Audio: Loudspeakers/ SubwoofersBy: Cody Williams

Subwoofers

 

•Subwoofers: Subwoofers are, in all simplicity, a piece of technology that transforms the energy of music into a series of compressions and rarefractions which cause vibrations and bass.

Parts of a Subwoofer

There are many parts of a subwoofer. They include the:   •Spider•Surround•Electromagnet•Voice Coil•Basket•Cone•Gasket

Types of Subwoofers  •Loudspeakers and subwoofers are made in many different variations. They are classified initially by being either passive or active. Passive subwoofers need a driver or stereo, an eclosure, and an external source of power known as an amplifier in order to function properly. Active subwoofers need all the same things, however rather than having an external source of power, have an amplifier that is already built into the subwoofers system. Subwoofers are then classified by size which is determined by the diameter of the speakers face. They range from about 8 inches all the way to even 20 inches. There are also subwoofers unique in their design such as the square faced Kicker Solobaric Subwoofer.

Active SubwooferPassive Suwboofer

Subwoofer Enclosures  •A subwoofer enclosure is meant to do exactly what its name means. It houses the subwoofer and allows for a sturdy placement of the subwoofer where it can generate bass from an enclosed, protected air space. There are many different types of subwoofer enclosures including:•Normal, Sealed Enclosure•Ported Enclosure•Bandpass Design•Free-air System

Normal, Sealed Enc.Bandpass Design

Free-air SystemPorted Enclosure

Subwoofer Technology  •Some major advancements have been made within subwoofer technology. From the worlds largest subwoofer made for car audio which is made by MTX audio and weighs 369 pounds! Or even the Matterhorn, produced out of U.S. military request for a loudspeaker that could project infrasonic waves over a very far distance. The Matterhorn can produce a constant 15 Hz sine wave tone at 140 dB for 24 hours a day, seven days a week with extremely low harmonic distortion. Anything above 85 decibels can be harmful to human hearing!

MTX Jackhammer SubwooferMatterhorn