Adding subs to a room can enhance whole-home audio as well as home theaters, and there are many models now available to serve every need. The trick for success is to match the right sub with the client and the room.
“The question is not, ‘Would you like subwoofers?’ The question is, ‘Do you want the most immersive audio experience possible?’” says Ben Hagens, product training manager, KEF. “The same goes with pitching a Dolby Atmos system. Or any audio, for that matter. The client has said they want audio, which means they care about audio. And who doesn’t want the most immersive experience possible? The how comes later, but by making the conversation about experience, you’re tapping into discussions on how the client is going to live in this space.”
Subwoofers, he notes give a good chunk of visceral impact. “In some horror movies, such as A Quiet Place Part 2 and Hereditary, the Low Frequency Effects (LFE) are used to put your body into a sense of anxiety and dread. But through the way sound works, they work with the other speakers in the system. The technicalities of this should not be a part of the conversation unless necessary; again, focus on the experience.
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“Get this right, and not only do you have a client whose expectations have been exceeded, but you’ve also created a new word-of-mouth marketing campaign to their friends and family,” Hagens adds. “If possible, get a demo involved somehow. I’m a big fan of having integrators who may not have their own showroom or an accommodating client take our LSX II active wireless speakers with a pre-configured router and play that to the client. Adding a subwoofer to this is easy to do. Nothing is more powerful than the demo.”
At K&W Audio & Automation, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, a MartinLogan dealer, Trevor Ternes views subwoofers as crucial when introducing any high-end audio system to residential clients. “They obviously provide the deep, rich bass that completes the full audio experience, ensuring clients feel the sound as much as they hear it,” he says. “A well-integrated subwoofer brings balance to music, movies, and entertainment, making the system truly immersive. It’s the element that transforms good sound into exceptional sound, which is why we always prioritize subwoofers in our designs.
“We highlight how subwoofers deliver the missing low-frequency sound that smaller speakers simply can’t produce,” he adds. “Whether it’s the rumble of a movie soundtrack or the depth in a musical performance, subwoofers provide that added dimension that makes sound feel real and engaging. We also emphasize how a well-placed subwoofer enhances clarity, allowing other speakers to perform better by handling the mid and high frequencies. It’s about creating a fuller, more immersive experience that truly elevates the home entertainment environment.”
What and Where
“When assessing the ideal subwoofer for a specific room in a home, we take into account several factors: the room’s size, shape, and acoustics,” Ternes says. “Larger rooms may require more powerful or multiple subwoofers to ensure balanced sound, while smaller spaces need precision and control to avoid overpowering the audio. We also consider the client’s preferences for music and movies, as well as the aesthetic fit within their home. By using advanced room calibration tools, we can also fine-tune the subwoofer’s performance to perfectly match the environment, ensuring a seamless and immersive experience.”
Placement is determined by first analyzing the room’s layout, acoustics, and furniture arrangement. “Subwoofers work best when positioned to optimize bass distribution without causing distortion or imbalance,” he explains. “Typically, corners or along walls can enhance low-frequency response, but every room is different. We use sound-mapping tools and sometimes conduct a ‘subwoofer crawl’ to find the spot where bass sounds the most balanced and impactful. Our goal is to place the subwoofer where it blends seamlessly with the rest of the system, delivering clean, powerful sound throughout the space. We also consider the room’s aesthetics and the need to retain the practicality of the room. Regardless of the results of our measurements and sub crawl, if the optimal spot is dead center in the room by your feet, this wouldn’t be an option that would be acceptable to most customers.”
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Subwoofer matching is a very open-ended endeavor, which is why it is important to have a flexible range that can serve different purposes at different budgets, but simultaneously does not cause confusion. “After all, ‘the customer confused buys nothing,’ as once stated by Gilbert Briggs,” Hagens says. “The only thing I would really try to avoid is symmetrical placement of subwoofers when in a symmetrical room, due to the way standing waves work. If you can model the room, fantastic. If you can’t, it may be worth bringing a small box subwoofer or two into the space and getting a feel for the room before landing on final positions.
“As to standing waves,” he continues, “multiple subwoofer positions are always preferred from a performance perspective. This isn’t necessarily to add bass, but to create consistent bass throughout the listening space. In the same way that we have no interest in creating a small listening area for the main speakers, we have the same philosophy for subwoofers.”
