Newbie needs help with Subwoofer placement

[jkelley]

We just bought our firsr home theatre. We have limited space and a big entertainment center. We would like to place subwoofer on top of entertainment center but wondering what problems we might encounter.

 

[Sheep]

No no no, not up there. If it vribrates enough, it might fall. Subwoofers should always be placed on the floor, or in a cabinet, but ONLY in a cabinet if it is front ported or sealed(no rear, side, top, or bottom ported AND firing subwoofers, as well as passive radiator designs).

There is a subwoofer placement guide, right here on audioholics!

http://www.audioholics.com/techtips/audioprinciples/loudspeakers/hometheaterspeakerlayout.php

Also, you can try "Crawling for bass". Put your subwoofer in your listening position and play bass heavy music. Crawl around the room and find the spot where the bass is the loudest AND most defined. Corners are always the loudest spot, but can cause the subwoofer to sound boomy. This method is the best way to find good bass if you have an oddly shaped room.

Hope this helps,
SheepStar

 

[jkelley]

Is falling the only issue? If it does not effect sound quality and it can be protected from falling, would it work?

 

[Sheep]

Is falling the only issue? If it does not effect sound quality and it can be protected from falling, would it work?

Well, unless the subwoofer is EXTREMELY poorly designed, it won't vibrate that much to move, but they are heavy non the less, and you don't want them falling. BTW, which subwoofer is this?

Personally, I have never listened to a subwoofer on a shelf. But if it is far away from a wall (and ceiling and floor) it won't be much of a subwoofer. It needs a floor (or/and wall) to load itself on. A booksheld, or stand is not big, or sturdy enough.

Remember, the subwoofer can go ANYWHERE on the floor. Front, side, back of the room. It doesn't have to be in front of you.

SheepStar
EDIT: this is how my subwoofer is setup.