Subwoofers

A subwoofer is an important element in almost every sound system imaginable. They are used to produce a depth to the sound produced by traditional speakers and draw out the bass that is added to music, television shows and movies in an attempt to give the viewer or listener the feeling that they are there.

Computer speaker systems and surround sound systems for televisions use subwoofers for clarity and depth purposes in sound and produce the booming that is known as bass in those venues. Each subwoofer, most people will only ever need one attached to a single sound system, is a round or square speaker ranging in size from 8inches to 30inches around. It is normally enclosed in a box or enclosure made of wood, fiberglass or plastic.

Subwoofers come in two varieties: passive and powered. Passive subwoofers need to be hooked up to an amplifier to get power, while powered subwoofers are powered on their own. Most home theater subwoofers are powered on their own and don't require an amplifier. Passive subwoofers are more common in car audio systems.

To get down to the point subwoofers are important to a home theater system because it allows the viewer to recreate the experience of seeing a film in the movie theater or creating a feeling of being surrounded by the loud booming of a music concert. While they will never get the listener directly there in terms of sound it is close and the sound is solid and powerful.

Is a subwoofer necessary? Yes and no. A television or sound system will technically work without an actual subwoofer, however the sound is not going to be as deep or as crisp as it would be with a subwoofer and the bass that everyone loves in the movie theater won't come through.