Subwoofers Simplified

Subwoofers are often misunderstood. Most people know they’re meant to produce low notes and sounds, but don’t quite understand why they might need one. Oftentimes, one’s first introduction to a subwoofer is when they hear one behemoth of a note that shakes the room - something which is great when watching a movie that calls for it, but quite off-putting when you’re trying to listen to something but all you hear is are overloaded bass notes. 

Simply put, subwoofers are speakers that reproduce the very lowest audio frequencies. Properly integrated subwoofers add thrill and liven up the action in movies, even with the most modest of audio systems. But the problem with subwoofers is that when they’re not integrated properly, they’re all you can hear. As much as we love bass and the power it has to make the room shake and our hearts thump, finding the right balance is key. 

If you use your system for movies, a subwoofer will work wonders, especially if you have a smaller speaker system. Good quality subwoofers can produce more than just loud, one-note bass and can really enrich the sound of your music. 

One of the biggest challenges we face when building audio systems is the placement of a subwoofer. When it comes to the compromise between where a subwoofer looks best and where it sounds best, aesthetics often take priority over acoustics. Low notes are easily affected by walls, corners, and furniture in ways that can drastically diminish sound quality. 

With KEF subwoofers, this compromise is no longer an issue. KEF uses an ingenious equaliser that compensates for any room placement issues by adjusting the low-frequency output according to placement near walls, corners, and cabinets. They even adjust for apartment living, giving you the best possible bass and keeping you in your neighbour’s good books. 

KEF’s Wireless Subwoofer Adapter Kit means that the placement of your subwoofer is no longer limited. KW1 eliminates the need for bulky cables between your amplifier and subwoofer. All you need to do is connect your KW1’s transmitter to your amplifier’s output, then connect its receiver to your subwoofer. You’re then free to place your subwoofer anywhere in your room without compromising performance. 

While most people believe that the size of the subwoofer matters, it’s not always a case of the bigger, the better. Size shouldn’t be a main consideration when choosing a subwoofer, because the quality of the design and manufacture are equally important. Just like any other speaker, subwoofers produce their bass by moving air, so the design and driver performance are both critical for a great experience. 

Before buying your subwoofer, consider what you need. If you live in an average home, you won’t need a huge subwoofer. A driver of just 10 to 12 inches can fill a room with deep bass and can work well with your existing speakers. In fact, a properly designed subwoofer featuring a driver as small as 6.5 inches can do a fantastic job of producing the low notes every movie and music fan wants to hear. KEF offers a line of subwoofers in varying sizes to meet both your acoustic and aesthetic needs. 

Connecting a subwoofer is simple. Use the LFE output on your amplifier or receiver, or a pre-amp output if your receiver or amplifier doesn’t have one. If your receiver doesn’t have either, you can use the subwoofer’s high-level input just by connecting the speaker output from your amp to the high-level input on the subwoofer. Always consult your user manual before connecting your subwoofer. 

Subwoofer connection is even easier with LS50 Wireless II. All you need to do is connect the RCA cable to the SUB output on your speakers - there’s a SUB connector on both speakers for ultimate ease. Once it’s connected to your LS50 Wireless II, you’ll be able to control the subwoofer’s volume from the KEF Connect app.

The addition of a subwoofer can enhance any speaker system. They’re user-friendly, high performing, and very easy to set up.

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