Down-firing on carpet? Does it matter?

[KASR]

So I'm looking at a second sub and it looks like I can get a pretty darn good deal on a down-firing sub. The question I have is whether or not a down-firing sub sounds good sitting directly on the carpet, or since the bass produces slow/long waves does it matter? What's the best way or place to position a down-firing sub?

Thanks in advance!

 

[j_garcia]

It does make a small difference, but nothing that I would be concerned about.

 

[speakerman39]

So I'm looking at a second sub and it looks like I can get a pretty darn good deal on a down-firing sub. The question I have is whether or not a down-firing sub sounds good sitting directly on the carpet, or since the bass produces slow/long waves does it matter? What's the best way or place to position a down-firing sub?

Thanks in advance!

Well, it all depends on how deep your carpet is AND how heavy your sub is. I have (2) Outlaw LFM-1Pluses that have a down-firing driver as well as down firing ports. They are also quite heavy. So, I just ordered (2) of the Grammas. Now, it sounds even better. Here is a link:

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/GRAMMA

Hope this helps simplify things for you. Let me know if I can be of any further assistance.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[j_garcia]

Yeah, well if you have 4" thick carpet, it could be a problem As long as the driver doesn't touch the floor, it should be fine.

 

[mazersteven]

Purchase a Down-Firing subwoofer with an integrated Bass-Plate.

 

[speakerman39]

Yeah, well if you have 4" thick carpet, it could be a problem As long as the driver doesn't touch the floor, it should be fine.

John, my carpet is not that thick. However, my Pluses sounded okay, but sounded at times to be smothered if you will. I decided to try the grammas and to my surprise they made a big difference. My subs now sound tighter and cleaner. They no longer sounded blanketed. The Pluses though are heavy. Just thought I would mention the grammas.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[j_garcia]

My sub is quite large, but it also has a built in pedestal as well. I don't doubt that the grammas help with where you have these two sub located. What kind of floor is beneath you? Wood? Concrete?

 

[speakerman39]

My sub is quite large, but it also has a built in pedestal as well. I don't doubt that the grammas help with where you have these two sub located. What kind of floor is beneath you? Wood? Concrete?

Good question John. I reside in a mobile home so I am not too sure. It is soft whatever it is. My guess is that it isn't MDF, but more like hardboard. With the grammas, the Pluses don't sound as muffled and it has made a big difference. Of course, my room is very small too. Not sure if that helps or not. But, it may.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[j_garcia]

Well, whatever it is made of, it is going to vibrate then So the result of isolating them from the floor should make a noticeable difference. I experienced this also when going from my former upstairs apartment with a wood subfloor to a house and the room where I have the HT has a concrete subfloor - big difference in what I feel in terms of bass; there is no sympathetic resonance in the floor anymore so it takes away some of the rumble.

 

[speakerman39]

Well, whatever it is made of, it is going to vibrate then So the result of isolating them from the floor should make a noticeable difference. I experienced this also when going from my former upstairs apartment with a wood subfloor to a house and the room where I have the HT has a concrete subfloor - big difference in what I feel in terms of bass; there is no sympathetic resonance in the floor anymore so it takes away some of the rumble.

Sounds logical. I guess the Grammas are basically doing the same thing. Maybe not quite as good as concrete, but better than if they were just on top of the carpet. Getting the Grammas was good decision for my application. Thanks for sharing John.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[Jacksmyname]

My subs are a Mirage S10 stacked on top of a Mirage S12.
Carpet, on 8lb. padding, concrete slab.
The Mirage subs are forward firing, but have downward firing ports.
Anyone have knowledge as to whether carpet or a reflective surface would be better?

Thanks
Jack

 

[speakerman39]

My subs are a Mirage S10 stacked on top of a Mirage S12.
Carpet, on 8lb. padding, concrete slab.
The Mirage subs are forward firing, but have downward firing ports.
Anyone have knowledge as to whether carpet or a reflective surface would be better?

Thanks
Jack

Jack, I am not too sure it is a good idea to stack the subs like that. I use to own a Mirage S10 as well as a S12. However, not at the same time, but if I did I would not stack them myself. Perhaps other members here can shed some light on this better than me.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[Jacksmyname]

Jack, I am not too sure it is a good idea to stack the subs like that. I use to own a Mirage S10 as well as a S12. However, not at the same time, but if I did I would not stack them myself. Perhaps other members here can shed some light on this better than me.

