What Does a Subwoofer Do? Our Expert Guide to Better Sound
If you’ve ever sat in a cinema and felt a rumble in your chest during an action scene, you’ve experienced a subwoofer in the wild. But what is a subwoofer, and why is it a game-changer for your home setup?
Whether you are a film buff, a dedicated gamer, or a music lover, adding a subwoofer for home use is often the single biggest upgrade you can make to your audio experience. Read on as our experts explore the world of subwoofers and give their top recommendations on which products to buy.
What Does a Subwoofer Do?
A subwoofer is a specialist speaker dedicated to reproducing low-pitched audio frequencies, known as bass and sub-bass.
Most speakers and some high-end hi-fi setups are designed to handle a wide range of sounds. However, they often struggle with the very deepest notes. A subwoofer takes that heavy lifting away from your main speakers, allowing them to focus on the crisp highs and clear mid-range while the sub handles the bass.
REL T9x
How a Subwoofer Complements Your Viewing & Gaming Set-Up
Adding a subwoofer to your home cinema space does much more than just crank up the volume; it makes every experience feel fuller and more immersive. By handling the deepest tones, it breathes life into movies, making everything from the subtle, low hum of a distant spaceship to the floor-shaking impact of an explosion feel incredibly real.
The best subwoofer for music doesn’t just play bass; it provides a rich, warm foundation that supports your favourite tracks, letting you hear the music exactly as the artist intended.
For gamers, it adds a physical dimension to the action. A REL sub-bass system also adds vital ‘weight’ to dialogue and subtle atmospheric effects. In a surround sound setup, it supports your centre speaker – the hardest working part of your system – ensuring voices sound natural and grounded rather than thin. This creates a more immersive experience, pulling you deeper into the game world.
To ensure your visuals are as immersive as your audio, you might also want to explore our guide on the best gaming TVs.
Do Hi-Fi Speakers Need a Subwoofer?
While high-quality floorstanding or bookshelf speakers can deliver impressive audio, many hi-fi systems significantly benefit from a dedicated subwoofer to handle the heavy lifting of full-range audio. A subwoofer takes the burden away from your main speakers, which often struggle to reproduce pulsating sub-bass frequencies, allowing them to hear every detail in your music and films.
Shifting these low-frequency duties to a sub also means your speaker drivers don’t have to work as hard, resulting in less unwanted distortion and a much cleaner sound across the entire range.
Soundbar or Subwoofer?
You might be choosing between a soundbar with a subwoofer and a standalone subwoofer if you’re looking to improve your TV’s sound. While many modern soundbars offer great clarity, a standalone subwoofer for a soundbar provides a level of depth that some slim bars may struggle with.
If you’re just starting your journey, check out our introduction to soundbars guide to see how these two pieces of tech work together. Many setups, like a Sony soundbar and subwoofer combo, are designed to sync perfectly right out of the box.
Sony BRAVIA Theatre Bar 6 Soundbar and Subwoofer
Choosing the right sub for your space
When searching for the best subwoofers to buy, it’s vital to consider both the size of your room and your existing gear.
For smaller rooms where space is tight, a mini subwoofer is the perfect choice to provide that extra kick without overcrowding your living area. Most home users opt for an amped subwoofer, often called an active sub, which features a built-in amplifier for a subwoofer to ensure a simple plug-and-play setup and optimised sound.
If you already enjoy a multiroom system, a Sonos Sub subwoofer can be added wirelessly to your existing Sonos speakers for an instant performance boost. There are solutions for every environment, ranging from a JBL speaker with a subwoofer, such as the JBL Charge 6, for that high-energy party subwoofer vibe to rugged outdoor options designed to withstand the changes in weather during your garden party.
The Best Subwoofers to Buy on the Market
Our experts have carefully curated a selection of three standout subwoofers to complement your speakers and truly fine-tune the output.
The All-Rounder
The SVS SB-1000 Pro is an incredible subwoofer for serious performance without a massive footprint. Its 12-inch driver is powered by a sophisticated Sledge amplifier, delivering deep, accurate bass that reaches down to 20Hz. With built-in DSP (Digital Signal Processing) controllable via a smartphone app, you can fine-tune the output to match your room’s acoustics perfectly.
Best for: All-action home cinema and high-intensity gaming setups.
SVS SB-1000 Pro
The Music Specialist
REL doesn’t just make subs; they make sub-bass systems designed specifically to enhance hi-fi speakers. The T9x uses a high-current amplifier and a lightning-fast 10-inch driver to ensure the bass stays perfectly in time with your music. Best of all, it features separate controls for Hi-Fi and home cinema. This means you can get the perfect level of bass for your favourite albums and big-budget blockbusters, without the constant need to change the settings.
Best for: Music lovers looking to add weight and warmth to vinyl or high-res audio.
The Wireless Wonder
If you’re already in the Sonos ecosystem, the Sonos Sub Gen 4 Subwoofer is a shrewd upgrade. It eliminates cable clutter by connecting wirelessly to your Arc Ultra, Arc, Beam, or Era speakers in seconds. The twin force-cancelling drivers cancel out cabinet vibration, giving you deep bass with no rattles, making you feel as though you’re a part of the action.
Best for: Existing Sonos owners and minimalist rooms where visible wires are not an option.
Where Should a Subwoofer be Placed?
Placing a subwoofer correctly is vital to your audio experience. While placing a sub in a corner can naturally increase the bass volume, it may also result in a sound that is “boomy” or less detailed.
For most users, especially those using a soundbar, we recommend placing the subwoofer right next to the TV unit, as it’s the best way to keep the front soundstage unified and immersive.
To find the perfect spot, you can experiment with the bass around the room. Place the subwoofer where you usually sit, perhaps on a chair or a sofa, and you’ll find the sound is very soft and loose. This is a great way to understand what ‘muddy’ bass sounds like. To get the best performance, move the sub back onto the solid floor. If the bass then feels a bit light, move it closer to a corner for more of a ‘punch’. If it’s too heavy, pull it away from the wall to let the sound breathe and tighten up.
Argon Audio Malmo SUB10
Hear the Difference: Visit Your Local Experts
Every room is different, and our experts are here to help you find the perfect fit. If you’re unsure which subwoofer will suit your current speakers, why not pop into one of our stores for a chat? We love talking tech and can give you a live demonstration so you can hear the difference for yourself.
