15" Subwoofer

It is not uncommon for those who like quality home stereos to invest in individual components to improve their system. One of the most commonly discussed components is that of a subwoofer. It is important to define what a subwoofer is and does. A Subwoofer is a speaker that is designed specifically to create sound frequencies below the level of human hearing. Simply put it creates sound so low that we feel it more than we hear it.

The first big question is how low should you go? While human hearing can rarely reach below the 40 hertz level, a 15″ subwoofer can often reach into the 20 or even 10 hertz range. If you even listen to high quality recordings of traditional church organs than you would know the importance of this extreme low end. This is why the general advice is to go as low as you can afford to get the deepest low-end.

The next big question is sensitivity. When dealing with a speaker sensitivity is directly related to how loud the speaker will be given at a specific wattage. When dealing with a guitar amplifier a speaker with a 100db per watt sensitivity will be half the volume of a speaker with 103db response per watt. If you need more volume or are dealing with an industrial application a higher sensitivity is crucial for your subwoofer to be felt.

Finally you must consider the importance of frequency response. To a consumer this basically boils down to what sounds better? A quality subwoofer will respond in such a way that is pleasing to the ear. A low quality speaker will sound harsh and will have a grating effect on the listener. This is why it is critical that one choose a subwoofer after listening to it. This subjective quality can’t be expressed through mathematics thus it is important to consult someone who is experienced with quality sound systems before making a purchase.

Knowing what to look for when buying a 15″ subwoofer is not hard. Only a few major qualities need to be considered. This and a keen ear will result in a decision that will last a lifetime. When listening to music it is important that a speaker deliver a musical response and not overpower the other speakers. This is why one must always personally preview equipment before purchase.