Downfiring vs Frontfiring Subwoofers

[timechaser]

I tried to search this topic but didnt find any useful material so thought would start an independent thread. If this has already been talked about, can someone guide me please.

Having bought my system recently (I have a downward firing subwoofer), I have been wondering whether it is better to get a front firing or a downward firing sub. I have heard from several sources that downfiring subs are better for music and front firing are better for movies. Is this true? How do you decide which one is better?

I know I can listen to the various subs and decide based on what I hear, but if I think two subs are similar sounding and similar in specs/price, is it better to take a downfiring vs frontfiring etc.?

I hope people will contribute... Look forward to comments

 

[Daz3d&Confus3d]

They both have great engineering behind them (depending on the brand name of course)....but all-in-all you will find top notch down-firing and front-firing subs out there.....I personally am looking at a down-firing model for no other reason other than I don't have to worry bout my 2 yr. old sticking something in the woofer or pounding on it...lol....so if kids are in your future......it maybe something to consider...

 

[timechaser]

Lets assume a situation in which you dont have kids throwing things into the sub's ports, budgies flying in or the cat trying to sleep in it... what would the outcome be then?

I thought more people would debate this topic and we could all get more food for thought... well I hope I get more responses as I am keen to uncover a knowledgable answer to this problem.

 

[AMG_Roadster]

Craigsub has stated in a previous post that some (many, most, all?) subs he has listened to generally do better with the bass plate removed and setting the down firing woofer so it is front firing.

Craigsub if I misrepresented what you said or got something wrong I apologize. Please jump in and correct me if I did.

 

[avliner]

As mentioned above, there's quite an impressive engineering on both, front & down firing subs. Most probably, the difference is minimal.

My own example: I've been using a 12" JBL down firing sub (PB-12) for several years and I was happy with it. Quite recently, I've upgraded to a 10" front firing sub (SVS - PB10-ISD). What a different world!!!

Obviously, the bass quality improved a lot now in all aspects, but let me tell you that I feel like not being a fair comparison at all.
As everybody knows, SVS woofers are far, far better than JBL's.

Perhaps a fair comparison would be, let's say, an SVS front firing against an HSU down firing sub though (just to mention it, as it could also be Velodyne, Polk, Klipsch, Axiom, etc...).

Hope this helps.

Cheers / Avliner.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Having bought my system recently (I have a downward firing subwoofer), I have been wondering whether it is better to get a front firing or a downward firing sub. I have heard from several sources that downfiring subs are better for music and front firing are better for movies. Is this true? How do you decide which one is better?

I know I can listen to the various subs and decide based on what I hear, but if I think two subs are similar sounding and similar in specs/price, is it better to take a downfiring vs frontfiring etc.?

Try a simple experiment. Flip your sub on its side and see what you think. Make sure the port isn't firing into the carpet.

Placement of a sub has a much larger impact than if it's front or down firing. I've found LF travels best around the walls of the room, and not straight out into the room. Corner placement maximizes bass, but will become muddy if it's equidistance from both walls. Offset it a bit. And keep the port at least 4-5" from a wall. I'm sure you'll get plenty of tips on this topic.

 

[Daz3d&Confus3d]

My own example: I've been using a 12" JBL down firing sub (PB-12) for several years and I was happy with it. Quite recently, I've upgraded to a 10" front firing sub (SVS - PB10-ISD). What a different world!!!

Obviously, the bass quality improved a lot now in all aspects, but let me tell you that I feel like not being a fair comparison at all.
As everybody knows, SVS woofers are far, far better than JBL's.

Perhaps a fair comparison would be, let's say, an SVS front firing against an HSU down firing sub though (just to mention it, as it could also be Velodyne, Polk, Klipsch, Axiom, etc...).

Hope this helps.

Cheers / Avliner.

Yeah I think the Hsu vs. the svs would be a closer comparision.....to match a JBL vs. an SVS just isn't fair to that poor ol' jbl.....

 

[Davidt1]

As mentioned above, there's quite an impressive engineering on both, front & down firing subs. Most probably, the difference is minimal.

My own example: I've been using a 12" JBL down firing sub (PB-12) for several years and I was happy with it. Quite recently, I've upgraded to a 10" front firing sub (SVS - PB10-ISD). What a different world!!!

Obviously, the bass quality improved a lot now in all aspects, but let me tell you that I feel like not being a fair comparison at all.
As everybody knows, SVS woofers are far, far better than JBL's.

Perhaps a fair comparison would be, let's say, an SVS front firing against an HSU down firing sub though (just to mention it, as it could also be Velodyne, Polk, Klipsch, Axiom, etc...).

Hope this helps.

Cheers / Avliner.

Thank you for including me in the group of people who know how good SVS subs are, but I must disclose that I have never heard either a JBL or SVS sub.

 

[Buckeye_Nut]

Thank you for including me in the group of people who know how good SVS subs are, but I must disclose that I have never heard either a JBL or SVS sub.

FYI....SVS subs are nasty!!

That means good.....

 

[Tomorrow]

Using the search engine on AH will serve you well with much information on this topic. Downfiring vs. frontfiring subs have been discussed on many threads, here. This one is a good starter for you, Timechaser.

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17168&highlight=downfiring

By the way, I have owned both, and much prefer a downfiring sub for HT impact (at least on a laminate floor with wood subflooring).