Setting up a subwoofer does not have to be difficult. Learn how to do it easily.
Setting up a subwoofer is not a particularly hard task, but you’d be surprised at how many seem to get it wrong. There’s nothing worse than a high-quality sound system with great audio fidelity ruined by a subwoofer that’s too boomy. It not only mumbles the bass range but also muddies up the rest of the sound.
So, how do you get your subwoofer to that perfect balance where it’s just right? Follow the steps below!
- Setup the crossover frequency
- Find the perfect gain
- Adjust the phase
Contents
1. The first step is to set your crossover frequency.
This is the point where the sound goes from playing on the speakers to playing on the subwoofer. It can vary depending on the manufacturer and specifications of your speakers. The best way to approach it is to start bringing up the crossover slowly so that it evens out the sound of the speakers. This is easier to do on regular speakers than it is for home theatre systems.
2. The next step is to find the perfect gain level.
This is the volume that your subwoofer runs at and determines how loud your bass is going to be. It’s surprisingly easy to set up but just as easy to get wrong. All you really have to do is play a song that has a balanced bass. Then, turn the gain all the way down so that you can’t hear the subwoofer anymore. After this, start turning the bass up slowly until you feel it fills up the sound nicely. If it starts to sound overwhelming, just stop and start again.
3. Finally, you want to adjust your phase to the right setting.
This is usually an optional inclusion that not many subwoofers have. Typically, the phase switcher allows you to switch between 0 and 180 degrees. This may or may not make your subwoofer sound better. It depends on the type of subwoofer and audio gear you have, the size and dimensions of your room, and if you have any audio interference. There’s no standard for this; you just have to experiment and see what settings will work for you.
How to setup your subwoofers volume, frequency and crossover video tutorial
If you want a bit more help, checkout the below video which shows you which settings to use when you first setup your subwoofer and then what to tweak to get the perfect sound for your truck, car or home.
These settings should be more than enough to get your subwoofer sounding right. It’s important to remember that these are only minor tweaks, so you shouldn’t be too worried about getting them right. As long as it sounds right to you, that’s all that really matters in the end.