does higher subwoofer wattage=deeper bass?

Rypro 525 · 05-11-04, 10:59 PM

the current sub i have is 50 watt, and its pretty good. only problem is that it sometimes vibrates when the lfe is really deep (matrix sequel's can get annoying sometimes). i was thinking, say i had a 250 watt sub, would the bass sound any deeper or more natural (the 50 watt vibrates the floor sometimes, would a 250 shake it?)

THORN · 05-11-04, 11:20 PM

many things influence bass responce, while amp power does play a part it is definatly not the most important

IMHO the most important is the room position (the corner of the room usualy give the best responce) try a few diff positions and see what happens

2nd the size of ur room. this requires som higher level math than i am particularly comfortable. needless to say i understand the theroy even if i can explain the math. frequency sound waves equate to physical dimensions (these numbers are wrong) but for example say a 20Hz wave equals 20ft if ur room is only19ft u may not be able to hear a 20Hz signal. it may be possible to hear it if ur room were 1/4 of the signal lenght or 1/2 the lenght . if the sound wave strikes the wall incorrectly postioned its reflection can cancel out the orginal wave.

3rd the size of the driver/ enclosure.... the driver must be able to move enought air to produce the desired sound . the enclosure is subject to the same rules as the room in reguards to wave lenght (again that damn math

)

lastly is probably the power behind the driver (ur orginal question)

hope this helped

THORN

hoyalawya · 05-12-04, 12:03 AM

The wattage of a powered subwoofer is irrelevant if the sub design is poor. Most subs at Best Buy won't go down below 35 htz without dipping substantially below the standard +/- 3db flat response.

To answer your question, higher power amp will be able to move more air therefore more vibration at lower frequency assuming that the sub can produce the low frequencies.

If you want to experience a "real" sub at a reasonable price. Check out SVS and HSU subwoofers.

chipmac · 05-12-04, 12:06 AM

Put simply watts equals more possible volume. Deep bass equals lower frequency response. You can get deep bass without more volume if your setup is correct like Thorn explains. More watts (power) can help in a large room but sub position and room acoustics are just as, if not more, important. The bottom line though is that if the frequency response of your sub only reaches to 35Hz then no amount of additional power or volume will make it go lower.

Brian Shannon · 05-12-04, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rypro 525
the current sub i have is 50 watt, and its pretty good. only problem is that it sometimes vibrates when the lfe is really deep (matrix sequel's can get annoying sometimes). i was thinking, say i had a 250 watt sub, would the bass sound any deeper or more natural (the 50 watt vibrates the floor sometimes, would a 250 shake it?)

The biggest single factor here is driver size (ie., diameter). The larger the driver, coupled with power, will provide the lowest bass.

Try this link http://www.svsubwoofers.com/

http://www.svsubwoofers.com/animation.htm

DVD Josh · 05-12-04, 03:15 PM

Rypro, everyone is pretty much on so far.

Something you need to understand about wattage and what is termed "perceived volume". What this means is how loud your ear perceives volume.

In order for something to be "heard" twice as loud, it needs to actually be 4x as loud. That's why a 50W sub does not sound substantially louder than a 100W one.

Sdallnct · 05-12-04, 05:58 PM

The overall quality of the sub can have an effect as well. For example, a poorly made cabinet might cause the bass to be not as "solid" sounding.

Of course there is the old "numbers game" played by some. I would trust the numbers more on something like the SVS, KEF, Velodyne, etc a lot more then the numbers on the subs at K-mart.

IMHO, one of the most important things you can do is buy from a dealer you can trust and has a good reputation (on line or B&M). As mentioned there are many factors that will effect sub sound. And you will not really know what it sounds like till you get it in your home, in the room, hooked up to your system. So you want to make sure you have some sort of return, exchange option. Even if it is just 30 days or something.

gotapex · 05-12-04, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DVD Josh
In order for something to be "heard" twice as loud, it needs to actually be 4x as loud. That's why a 50W sub does not sound substantially louder than a 100W one.

