It is hard to imagine a home theatre system without the characteristic deep bass of a subwoofer. Apart from the crystal clear images that flash across the screen, the sound effect emanating from strategically placed speakers around the room is what really drives the excitement to the next level. A well installed subwoofer system gives out a strong bass that is bound to penetrate all the way to your gut. The work of the subwoofer in a home theatre system or even in a car audio system is to produce the lowest possible audio frequencies.

Types of Subwoofers
Passive Subwoofers
These are powered by external amplifiers in the same way that all other speakers in the home theatre system are powered. However, in order for a subwoofer to produce top of the range bass quality, it needs to output more power to support the extreme bass without straining the amplifier. The exact power needed is quite relative since it will depend on the overall size of the room where it is installed, the speaker requirements as well as how much thumping bass your ears and body can stomach.
Powered Subwoofers
These were developed to solve the problems associated with passive subwoofers such as inadequate power and a weak receiver. A powered subwoofer is basically a self-contained unit that has optimally matched subwoofer and amplifier units. Powered subwoofers produce some of the best beats due to the fact that their design allows the diversion of the power load from the amplifier/receiver unit which is left to power the tweeters and mid-range more effectively.
Passive and powered subwoofers are thus categorized based on the manner that they are powered from the mains. There also exist down-firing and front-firing subwoofers which are thus categorized depending on how they radiate the sound produced. The mounting of the speaker in a down-firing subwoofer is such that it radiates towards the floor. In a front-firing subwoofer, the speaker radiates sound from the front or side.








