Good subwoofers add a lot to the movie-watching experience. A sub 20Hz subwoofer for home theater is thought to be the holy grail. So how important is a subwoofer that can hit 20Hz? We’ll break down the home theater benefits of a subwoofer that can output frequencies below 20Hz.
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What Is A Sub 20Hz Subwoofer?
Subwoofers are vital components to make home theater systems feel immersive and sound good Whether in a large or small room, subwoofers will transform your low-end. Subwoofers reproduce bass and sub-bass better than any other type of loudspeaker. They are completely dedicated to delivering great bass. This is unlike typical speakers that reproduce different frequencies. No mid-range or high frequencies. A quality home theater sub also allow also allows your other speakers to focus on higher frequencies by utilizing crossover settings.
Subwoofers reproduce low frequencies. A sub 20Hz subwoofer would be a subwoofer that can output frequencies below 20Hz. Bass actually includes two separate types of bass. There are bass and sub-bass frequencies. Bass frequencies range from 60Hz to 250Hz. The frequency range of sub-bass is 20Hz to 60Hz. 20Hz is the lowest frequency within the audible range of human hearing. Why would you need a subwoofer to output a frequency your can not year? What frequencies are audible will vary from person to person. There is another reason though. Just like other low bass frequencies, you can feel bass below 20Hz.
Do I Need A Sub 20 Hz Subwoofer For Home Theater?
Low frequencies are important whether listening to music or watching a movie. You’ll always want to pair a subwoofer with your speakers for truly great bass. Very low frequencies (below 30Hz) are much more likely to be found in movies though. Soundtracks use low-frequency sound effects throughout movies to convey emotions and set the scene. A sub 20Hz subwoofer is not a requirement to enjoy this. I’d argue there are other things more important (clean bass, more power, etc). At the same time, who would say no to a subwoofer that can reproduce a wider frequency spectrum?
A subwoofer that can not output frequencies below 20Hz will miss things in some soundtracks. Bass below 20Hz can really be felt. Bass that low gives a guttural feeling in the pit of your stomach as few things can. Yet many movies won’t even include frequencies that low. Suspenseful basslines in a horror movie? Sudden and thundering bass that shakes the room for an explosion in an action movie? You will still get much of that experience with a subwoofer that doesn’t output lower than 20Hz. A subwoofer that hits below 20Hz is more of a niche desire for most eager home theater enthusiasts.
What’s A Good Subwoofer Frequency Response?
A question like this really needs context. Cost and sound quality are the other part of the picture. Taking all that into account, a good subwoofer frequency response to aim for is around 22 to 25Hz. Meaning a frequency response that starts at least 25Hz up to 200Hz. We’ll explain why. Let’s start with the cost.
Frequency Response and Price
A 12″ ported sub is a popular choice for home theater. 12″ drivers are a good compromise of size and power. And a ported sub can do more with less power. A subwoofer with a port can produce deep bass more efficiently than a sealed sub. You will find many entry-level or budget 12″ ported subwoofers with frequency ranges that start around 30Hz. I think the average consumer will be content with this option. These ported subs typically start around $150. As you approach $400, you will start seeing more subs that dip below 30Hz. Some will just have better peak power, design, sound quality, etc.
Starting at $400-$500, you will see many more ported subs that output as low 19Hz-25Hz. One reason we like the 25Hz number is the value provided. You can find the options in the $300-$500 range before costs really start to spike.
Frequency Response and Sound Quality
Another reason 25Hz is the sweet spot is the sound quality. And it’s really more of a warning to look at more than a frequency response. Don’t sacrifice clean bass for big bass. There is more to quality, strong bass than the frequency. In the $300-$500 price range, you may find a quality subwoofer that can’t quite 25Hz. It’s still worth the money if they can produce great bass that is accurate and distortion-free. The Jamo C 912 is a great example. It’s actually well under $300 and has a frequency response of 29Hz-125Hz. It also has accurate bass reproduction, good peak power, and great connectivity options.
Bass shouldn’t be boomy just for the sake of big bass. Avoiding subs with distortion and unwanted boomy bass is key to a hi-fi audio experience. You’ll have to focus on more than the frequency response for this. You get what you pay for and you can’t have it all. Aim for quality bass over specs. Good material and build quality are also important. A speaker driver, enclosure, and voice coil that are well-made will help avoid issues like bottoming out in the future.
What Size Subwoofer Has The Deepest Bass?
All things equal, bigger subwoofers will more easily produce deep bass. Bigger subs will require less power. Subwoofers drivers move air through excursion to move air and create low-frequency sound. Larger drivers and enclosures are able to move more air. That’s why larger subs are preferable for deep bass. Room size is always a limitation of home audio though. For that reason, 12″ and 15″ subwoofers are the largest you will typically find in most home theaters. The top subwoofers won’t always capture all your wants. Generally, larger subwoofers will provide lower frequencies though.
Room gain, room size, power handling, peak power, subwoofer settings, and location are also other considerations for quality bass. The right settings will depend on the receiver or amplifier you are using. Connecting via LFE to an AV receiver with a sub pre-out is the simplest option. It’s always best to start with a quality subwoofer. It’s also important to know proper bass management isn’t cut and dry.
In Conclusion: Understanding The Frequency Spectrum
Subwoofers are great for home theater. Who doesn’t love to hear and feel the low-end during a movie-watching experience? It really adds to the audio experience and immersion of cinema. That can all be accomplished without a subwoofer that outputs bass below 20 Hz. When purchasing a subwoofer, focus on what you are getting for the price. Clean bass that is free of distortion is more important to a hi-fi audio experience than frequency response.
Keith Collins has been writing for over 15 years for various publications. He’s a lover of music, home theater, and excellent sound quality. His fondness for technology in addition to his non-stop curiosity fuels his writing ventures.