REAL subwoofers!

By Stig Erik Tangen
20 Mar 1996

Amplifier

This subwoofer system has high enough sensitivity to require only a low-power amplifier. I use a Hiraga LeClasse-A 20 W, which is more than sufficient. My main system is capable of playing louder than 110 dB, and the 20W Hiraga has no problems in hanging on. The system can handle about 100 W input, so real loud low bass is within reach. I would rather recommend a heavy built low-power amp with a large power supply, than a multi-hundred-watts amp.

Room
Correct room placement is equally important for subwoofers as for main systems. In my opinion all loudspeakers should be direct radiating. This means that the direct sound from the speakers will reach the listener before reflected sound from the room, and the direct sound is stronger than any reflection. Many subwoofers are not direct radiating, of some strange reason. If the speaker is based on radiating towards the floor or wall, only reflected sound will reach the listener. IMHO such solutions should be considered unsuited for high fidelity sound reproduction.

My subwoofers are intended to radiate directly towards the listener, and they should be time-aligned with the main system. The depth of the box makes it possible to stack them close up to the front wall. They are also intended to stand on the floor, even if a placement free from the floor theoretically is better. The size and proportions of the box makes this a little less attractive. I use my subwoofers as a table to place all my power amplifiers! My own sub's are placed between the main speakers (these are floor-standing types), close to each main speaker. Smaller main speakers should be placed on the top of each according subwoofer.

Listening room acoustics is mostly a sad story, especially in small rooms. Standing waves at low frequencies are very prominent in acoustically untreated rooms, and this will of course degrade the performance of a well designed loudspeaker system. An other anomality is that the lowest bass can be fully enjoyed only in the opposite end of the room. Installation of a high quality loudspeaker system may well display that the room acoustics are less than perfect.

Comments, questions etc... mail me. I will NOT repond to questions regarding general crossover or box design!

For you Norwegians... Det er mulig å få hørt systemet, hvis du er veldig interessert. Jeg bor ca. 1,5 time nord for Oslo.

Stig Erik Tangen

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