The Latest
“We’ve actually got a really nice range of subwoofers on offer right now, both box subwoofers and architectural/installed subwoofers,” Hagens says. “The box subwoofers are all powered and feature our KUBE MIE range (8, 10, 12, or 15 inches, all forward-firing and sealed), KC range (KC62 and KC92, force-canceling designs and sealed), the T2 (a very slim 9-inch subwoofer), and Reference 8b (our flagship 9-inch force-canceling sealed subwoofer). All of them benefit from not only 63 years of acoustic experience, but also our in-house DSP algorithms known as the Music Integrity Engine (MIE). Part of this includes boundary gain compensation based on positioning near walls, corners, and even inside cabinets, helping to get the most performance even when positioning may not be flexible.
“In fact, KEF built its KUBE 12 and KUBE 15 MIE subwoofers into cabinets and even the wall in the KEF Music Lounge in New Jersey. The KC range represents an even higher level of performance — huge amounts of detail and depth. The KC62 pushes the physics of low-frequency performance through the Uni-Core driver array, which reduces the size to that of a soccer ball, but gives us the performance of a much larger subwoofer, ideal for small- to mid-sized rooms, and for when aesthetics are a big component of the install.
“The KC92 is the bigger brother, and can also be stacked up to three high, increasing output, headroom, and extension,” Hagens notes. “The architectural subwoofers consist of the Ci200TRb (thinline) and three THX-certified models: Ci200QSb-THX (8-inch) Ci250RRb-THX (10-inch), and Ci3160RLb (3×6.5-inch). All of these should be powered using the KEF KASA500, which has DIP settings for each model. None of these subwoofers are classified specifically as a ‘movie’ or a ‘music’ subwoofer because there is no such thing. There are only more or less accurate subwoofers. The question becomes, ‘Which is the most accurate subwoofer I can get, and how many of them do I need to hit the SPL levels I want?’ There will be a solution for any situation from distributed audio through to the largest home theaters.”
MartinLogan’s latest subwoofer offerings, the Dynamo and Abyss series, are designed for residential use due to their cutting-edge combination of performance, flexibility, and ease of integration. “The Dynamo and Abyss subwoofers feature advanced technology like app-based control, ARC room correction, and sealed cabinet designs that deliver tight, accurate bass,” Ternes says. “They’re perfect for home environments because they offer wireless connectivity, making placement easier while still providing powerful, distortion-free low frequencies. They even have built-in anti-vibration feet that enhance sound quality, reduce unwanted noise and vibration in the listening room, and lower the potential for noise complaints from adjoining rooms. Whether for music, movies, or gaming, MartinLogan subwoofers offer the perfect balance of form and function for a high-end residential system.
“There can always be challenges when integrating subwoofers into a residential system. Room acoustics vary greatly, and certain placements can lead to issues like bass dead spots or excessive boominess. Finding the right balance between power and control in larger rooms can also be tricky, especially if the space has open layouts or high ceilings. Additionally, maintaining the aesthetic of the room while placing a subwoofer in an optimal spot can require creativity. However, with advanced calibration tools and experience, we overcome these challenges to deliver seamless performance without compromising design. There are also situations where a customer may not even want to see the subwoofer at all, and for these scenarios, we can potentially utilize in-wall subwoofers to meet the customer’s goals.”
There are several current trends in subwoofer use and integration. “One key trend is the move toward wireless subwoofers, which provide greater flexibility in placement without sacrificing performance,” says Ternes. “Almost all the latest MartinLogan subwoofers come with this optional feature ready to use out of the box. Another trend is the use of multiple subwoofers to create more even bass distribution throughout the room, eliminating dead spots and enhancing immersion. Additionally, smart integration with apps and home automation systems allows for dynamic tuning, where subwoofers automatically adjust based on the type of content, whether it’s music, movies, or gaming. This trend toward seamless, adaptive systems ensures a more customized and optimized listening experience.”
The trend Hagens would like to see happening is to see less of the “set every crossover to 80 Hz” mentality. “The idea that this is the correct thing for every situation just doesn’t hold water,” he says. “With that in mind, the best trend is using high-pass filters on the main speakers, not only just helping with integrating the sub and the speaker, but alleviating the heavy lifting of, say, 40 Hz downward from the main speaker and its amplifier. More headroom, less distortion, maximum performance.”
