Does it matter if downward firing sub fires into carpet?

[DanH12]

Right now I am looking into getting the Hsu Stf-2 sub which is a down firing sub. When I looked at speakers yesterday, an employee at Best Buy and at a local speaker shop told me not to use a down firing sub if I have a carpet or concrete floor because it could absorb/change the sound. I thought this wasn't an issue because bass waves are non-directional? My home theater room is in my basement, my floor is concrete and I have a carpet floor on top of the concrete. Can carpet or concrete affect the performance of a down firing subwoofer? Would the Hsu Stf-2 be affected by this even though it has legs? Should I build a platform to raise the sub up on so that it is not firing directly into the carpet? Or, should I just get a front firing sub?

 

[Jeff R.]

I would not be concerned about it. I have 2 down firing subs on a concrete floor with out any carpet. I do however have them on isolation pads....I would just plan to buy an isolation pad regardless of what surface the sub was on. My experience with these pads is very positive no matter what your floor surface is. I have used mine on carpeted, wood and concrete with an overall improvement in performance.

 

[Steve81]

Right now I am looking into getting the Hsu Stf-2 sub which is a down firing sub. When I looked at speakers yesterday, an employee at Best Buy and at a local speaker shop told me not to use a down firing sub if I have a carpet or concrete floor because it could absorb/change the sound.

Erm, where could you use a down firing subwoofer then? Tile or hardwood floor? If those sales guys speak the truth, that's very bad news for Hsu given over half of their subwoofer lineup is down-firing. OTOH, sales guys are notoriously full of baloney...

 

[slipperybidness]

Erm, where could you use a down firing subwoofer then? Tile or hardwood floor? If those sales guys speak the truth, that's very bad news for Hsu given over half of their subwoofer lineup is down-firing. OTOH, sales guys are notoriously full of baloney...

Salesmen and businessmen not being honest or spitting out bad advice? Unbelievable

 

[GlocksRock]

I have a downfiring sub and it's sitting on a carpeted floor, and I have no problems with it.

 

[roleydre]

i put a wooden shelf under my down firing sub,i think it sounds fine

 

[theJman]

The expectation is that your sub will be used on a carpeted floor, so not only is it OK you could even say it's recommended. AAMOF, manufacturers will often stipulate you place their sub on a carpet remnant if you have hardwood floors.

As mentioned though, a riser or isolator would be a wise choice for concrete because that does have a tendency to alter the sound. They're a good idea anyway, but perhaps even more so for concrete.

 

[timoteo]

No it doesn't matter AT ALL!!!!