Home active subwoofer: connect and configure

A subwoofer is one of the most important components of a multi-channel speaker system. Without him, the organization of home theaters is rarely enough. The classical concept of this element of acoustics provides for a more detailed study of low frequencies in comparison with full-scale stereosystems. In addition, in some complexes such settings muffle the distorting factors of the sound, making reproduction cleaner. More importantly, a home active subwoofer has minimal impact on the physical organization of the system.

Typically, this is a compact installation, the placement of which also does not matter in terms of the perception of the sound by the listener. This is due precisely to the specificity of the signal propagation from the low spectrum, which is equally captured regardless of the position of the source. Nevertheless, the connection and configuration of equipment still require 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 availability 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 filtering of high frequencies and simplifying the matching of equipment with broadband acoustics. There are also additional features in some models. Thus, a home subwoofer, whose price 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, setting of positions of crossover points, etc.

How to connect an active subwoofer through an amplifier?

The amplifier is usually equipped with a special RCA-channel, designed to connect active subwoofers. In some models, even several inputs are provided, which enhances the acoustic capabilities of the equipment. From the user it is only necessary to prepare the RCA cable of the optimal length and connect it to the corresponding connector. As for the simultaneous use of two inputs, this scheme is helped to realize powerful home subwoofers connected through a cable-splitter. With this method of interaction, the subwoofer will double the input sensitivity, but this will not have a noticeable effect on the surround sound.

Also it is 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 out in choosing a cable. It is advisable to give preference to a copper solid wire, which will retain the maximum signal volume. However, if you use a home active subwoofer from the 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. In this case, the speaker systems are connected to high-level outputs on the subwoofer. In front of the terminals are also high-frequency filters, providing an average of 6 dB. This configuration provides a minimum 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 lack of such a scheme. If you choose the described model of connection through direct output terminals and filters of the subwoofer itself, you can achieve optimum sound quality throughout the range with minimizing the errors of the acoustic palette 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 the Home Subwoofer by Frequency

Basic adjustment of the equipment is made taking into account the characteristics of the main acoustics. In any case, it is worthwhile to navigate in the basic parameters. The installation itself can be adjusted in the parameters of the audio crossover and the phase switch, which will be discussed below. But until you can begin to directly calibrate the acoustic parameters, you should check the connection quality and optimize the connection nodes as much as possible. 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 and is connected through radio communication sensors. That is, you only need to synchronize the equipment through a Bluetooth module or other wireless communication system.

Crossover adjustment

The crossover setting is designed to set the frequency spectrum of the woofer separation. That is, with the help of this regulator, subwoofers for home theaters are tuned to the full range of the signal reproduction. In some models, even the extreme value of frequencies is provided, under which the apparatus is not at all perceived by the human ear. The standard value is the average position of 80 Hz. Retreat 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 towards the lowering frequency.

Phase switch setting

The phase switch, in turn, is designed to compensate for the difference in gaps between the main subwoofer setting and its components. Also, this control helps to match signals from different satellites. Adjust the home active subwoofer for this parameter is recommended against the background of playing music fragments with a male low voice. The user must determine during the listening process, in which phase switching mode the vocals sound most naturally and volumetrically.

Elimination of acoustic distortion of the subwoofer

For a number of reasons, even expensive branded subwoofers do not always provide crystal clear sound in a low range. However, in some cases, such problems are amenable to correction. For example, a pronounced acoustic hum can be caused by a dispersion in the wires of the subwoofer. This is just the case when the quality of the cable plays a significant role in the characteristics of the broadcasting of the sound. You can fix this problem by either updating the wire, or by manipulating the volume control to find the optimal clean sound. In particular, powerful home subwoofers are recommended to be initially connected through a thick RCA cable of enhanced quality with an effective screening function. Often, users of subwoofers also note a loud roar, which is provoked by external factors. Eliminate such flaws will help the so-called current filter in the cable.

How to choose the best subwoofer?

A quality system may well have average performance characteristics and, if properly connected, produce a decent acoustic palette. Thus, a powerful home subwoofer, whose price is about 50-60 thousand rubles, is more likely to cope with its tasks of processing low frequencies in the limits allowed by the main acoustics. 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, overpayment 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, attention should also be paid to the fabrication material. Despite the popularity of plastic, the demand for a wooden active subwoofer does not quench. The reviews point out that the body made of natural material is most advantageous in suppressing vibrations and uniform dispersion of the working signal. True, wood loses plastic in practicality in terms of installation.

Conclusion

The subwoofer as such is included in the speaker system because of the desire for high-quality sound. Active installations with amplifiers to a greater extent ensure the achievement of this result. And, provided that the correct connection is made, the home active subwoofer will justify the investments in it. According to music lovers who use similar configurations with active subwoofers, in the same home theaters it is possible to achieve a powerful reproduction power with deep bass. The potential for system disclosure in these characteristics is primarily determined by the quality of the connection. On the second place are subwoofer settings for the frequency range.