A soundbar is a fantastic component for home theaters because it emulates the effects of surround sound very well. However, on its own, it doesn’t have the capability to emulate bass as effectively as a subwoofer can.
So, this raises the question of whether you can pair a subwoofer with a soundbar. After all, why wouldn’t you want to? Bass adds a whole new dimension to your listening experience.
Unfortunately, the answer is no most of the time. This is because most soundbars are designed to be standalone units. The only time you can add a subwoofer to a soundbar is if the actual soundbar comes with a subwoofer, much like the LG SP11RA.
Can You Add A Subwoofer To A Soundbar?
Adding a subwoofer to a soundbar can be a complex task. Usually, soundbars are not designed to accommodate an extra subwoofer unless specified by the manufacturer on the product box or manual.
Luckily, there are a few methods you can explore if you absolutely need to add a subwoofer to your soundbar setup, such as the audio extraction method, audio duplication method and direct wiring method.
However, understand that these methods might not always deliver optimal results due to potential timing issues between the soundbar and subwoofer audio. This happens more often with the audio extraction and duplication methods that involve using devices to split or extract the audio signal.
Please be aware that to make these adjustments, you may need specific devices such as an HDMI splitter, HDMI audio extractor, or a Gefen digital to analog converter, which can result in additional costs.
Also, be prepared for some level of disassembly of your soundbar if you opt for the direct wiring method. You’ll need to tap into the speaker-level output of the soundbar’s internal amp, which will require some technical knowledge and tools.
Bear in mind that these modifications may affect the warranty of your soundbar. It’s always advisable to consult with a professional or thoroughly read the user manual before making these alterations.
Recognize that you should not attempt to power a passive subwoofer using the internal amp of the soundbar, as it could potentially damage your device and cause it to stop working.
Ultimately, the feasibility of adding a subwoofer to a soundbar greatly depends on the specific models of your devices and your willingness to experiment and potentially risk damaging your equipment.
How To Add A Subwoofer To A Soundbar
Considering that the subwoofers are actually compatible with or come as part of the soundbar package, you can add one to enhance your audio experience. This will give you deeper, richer bass and more dynamic sound.
Soundbar and subwoofer brands usually design their products to work in harmony. It’s crucial to ensure the devices are from the same brand and have a built-in compatibility feature for seamless operation.
Before settling to add a subwoofer to your soundbar, familiarize yourself with their input and output jacks. Usually, the subwoofer out jack on a soundbar and the input on a subwoofer are found at the rear.
In most cases, connecting the two is simple: you will need a mono audio cable. Plug in one end of the cable into the subwoofer’s input jack and the other end into the soundbar’s subwoofer out jack.
Connecting the soundbar and subwoofer is only the first step. For optimal performance, placement is also crucial. Since subwoofers are not localized like full-range speakers, you enjoy flexibility with their positioning.
Bear in mind that it may take a bit of trial and error to find the best spot for your subwoofer. The goal is to have a placement that balances the sound and enhances the overall audio quality. A corner location often provides more punch, but room acoustics differ, so experiment until you find the sweet spot.
Can You Connect Any Subwoofer To A Soundbar?
Connecting any subwoofer to a soundbar might seem like a straightforward idea. Yet, in practical terms, it’s not so simple. The compatibility of a soundbar to a subwoofer is quite limited and specific.
Subwoofers that come with the soundbar, or are explicitly recommended by the manufacturer, are typically the best choices for integration. These are made to work seamlessly together, ensuring optimal sound quality.
But trying to add any subwoofer to your soundbar will result in poor audio quality if you can successfully manage to even make the connection. The soundbar and subwoofer are required to be in perfect sync and harmony which is seldom possible without the backed manufacturer specification.
Indeed, striving for a powerful audio setup can seem appealing. However, the best approach usually involves using equipment designed to work together. Thus, adding any subwoofer to a soundbar isn’t a universally recommended or viable option.
Can You Connect Two Subwoofers To A Soundbar?
Certainly, it is possible to connect two subwoofers to a soundbar, as long as the soundbar supports this feature. Always remember, you will need the subwoofers to match the brand and compatibility of the soundbar.
