier?
The amplifier is most often equipped with a special RCA channel, designed to connect active subwoofers. Some models even provide several inputs, which expands the acoustic capabilities of the equipment. All that is required of the user is to prepare an RCA cable of optimal length and connect it to the corresponding connector. As for the simultaneous use of two inputs, this circuit helps to realize powerful home subwoofers connected via a cable splitter. With this method of interaction, the subwoofer will double the input sensitivity, however, such a solution will not have a noticeable effect on the sound volume.
It is also worth keeping in mind that subwoofers are usually equipped with right and left high-level channels. In the case of such acoustics, it is especially important not to lose the choice of cable. It is advisable to give preference to a copper stranded wire, which will retain the maximum signal volume. However, if you use a home active subwoofer from a budget category, then there will not be much point in increasing the performance of the connected snap-in.
Connection to output terminals
Another connection option involves the use of the main output terminals. At the same time, the speakers are connected to the high-level outputs on the subwoofer. High-frequency filters are also located in front of the terminals, providing an average of 6 dB. This configuration provides minimal acoustic pressure in the low frequency range. But, when deciding how to connect an active subwoofer through the input terminals, it is important to consider the disadvantage of such a scheme. If the described connection model is selected via direct output terminals and filters of the subwoofer itself, then it is possible to achieve optimal sound quality over the entire range with minimization of errors in the acoustic palette in the low frequency spectrum. But since the connection channels will work in parallel, the overall load on the system will be significantly increased.
Setting your home subwoofer by frequency
Basic setup of the equipment is made taking into account the characteristics of the main acoustics. In any case, you should be guided by the basic parameters in it. The installation itself can be adjusted in the parameters of the sound crossover and phase switch, which will be discussed below. But until the moment when it is possible to proceed with the direct calibration of acoustic indicators, you should check the quality of the connection and, if possible, optimize the connection nodes. Moreover, modern subwoofers for home theaters in separate lines are equipped with wireless modules. This means that such equipment does not at all require the use of traditional physical cables and is connected via radio sensors. That is, you only need to synchronize the equipment through the Bluetooth module or another wireless communication system.
Crossover adjustment
The crossover setting is designed to set the frequency spectra of the woofer separation. That is, with this knob, the subwoofers for home theaters are precisely adjusted over the entire range of signal playback. Some models even provide for the extreme importance of frequencies at which the equipment is not perceived by the human ear at all. The standard value will be the average position of 80 Hz. To depart from this value should be in those cases when there is a booming sound of bass. In such a situation, it is recommended that the regulator be turned downward.
Phase Switch Setting
The phase switch, in turn, is designed to compensate for the difference in the gaps between the main installation of the subwoofer and its components. Also, this control helps to coordinate signals from different satellites. It is recommended to set up a home active subwoofer for this parameter against the background of playing music passages with a male low voice. The user must determine during listening in which phase switching mode the vocals sound most naturally and voluminously.
Eliminating Subwoofer Acoustic Distortion
For a number of reasons, even expensive branded subwoofers do not always provide crystal-clear sound in the low range. However, such problems can be corrected in some cases. For example, a pronounced acoustic hum can be caused by dispersion in the wires of a subwoofer. This is exactly the case when the quality of the cable plays a significant role in the characteristics of the broadcast sound. You can fix this problem either by updating the wire, or by manipulating the volume control to find the best clear sound. In particular, it is recommended to connect powerful home subwoofers from the beginning through a thick RCA cable of high quality with an effective shielding function. Often, users of subwoofers also note a loud hum, which by all indications is provoked by external factors. Eliminating such flaws will help the so-called current filter in the cable.
How to choose the best subwoofer?
A high-quality system may well have average performance and, if properly connected, produce a decent acoustic palette. So, a powerful home subwoofer with a power of about 50-60 thousand rubles is more likely to cope with its tasks of processing a low frequency range within the limits allowed by the main acoustics. However, the economy-class model will provide the same effect, which in its maximum operational parameters corresponds to the capabilities of the head unit. That is, overpayment for equipment does not always pay off, as is the case with satellites.
In addition to the main characteristics of impedance, power and frequency range, you should also pay attention to the material of manufacture. Despite the popularity of plastic, the demand for a wooden active subwoofer does not fade away. Reviews note that the case made of natural material most favorably participates in the suppression of vibrations and the uniform dispersion of the working signal. True, wood loses plastic in practicality from the point of view of installation.
Conclusion
The subwoofer as such is included in the speaker system due to the desire for high-quality sound. Active installations with amplifiers are more likely to achieve this result. And provided that the correct connection is made, the active home subwoofer will fully justify the investments in it. According to music lovers using similar configurations with active subwoofers, in the same home cinemas it is possible to achieve powerful playback energy with a deeply worked out bass. The potential for system deployment in these characteristics is primarily determined by the quality of the connection. In second place are the subwoofer settings in the frequency range.