It will probably be difficult to figure out the components of an audio system just by looking at it!  There are so many different parts that contribute to the high quality sounds exuded by an audio system that it would take a novice quite some time to figure it all out.  If you are interested in picking an audio system to pieces, you could probably start with a component like the subwoofer.

By definition, a subwoofer is a complete loud speaker for either a car audio system or a home system that is used to reproduce low pitched audio frequencies, also known as the “bass”.  A novice would probably be more familiar with the term “bass box” than the term “subwoofer”.  The typical subwoofer is between 8” and 21” in diameter, so your choice of component would basically tie in to the amount of space you have to store it.

Now, as a novice to audio systems, you should probably figure out how to tell a cheap subwoofer from a high end one, just to make sure you get value for your money.  Although you may not necessarily intend to install it yourself, you definitely need to know which type to get.  Here are some tips for telling the difference between a high end subwoofer and al cheap one:

  • The typical frequency range for a high end subwoofer is between 20-200 Hz.  This is the standard for consumer products like car audio systems and home audio systems.  If the frequency range is lower than that, you probably won’t get good quality sound.
  • When connected to an audio system, a good subwoofer will have enough power to spit out the kind of power behind the low end audio you’re looking for.  Cheap car subwoofers will definitely lack the power to give you the “bass” you need.
  • Another factor to consider with a subwoofer is the quality and precision of the sound.  A cheap subwoofer will not be able to go deep enough to give you a worthwhile bass level, and the cheap ones that do will not offer the kind of precision to give clean, clear depth.
  • The wattage of a good subwoofer will be 100 watts or more.  Anything lower than that is not worth your money.

Using the tips outlined above, you should be able to easily identify a quality subwoofer that will give you the quality low end audio you are looking for in your car or home audio system.

Article tags: cheap subwoofer