Subwoofer Vs. Kicker

Hooking up a subwoofer will help manage the bass levels of sound.

Subwoofers operate in conjunction with speakers to provide the full spectrum of sound available to human ears. Subwoofers provide low bass audio not accessible by basic speakers. Subwoofers are manufactured by many different companies, including Kicker, which started in 1980 making full-range speaker boxes that included subwoofers.

Subwoofer Size

Subwoofers for car audio applications come in a variety of sizes and depths. Kicker makes subwoofers that range in size from 6 1/2 inches to 18 inches. The subwoofers range in depth from 4 3/8 inches deep to 11 3/8 inches. The space available for subwoofer mounting enhance or limit the sound quality available.

Basic Subwoofer Hertz Levels

Most subwoofers take over at lower sound levels where basic speakers cannot reach. Typical home and car audio subwoofers extend to bass depths reaching 50-30 hertz (Hz). Kicker makes subwoofers that will take over for speakers that leave off at 500 Hz. The subwoofers then extend down to 25 Hz.

Professional Subwoofer Hertz Levels

Professional subwoofers can reach to 20 Hz or lower into sub-bass levels. Kicker makes subwoofers that can reach down to 18 Hz. The upper reaches of these higher-end subwoofers can reach up to 500 Hz, although most of them start at 100 Hz.

References

• Sound on Sound: Choosing and Installing a Subwoofer

Resources

• Kicker