The subwoofer is one of the most important components of a multi-channel speaker system. The organization of home theaters rarely does without it. The classic concept of this element of acoustics provides for a more detailed study of low frequencies compared to full-sized stereo systems. In addition, in some complexes, such settings muffle the distorting factors of the sound, making the playback clearer. 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 the sound perception of the listener. This is due precisely to the specifics of signal propagation from the low spectrum, which is equally captured regardless of the position of the source. Nevertheless, connecting and setting up equipment still requires knowledge of some 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 baseamplifier. In addition, the device also has an active crossover, allowing you to filter high frequencies and simplifying the matching of equipment with broadband acoustics. Additional features are also available on some models. So, a home subwoofer, the price of which is more than 30-35 thousand rubles, is usually equipped with adjustment functions for special operating conditions. These are not premium models, but rather a strong middle class. Representatives of this segment support the adjustment of the frequency spectrum, phase rotation, adjustment 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. The user only needs to prepare an RCA cable of the optimal length and connect it to the appropriate connector. As for the simultaneous use of two inputs, this scheme is helped by powerful home subwoofers connected via a splitter cable. With this method of interaction, the subwoofer will double the input sensitivity, but this solution will not have a noticeable effect on the surround sound.
Also keep 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 miscalculate in the choice of cable. It is advisable to give preference to a copper solid wire, whichwill keep the maximum signal volume. However, if you are using a home active subwoofer from the budget category, then there will not be much point in increasing the performance of the connected equipment.
Connecting to output terminals
Another connection option involves using the main output terminals. In this case, the speakers are connected to the high-level outputs on the subwoofer. There are also high-pass filters in front of the terminals, providing an average of 6 dB. This configuration provides minimal pressure on the acoustics 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 chosen through the direct output terminals and filters of the subwoofer itself, then you can achieve optimal sound quality over the entire range, minimizing acoustic palette errors in the low frequency spectrum. But since the connection channels will work in parallel, the total load on the system will be significantly increased.
Setting up your home subwoofer by frequency
Basic setup of the equipment is made taking into account the characteristics of the main acoustics. In any case, focusing on the main parameters is worth it. The setting itself can be adjusted in the parameters of the audio crossover and phase switch, which will be discussed below. But until the moment when it will be possible to proceed with the direct calibration of acousticindicators, 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 communication modules. This means that such equipment does not require the use of traditional physical cables at all and is connected via radio communication sensors. That is, you only need to synchronize the equipment through the Bluetooth module or other wireless communication system.
Crossover adjustment
The crossover setting is designed to expose the frequency spectra of the woofer separation. That is, with the help of this control, home theater subwoofers are finely tuned over the entire signal reproduction range. Some models even provide for the extreme value of frequencies at which the equipment is not perceived at all by the human ear. The standard value will be the middle position of 80 Hz. Deviate from this value should be in cases where there is a booming bass sound. In such a situation, it is recommended to move the regulator in the direction of lowering the frequency.
Phase switch setting
The phase switch, in turn, is designed to compensate for the difference in spacing between the subwoofer's main setup and its components. Also, this control helps to coordinate signals from different satellites. It is recommended to set up a home active subwoofer according to this parameter against the background of playing musical passages with a male low voice. The user must define inwhile listening, in which phase switching mode the vocals sound most natural and voluminous.
Subwoofer distortion elimination
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 subwoofer wires. 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 in order to find the optimal clear sound. In particular, powerful home subwoofers are recommended to be initially connected via a high-quality thick RCA cable with an effective shielding function. Often, users of subwoofers also note a loud hum, which, by all indications, is provoked by third-party factors. The so-called current filter in the cable will help eliminate such flaws.
How to choose the best subwoofer?
A quality system may well have average performance and, if properly connected, produce a decent acoustic palette. So, a home subwoofer with a strong power, the price of which is 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.limits. However, the same effect will be provided by the model from the economy class, which, in terms of its maximum operational parameters, corresponds to the capabilities of the head unit. That is, overpaying for equipment does not always justify itself, as in the case of satellites.
In addition to the basic 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 is most advantageously involved in vibration suppression and uniform dispersion of the working signal. True, wood loses to plastic in practicality in terms of installation.
Conclusion
The subwoofer as such is included in the speaker system due to the desire for high-quality sound. Active setups with amplifiers achieve this result to a greater extent. And provided that the correct connection is made, a home active subwoofer will fully justify the investment in it. According to audiophiles who use similar configurations with active subwoofers, the same home theater systems achieve powerful playback energy with deep, detailed bass. The potential of the system disclosure in these characteristics is primarily determined by the quality of the connection. In second place are the subwoofer settings in terms of frequency range.
