Bass Outside the Box

Almost everyone loves bass, whether it's in current pop music that often plumbs the low octaves or the incredible action soundtracks of modern movies. While some high-end speakers can deliver excellent bass performance, a subwoofer (frequently more than one) is essential for a home theater. In this blog, we'll recap what a home theater subwoofer brings to the cinema experience in Park City, UT, and introduce an exciting new product from SVS, a renowned subwoofer brand. Ready? Please keep reading!

SEE ALSO: Design-Friendly Home Theater Soundproofing

The Essential Subwoofer

While large high-fidelity speakers can often get to sound frequencies at 30Hz and below, subwoofers go lower. For music, many instruments can take advantage of this lower bass, like kick drums, double bass, pipe organs, and even the lowest piano notes, adding additional depth and richness to the music. For movie soundtracks, subwoofers add the physical element of sound, so you not only hear but feel the explosions, roaring jets, earthquakes, and other effects. 

The subwoofer also takes a sizable load off of other speakers, as reproducing low bass takes considerable power from amplifiers. Blending subwoofers into a system lets the other speakers shine and perform better. Subwoofers often come with built-in or matched external amplifiers optimized for the subwoofer systems. 

The Aesthetic Challenge

Ask any designer or homeowner who cares about design, and the idea of a boxy subwoofer doesn’t excite. Most subwoofers are small to large cubes that take up considerable floor space without adding anything to the aesthetic. Some are even larger, especially dual-driver subwoofers for home theater housed in large rectangular cabinets. Fortunately, many options now exist for architectural subwoofers that nestle discreetly in the walls (and some in ceilings) like other speakers. In the past, there was more of a performance compromise with in-wall models compared to freestanding ones, but with the latest drivers, consruction, and amplifier technology, that compromise has virtually disappeared. 

The New SVS 3000 In-Wall Subwoofer

While there are a number of architectural subwoofers available from well-known manufacturers, this new product from SVS is special. The brand is renowned for specializing in subwoofers and offers incredible value relative to price for the performance of their products. The new SVS 3000 in-wall subwoofer is typical of this, offering a compelling performance story. To start, it incorporates dual nine-inch drivers optimized for acoustic output and thermal efficiency from a compact enclosure. SVS makes a full line of award-winning freestanding subwoofers, so they employ everything they know about producing great bass in this model. In particular, massive magnets, a vented motor structure, and a separate, rack-mountable, Sledge 2500-watt peak amplifier drive the subwoofer to chest-pounding levels bigger than the relatively compact size would suggest. 

All that bass needs solid construction, especially when installed in a wall. Aircraft-grade aluminum reinforces the baffles on the MDF frame to create a sonically inert enclosure for the drivers. A detachable, paintable magnetic grill finishes it off, although you can hide these subs behind an acoustically transparent screen or decorative cloth in your theater. As a plus, if you want to go dual subwoofers like many theaters do, one Sledge amplifier can adjust to drive both. SVS also provides an app that helps calibrate the subwoofer remotely and change presets for music, movies, or other personal preferences. 

Experience all the richness of the visceral experience of sound from movies and music with a home theater subwoofer, with no large cube taking up space in your theater. Show and Tell AV can help you create the ultimate home cinema experience in Park City. To learn more, contact us here or start a chat below—we look forward to assisting you!