Cheers,

Phil

Hi Phil.
Actually, stacking subs is very commonplace; some people like me don't have placement options for dual subs.
I have a large, open floor plan, but one place only for a sub. While the S12 alone was pretty good, it wasn't enough for the large space. I had the S10 in a second system, so I decided to try stacking. Works great. With the recent addition of the Anti-Mode 8033 (an auto-EQ device for subs), the place rocks.
But I still wonder sometimes if a reflective surface under the S12 would make it even better.

 

[speakerman39]

Hi Phil.
Actually, stacking subs is very commonplace; some people like me don't have placement options for dual subs.
I have a large, open floor plan, but one place only for a sub. While the S12 alone was pretty good, it wasn't enough for the large space. I had the S10 in a second system, so I decided to try stacking. Works great. With the recent addition of the Anti-Mode 8033 (an auto-EQ device for subs), the place rocks.
But I still wonder sometimes if a reflective surface under the S12 would make it even better.

Hi Jack, I am aware of stacking. However, most people that do use the same exact subwoofers. That is what I meant. Hey, if it works for you that is all that really matters. Personally, I would rather use two identical subs but that is me. Have owned both the Mirage S12 and the S10. I was really impressed with both of them, but never owned them at the same time. Hope it continues to work for you Jack.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[Jacksmyname]

Hi Jack, I am aware of stacking. However, most people that do use the same exact subwoofers. That is what I meant. Hey, if it works for you that is all that really matters. Personally, I would rather use two identical subs but that is me. Have owned both the Mirage S12 and the S10. I was really impressed with both of them, but never owned them at the same time. Hope it continues to work for you Jack.

Cheers,

Phil

Thanks Phil. Only reason they're not the same is that I just happened to have both. I had bought the S10 when we lived in a smaller house. Not long after, Mirage had to discontinue the S12 due to a contractual issue with Energy, so I grabbed one ($499, which was the same price I paid for the S10).
Anyway, I'm very pleased with the results but I'm not crazy about the "look" of stacked subs (heresy, I know). So I keep reading about the different brands with the thought that I may find one that will serve me well, but can fit in the only space I have (the Mirages are just the right size).
Thanks again.

 

[speakerman39]

Thanks Phil. Only reason they're not the same is that I just happened to have both. I had bought the S10 when we lived in a smaller house. Not long after, Mirage had to discontinue the S12 due to a contractual issue with Energy, so I grabbed one ($499, which was the same price I paid for the S10).
Anyway, I'm very pleased with the results but I'm not crazy about the "look" of stacked subs (heresy, I know). So I keep reading about the different brands with the thought that I may find one that will serve me well, but can fit in the only space I have (the Mirages are just the right size).
Thanks again.

I understand Jack as my little ht room is very small. However, I do not have to deal with a WAF and as such it is fine. Hope you get things set-up the way you want it.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[ironmike86]

Imo if the subs are @ the same quality if you stack them you won't be able to tell much. When you put them on different ends of the room you can tell more. But being stack the sound comes from one spot and blends. Imo for HT you won't be able to tell for music you may. I agree same subs should sound better but there ppl who add a MBM to there set up . Just depends on what you have and where. My Valor blends nice with my PB10.I belive the S10 and S12 stack will work well.
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f98/ironmike86/setup/DSC06121.jpg

 

[speakerman39]

Imo if the subs are @ the same quality if you stack them you won't be able to tell much. When you put them on different ends of the room you can tell more. But being stack the sound comes from one spot and blends. Imo for HT you won't be able to tell for music you may. I agree same subs should sound better but there ppl who add a MBM to there set up . Just depends on what you have and where. My Valor blends nice with my PB10.I belive the S10 and S12 stack will work well.
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f98/ironmike86/setup/DSC06121.jpg

I agree here Mike. However, the Mirage S12 and the S10 both have down-firing ports. My concern here was how the S10 atop of the S12 would sound. I own (2) LFM-1Pluses and would never put one on top of each other due to them having down-firing ports as well as down firing drivers. It may sound okay, but would I do more damage than good by doing so. I think you see how I was thinking.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[ironmike86]

Down firing yes it may sound different. I wasn't considering that. But it wouldn't hurt to try? But the ports are only on the bottom? So I would think you would only have a problem when maxing out the sub but it could make the bass sound distorted? Ports are suppose to have a few inches to breathe.Guess all the op can do is try a carpet with or without to see??

 

[Jacksmyname]

In my case with Mirage's down-firing ports, there's plenty of clearance between the S12 and the carpet, and the S10 and the top of the S12.
Or course, all I have to do is turn the gain control on the 12 all the way down and just listen to the 10, and see what it sounds like on it's own.