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Q: I recently setup a home studio with a 2.1 monitoring system, and the bass sounds kind of, well, just bad.

I setup the monitors the way the diagram showed, but I just placed my sub on the floor next to my desk.

Is there anything I should keep in mind when positioning my subwoofer?

A: Positioning your subwoofer(s) can often be a difficult task and the relative locations are not the same for all rooms.

A certain amount of experimentation is to be expected, particularly when outfitting a studio with a new monitoring setup.

The main requirement is that the location of the subwoofer not be audibly apparent.

One method for locating an optimal position is to place the subwoofer(s) near the listening position and play program material with significant low-frequency content. Then, listen at likely subwoofer locations around the room and choose the location that delivers the smoothest bass response.

This location is apt to be the best choice for final subwoofer placement. Remember that the signal to the subwoofer is band-limited anywhere from 80 to 120 Hz and that as the crossover frequency rises, the ability to localize the loudspeaker position increases.

Because the LFE channel may have content up to 120 Hz, it is recommended that the sub crossover be set at 120 or bypassed (as the bass-management filter will provide the necessary rolloff).

However, keeping the crossover frequency for the bass-managed channels low (80 Hz) provides the greatest flexibility in positioning the subwoofer.

Many home studios and control rooms are often set up in a symmetrical design, making it tempting to locate the sub in an equally symmetrical location (for instance, along the center line under the front speaker, or right next to your desk).

However, a symmetrical placement in a symmetrical room often creates symmetrical standing waves and thus, an uneven room response. Placing the sub slightly asymmetrically may produce a more satisfactory result. Using a second sub can also help smooth out uneven room response problems.

 
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