Sub placement against the wall

I need to know if it is better to place your sub right up against the wall so the ports fire directly into the wall. should there be space in between the wall and your sub and if so what would the optimal space one should leave in between?
Post edited by skippy_doo on

Comments

  • trubluluc
    trubluluc Posts: 2,067
    edited October 2002
    Welcome.

    Near the wall will yield the most bass reponse, in a corner even bigger sound.
    How close is too close? I'd say leave at least 3-4 inches.
    When in doubt we experiment.
    "yes yes Igor I'm coming."
    Got to go.

    Play with it , put it where it's sounds best to you.
    Too much boom? move it out from the wall some, or use less nitro glycerine in the mix.

    trickortreat,

    -Luc
  • capitan100
    capitan100 Posts: 172
    edited October 2002
    i like to have mine placed about 6 inches from the wall..it yeilds best results for me.

    As trubluluc says...experiment. Listen to your ears....
    Home Theater
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    Hitachi 62 inch HD TV

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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,194
    edited October 2002
    I agree,
    everyroom is going to react different.I'd start with a front corner install,keep it away from the wall,a foot should be ok to get started.....then start moving it up and down the sidewall in 1 foor movements.If worse results occur,try sliding back and forth across the front wall,in small 1 foot steps.

    Then the phase switch.........or placement in the front 1/2 of the listening room,I have found leaving it in the 0 position seems to work out the best.After the 1/2 mark,then phase seems to be needed........
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
  • skippy_doo
    skippy_doo Posts: 4
    edited October 2002
    i know this is going to sound funny but i never fully understood what my phase switch does. is there a noticable difference between the two setting. and if so what exactly does it do? and thanks for the help with the sub placement
  • capitan100
    capitan100 Posts: 172
    edited October 2002
    Yeah please tell me. i have no idea either. I have tried to flip it back and forth and I can't personally tell a difference.
    Home Theater
    Sony DA7ES 7.1 A/V Receiver
    Sony DVP-NC80V - SACD/DVD player
    CS400 - Center channel
    RT2000i - Fronts
    RT1000i - Surrounds
    a/d/s MS3/u - subwoofer
    Hitachi 62 inch HD TV

    2 Channel Room
    Niles HDL-4 Speaker Selector
    Niles HDL-6 Speaker Selector
    Sony V555ES receiver
    Sony DVP-S7700
    Polk SDA-2B
    Polk Monitor 5
    Thiel 03a
    B&W 2001 ZMF
    Signet SL-250 B/U
    a/d/s L400e
    Wharfedale Valdus 100SE
    Polk PSW 350 - subwoofer
    Pioneer Elite Big Screen
  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited October 2002
    i dont' know the difference either. but on my 350... one flip makes is sound just a little bit louder bass.
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
  • skippy_doo
    skippy_doo Posts: 4
    edited October 2002
    i know one flip but what way? normal or reverse?
  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited October 2002
    normal
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
  • ggiordano
    ggiordano Posts: 1
    edited November 2002
    The phase switch is used to minimize the effects of standing waves. Basically, depending upon your speaker/sub placement, sound waves will cancel each other out.
    The result is less bass impact.
    Reversing the phase prevents the sound waves from cancelling each other.
    Bottom line is, whichever sounds best to you is correct.
  • MxStYlEpOlKmAn
    MxStYlEpOlKmAn Posts: 2,116
    edited November 2002
    LOL.....speaking of a phase switch, my old 15 year old M&K..dont even have one...so ya'll should feel really special right? lol....i thought that was kinda funny....lol
    Damn you all, damn you all to hell.......
    I promised myself
    No more speakers. None. Nada. And then you posted this!!!!
    Damn you all! - ATC
  • Tom323
    Tom323 Posts: 2
    edited November 2002
    A subwoofer will sound good if there is some air between it and any walls nearby. Bass sound is omnidirectional and travels in all directions. thats why when placed in a corner it seems to be louder. Since bass freqs are long waves you use the phase switch to invert the wave hitting you near where your sweet spot is(the place in the room you have determined is the optimal listening spot, where you should sit). Play your sub, and walk around the room...see if you hear it more at the back of the room, or you hear it more at your sweet spot. Switching the phase will change where the wave falls in the room.

    Tom