Down firing versus front firing

Karzai
Karzai Posts: 5
edited November 2009 in Speakers
I am just wondering about what are the benefits of a down-firing subwoofer and a front firing one.

How about top firing subs? are there such?
Post edited by Karzai on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Krazyz1
    Krazyz1 Posts: 256
    edited October 2009
    I recently bought a pair of Polk DSW 400 PRO. They come configured for down ward firing , but you can buy optional grills to convert them to fire forward. If you plan on this conversion you will need 90 degree power cord and SHORT 90 degree RCA adapter cause all controls will be very close to floor. To the best of my knoledge rule of thumb down for H.T. . Forward for 2 channel. I am running 2 channel down. Forward would be to much I think. Down is working perfect. I talked to 2 different techs at polk running same sub down on 2 channel. Go to a web site www.audioadvisor.com They have a Abyss 300w 12" sub on sale for699.99 ( Manufactured by Martin Logan ) It is unique by the way you put the sub in it's "cradle",you have 4 options on firing angle.Forward , down and 2 different angles between forward and down. If it makes you feel any better reg. price is 1,099.00
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • thuffman03
    thuffman03 Posts: 1,325
    edited October 2009
    Never saw a top firing sub.

    As for down and front I don't know if there is a really big difference. I never had a down firing sub.
    Sunfire TGP, Sunfire Cinema Grand, Sunfire 300~2 (2), Sunfire True Sub (2),Carver ALS Platinum, Carver AL III, TFM-55, C-19, C-9, TX-8, SDA-490t, SDA-390t
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • classic carl
    classic carl Posts: 654
    edited October 2009
    My 2 channel sub has both a front firing and a down firing 10" driver in it. It does the job more than adequately. I have the xover set to 40 hz. My Monitor Audio Silver RS8 towers go down to 33 hz on their own. The sub adds just enough low end help without being boomy.
    Main System 2.3:
    Proton AA-1150 ~ Yamaha C-4 ~ Furman Elite-15 DMi ~ Sennheiser HD600 ~ Monitor Audio Silver RS8/FB210
    (2x) Martin Logan Dynamo ~ Marantz CD5003 ~ Squeezebox Classic ~ Music Hall dac25.2 ~ Yamaha KX-400U
    Dual 1229/Acutex M312 III STR ~ Music Hall mmf-5.1/Goldring 1012GX ~ Music Hall Cruise Control 2.0
    Home Theater 5.2:
    Yamaha RX-V800 ~ Furman Elite-15 DMi ~ Polk RT55i ~ Polk Audio RT35i ~ CS400i ~ (2x) PSW450
    Winter Residence 2.1 (laptop system):
    Yamaha RX-485 ~ Squeezebox Classic ~ Topping D30 ~ EPI 200C ~ Dayton Audio SUB-1200
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • everpress
    everpress Posts: 862
    edited October 2009
    Read on a few forums quickly that the difference is mostly cosmetic. The only only sonic difference is the mid bass produced from subs is generated from the cone, and a majority of the deep bass escapes the box through the ports, if it is a ported sub. So there are those that swear that they can hear this directional difference, though there are no tests to show that the sound is actually radiated any differently.
    If you have kids or a pet, go for down firing... If you like the look of the front firing, go for that, is basically what I read.

    ? Harmon Kardon AVR 55 (dead; replacing with Onkyo TX NR-616)
    ? Polk RTA 11TL's (FR and FL)
    ? Polk TSi200's (RR and RL)
    ? Polk CS10 (Center)
    ? Polk PSW-350
    ? Grado SR-60i Headphones
    ? Fii0 E5 headphone amp
    ? iPod touch (8 gig)
    ? iPod Classic (80 gig)
    ? Mac Mini (as media server)
    ? xbox 360
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited October 2009
    Recently, there appears to be a trend towards front firing opposed to down firing.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Motzart
    Motzart Posts: 1,075
    edited October 2009
    Personally I like the down firing but it depends on a few factors.....
    Is the bottom open and speaker firing directly on the floor?
    Is the floor it's firing into carpet or hard wood?
    (Firing into carpet is no good!)
    Does the down firing sub fire into a open wood bottom?

    Not a lotta down firing ones anymore from what I have seen.
    My Velo front fire really does it's job tho!!

    Then there is the ported verses non ported debate......

    Yamaha RX-A710 90Watt 7.1
    Mains: RTi A1's Center: CS150 Sats: RT15i's Sub: Velodyne DPS-10
    Music CD: Sony CDP-CE375 5 Disk
    HD TV: Vizio 42" LCD 1080p E420VO
    Blu-Ray: Sony BDP-S350
    DVD: Sony DVP-NC665P 5 Disk
    AV Rack: Sanus Euro EFAB-II Audio Base x2 EFAS-II Audio Expansion Shelf x4
    Cables Used: Monster Cable HPD Sony HDMI DLCHE18W
    Phones: Sennheiser HD280 Pro
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • obieone
    obieone Posts: 5,077
    edited October 2009
    I don't know the science behind this subject, and this is JMO, but, Down= HT, Front= Music.
    I refuse to argue with idiots, because people can't tell the DIFFERENCE!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • max mike
    max mike Posts: 8
    edited October 2009
    There is a big difference if you have pets or small kids. If you have either down firing may save you some serious grief.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kawizx9r
    kawizx9r Posts: 5,150
    edited October 2009
    obieone wrote: »
    I don't know the science behind this subject, and this is JMO, but, Down= HT, Front= Music.

    My front firing HSU-project sub rocks everything here for HT. Bluray content under 20hz is definitely felt from this thing. :cool:
    Truck setup
    Alpine 9856
    Phoenix Gold RSD65CS

    For Sale
    Polk SR6500
    Polk SR5250
    Polk SR104


    heiney9 wrote: »
    Any clue how to use the internet? Found it in about 10 sec.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Karzai
    Karzai Posts: 5
    edited October 2009
    thanks for all the input guys.

    the answer that has made more sense to me is that the orientation has something to do with music or home theater sound options.

    I have a carpeted floor and from what motzart said, why did polk not advise on this? they are even encouraging the use of down firing sub on carpeted floors (look at those spikes for carpets).

    any thoughts on these?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • chrisfromalbany
    chrisfromalbany Posts: 41
    edited October 2009
    I think something is being missed... I thought downfiring took more abuse on the woofer due to having to fight gravity when firing the woofer. Side wont have this issue.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited October 2009
    Karzai wrote: »
    I am just wondering about what are the benefits of a down-firing subwoofer and a front firing one.

    How about top firing subs? are there such?


    My PSW1000 is sideways firing, with a woofer on either side. If I wanted to I could knock the house down by turning it up, but I'm not a basshole. :rolleyes:
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,563
    edited November 2009
    Face wrote: »
    Recently, there appears to be a trend towards front firing opposed to down firing.
    I don't know about any trends Face but I can attest to this with my audio travels. When using certain down firing subs on a suspended wood floor or second story [with or without carpet], there is a delay that becomes rather annoying. It's almost like the vibration and part of the sound wave reaches the listening position a 1/4 a beat too late. Just imagine getting a powerful drum beat, followed a split second later by another half **** drum beat that was supposed to be only one tight beat. I have yet to experience this with a front firing sub to date.

    Other than that, the "punch" of a front firing sub seems to envelope you more into the music [more accurate a reproduction IMO] and not just provide the room with widespread bass or sometimes "boom".
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter