How to Buy Subwoofer Speakers

In a satellite/subwoofer speaker system, the large subwoofer speaker produces the bass, while the smaller satellite speakers produce the high notes. Subwoofers are an important component of a home theater or surround sound system.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Speaker Cables
• Speaker Systems
• Surround Sound Receivers

1. Look for an active subwoofer for use in a stereo system.

2. Consider active or passive subwoofers for use in a home theater system.

3. Look for clean, tight, accurate bass for music reproduction.

4. Look for realistic dynamics for home theater use.

5. Read reviews in audio magazines, like AudioReview.com, and elsewhere on the Internet to help narrow your list.

6. Take a few familiar CDs to stores you visit. Choose pieces with prominent bass information.

7. Arrange to listen to a speaker at home through your own system if it sounds good to you in the store. Ask the dealer to provide appropriate cables if you don't already have them.

8. After you've found the best subwoofer in your price range, listen to your system without the subwoofer. If you perceive the same amount of bass but a collapsed soundstage, you've made a good choice.

Tips & Warnings

• Trust your own ears, not the reviewer's or salesperson's.
• An active subwoofer contains a power amplifier. A passive subwoofer is powered by an external amplifier or receiver. Consider passive subwoofers only if they will be compatible with your current amplifier or receiver.
• Budget for speaker cables. Cables can cost from a few dollars to thousands of dollars. (See "How to Buy Speaker Cables" under Related eHows for more on speaker cables.)
• Look for acoustic suspension (sealed box) speakers if you want clean, tight, accurate bass.
• Look for bass reflex (ported) speakers if you want boom and the widest selection of models.
• Avoid listening to speakers that are out of your price range.
• For music use, avoid speakers that provide one-note bass.