Most quote 10x the sound pressure to be perceived as 2x the volume.

05-11-04, 10:59 PM	#1
Rypro 525 DVD Talk Hero Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: a frikin hellhole Posts: 26,314	does higher subwoofer wattage=deeper bass? the current sub i have is 50 watt, and its pretty good. only problem is that it sometimes vibrates when the lfe is really deep (matrix sequel's can get annoying sometimes). i was thinking, say i had a 250 watt sub, would the bass sound any deeper or more natural (the 50 watt vibrates the floor sometimes, would a 250 shake it?) __________________ Follow me: http://twitter.com/TheChewDefense

05-11-04, 11:20 PM	#2
THORN Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 405	many things influence bass responce, while amp power does play a part it is definatly not the most important IMHO the most important is the room position (the corner of the room usualy give the best responce) try a few diff positions and see what happens 2nd the size of ur room. this requires som higher level math than i am particularly comfortable. needless to say i understand the theroy even if i can explain the math. frequency sound waves equate to physical dimensions (these numbers are wrong) but for example say a 20Hz wave equals 20ft if ur room is only19ft u may not be able to hear a 20Hz signal. it may be possible to hear it if ur room were 1/4 of the signal lenght or 1/2 the lenght . if the sound wave strikes the wall incorrectly postioned its reflection can cancel out the orginal wave. 3rd the size of the driver/ enclosure.... the driver must be able to move enought air to produce the desired sound . the enclosure is subject to the same rules as the room in reguards to wave lenght (again that damn math ) lastly is probably the power behind the driver (ur orginal question) hope this helped THORN __________________ The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled, was convincing the world he didn't exist. .....and like that....... he was gone -- Verbal Kint The Usual Suspects THORN'S COLLECTION

05-12-04, 12:03 AM	#3
hoyalawya Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 641	The wattage of a powered subwoofer is irrelevant if the sub design is poor. Most subs at Best Buy won't go down below 35 htz without dipping substantially below the standard +/- 3db flat response. To answer your question, higher power amp will be able to move more air therefore more vibration at lower frequency assuming that the sub can produce the low frequencies. If you want to experience a "real" sub at a reasonable price. Check out SVS and HSU subwoofers. Last edited by hoyalawya; 05-12-04 at 12:10 AM.

05-12-04, 03:15 PM	#6
DVD Josh DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: In My Own Little World Posts: 19,355	Rypro, everyone is pretty much on so far. Something you need to understand about wattage and what is termed "perceived volume". What this means is how loud your ear perceives volume. In order for something to be "heard" twice as loud, it needs to actually be 4x as loud. That's why a 50W sub does not sound substantially louder than a 100W one. __________________ *DVDTALK GOLD TRADER* http://www.invelos.com/dvdcollection.aspx/cwrujosh

05-12-04, 05:58 PM	#7
Sdallnct DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Home again, Big D Posts: 17,434	The overall quality of the sub can have an effect as well. For example, a poorly made cabinet might cause the bass to be not as "solid" sounding. Of course there is the old "numbers game" played by some. I would trust the numbers more on something like the SVS, KEF, Velodyne, etc a lot more then the numbers on the subs at K-mart. IMHO, one of the most important things you can do is buy from a dealer you can trust and has a good reputation (on line or B&M). As mentioned there are many factors that will effect sub sound. And you will not really know what it sounds like till you get it in your home, in the room, hooked up to your system. So you want to make sure you have some sort of return, exchange option. Even if it is just 30 days or something. __________________ Live Free. Dine Well. Drink good beer. Home Theater Build

05-12-04, 12:06 AM	#4
chipmac DVD Talk Special Edition Join Date: Feb 1999 Location: Easton, PA Posts: 1,071	Put simply watts equals more possible volume. Deep bass equals lower frequency response. You can get deep bass without more volume if your setup is correct like Thorn explains. More watts (power) can help in a large room but sub position and room acoustics are just as, if not more, important. The bottom line though is that if the frequency response of your sub only reaches to 35Hz then no amount of additional power or volume will make it go lower.