Keeping the volume balanced between the two subwoofers is key. This ensures the best sound output without overdriving either of the subwoofers, maintaining an effective dynamic range.
Notably, having two subwoofers can improve your sound setup by increasing the bass response and balance. The outcome is a solid, clearer, and more immersive sonic experience.
Needless to say, the process of connecting two subwoofers to a soundbar is not much different from connecting just one. With the correct cables and connectors, the setup will take minimal effort.
Entertain the thought of then enjoying a more even distribution of bass and enhanced audio quality across your entertainment room. Dual subwoofers can, undoubtedly, help achieve this effect.
Consider though, not all rooms are ideal for setting up two subwoofers. You might need to experiment with different positions for the best results.
Where To Place My Subwoofer?
Precisely positioning your subwoofer can significantly enhance your sound experience. Subwoofers can be placed in multiple ways, taking into consideration the room’s size, shape, and acoustics.
Quite commonly, a subwoofer is placed near the TV or the sound bar. Putting it upfront improves the overall blend of sound, creating a mesh between your speakers and the subwoofer effectively.
Registering the room’s dimensions can help you decide the second way – the corner placement. In this method, the subwoofer is placed in a corner, which can result in deeper bass due to reflections from adjacent walls.
Thirdly, some people prefer placing their subwoofer against a wall. Wall placement reduces phase cancellations, enhancing the bass response. This position can be a good compromise if corner placement makes the bass too overwhelming.
Additionally, you can adopt the subwoofer crawl method for optimal placement. This involves placing the subwoofer at your listening position and moving around the room to find the spot where the bass sounds best.
Understand that placement is highly dependent on the room’s characteristics and personal preference. It’s a game of trial and error that results in finding the ‘sweet spot’ for your subwoofer.
Ventilated and open to air flow. Subwoofers can generate heat during their operation; hence, they need to be positioned in spaces that allow for easy dissipation of excess heat.
- Near TV
- Place in a corner
- Against a wall
- Subwoofer Crawl Method
Where Not To Place A Subwoofer
There are many undesirable places when it comes to positioning a subwoofer. Despite the universal belief that subwoofers can go pretty much anywhere, the location does affect its overall sound quality.
Nestling your subwoofer right next to other electronic equipment is not a good idea. This may result in electrical interference, causing unwanted noise or hum from your subwoofer.
Incorporating your subwoofer into a tightly confined space, such as a cabinet, can also hinder its performance. The closed-in nature of cabinets can cause annoying resonance and muffle the sound.
Also, placing it near windows is a bad idea as well. Windows can rattle from the bass and worsen the subwoofer’s sound quality.
Avoid settings wherein the subwoofer faces a large, empty room. This arrangement could result in sound waves dissipating quickly, reducing the impact of the bass.
Being positioned in open hallways or passageways is another unfavorable option. This might limit the subwoofer’s capability to create an immersive, room-filling bass.
- Placement in cabinets or confined spaces can cause resonance and muffled sound.
- Near-windows placement can cause rattle and worsen sound quality.
- Setting in large, empty rooms can reduce the bass impact.
- Open hallways or passageways can limit room-filling bass capability.
Conclusion
To conclude, adding a subwoofer to a soundbar is possible, granted the soundbar supports this upgrade. Additionally, the soundbar and subwoofer need to be from the same brand or designed to work in harmony.
Understanding the specifics of your soundbar’s capacity to add a subwoofer is crucial. Subwoofers enhance the audio effect by improving the dynamic range and bass output, making for an immersive listening experience.
Visualize the placement while considering adding a subwoofer. Because low-frequency sounds aren’t localized, the subwoofer can be located anywhere in the room for best results.
Wiring a soundbar and a subwoofer is simple. It’s essential to locate the Subwoofer Output jack on your soundbar and the Input on your subwoofer.
Remember, not all soundbars allow the addition of a standalone subwoofer. This capability is typically only available when the soundbar and subwoofer are sold together or specifically designed to connect.
