I've placed one of my subs in a TV unit because cosmetically, there's no where else for it to go. It sounds a little one-note-wonderish. Am I better off without it?
Whether the TV unit is open where the sub is, if it can be opened up on the back side if not, orientation of the sub, etc., may be relevant. But again, without some pics, drawings, or something, it's hard to make useful suggestions.
Also, is that location just poor from a room mode standpoint? Does that sub sound bad in a nearby location outside the TV unit?
Also, is that location just poor from a room mode standpoint? Does that sub sound bad in a nearby location outside the TV unit?
Hi, your description is short but it sounds like you'd be better without it. If sound is distracting and its overall nuisance, then good riddance. If it sounded good you wouldn't be asking, right?
Do you have capability to integrate it better? Problem with small subs is that they really don't have the lows but only make impression by reproducing mostly frequencies around crossover, and its hard to integrate to mains, especially if there is no DSP in the system. If one attenuates the highs for better integration there really is no lows, or try to boost lows only the highs get louder (distortion), so useless. At least this is my impression playing with one years ago and listening to friends media systems with suit case sized "subs".
Why not try equalising the resonance. If you don't have much choice on location, and if the sub doesn't also rattle. I'm guessing the resonance is localised and not caused solely by room position.
Those subs may be a bit one-note-ish just by design. And just adding more subs isn't going to improve sound.
The old way to do multiple subwoofers is to place them symmetrically around a room. This uses room geometry to get even bass response, and the results depend 100% on placement.
The modern way to do multiple subwoofers is to use DSP. Then the positions of the subs doesn't matter as much. To adjust them you take measurements and use DSP to tune the bass response. The delay creates the same effect as if the subs are positioned in different places.
Unfortunately getting great bass isn't cheap or easy. And the reason we DIY is because the affordable "subwoofers" are not very good, and the subwoofers that are good are big and expensive.
I've seen, in some cases, flat-screen distortion due to sub/bass vibrations.
Tap on the center of your flat screen, does it cause a distortion of the picture on the screen?
Well so would nearby heavy bass from a subwoofer.
My small sub is on the floor beneath my tv stand.
Tap on the center of your flat screen, does it cause a distortion of the picture on the screen?
Well so would nearby heavy bass from a subwoofer.
My small sub is on the floor beneath my tv stand.
My question was about the one sub. The LGs are speaker stands. The one-note sub in question is simply a Tannoy 'box'. I sold the feet, the driver and the plate-amp. The box was well-constructed and well-braced so I utilised it rather than send to a landfill. Removal of the plate amp provided an extra litre of internal volume. The port was flanged both ends. I extended it by 25mm to lower the tuning frequency.
It's not the greatest subwoofer in the world. It works for movies because its behaviour is very on/off. But at a cost of (minus) $60 it was fun to play around with.
But to answer my own question - it sounds better, warmer out of the cubby-hole.
It could be that the sub excites a cavity resonance based on the internal dimensions of the cabinet. Looking at the cabinet depth it's probably between 100 - 200 Hz.
