Subwoofer Placement (and Potential Domestic Bliss)
Another Important Note:
The following information and further placement and acoustic
recommendations in this manual are based upon our desire for you to enjoy the best possible
performance from your AGA audio system. Of course, we realize that there are other, possibly more
important, considerations when it comes to placing your system components, not the least of which
may be aesthetics and domestic tranquility. We’ve provided this information to give you options in this
regard should you have to choose a balance between aesthetics and audio performance. If we can be
of further assistance, please contact us at www.roundsound.com or call us toll free at 1-800-459-4183
from within the United States, or 818-341-4488 from outside the United States.
With AGA satellites, you can try placing the subwoofer in the same plane as the main speakers—in
front of you and equidistant with the satellites from your listening seat. The smaller and more bass-shy
your main speakers are, the higher the subwoofer will have to operate to meet them.
Unless you use two subwoofers, the sound reproduced by the subwoofer will be mono, which should
not degrade performance. It becomes stereo only where the satellites take over. If you listen to more
music than movie soundtracks, you might prefer two subwoofers. This extends stereo imaging through
the lower midrange/upper-bass range where human hearing is still somewhat sensitive to these effects.
Bass becomes less directional as it goes lower in frequency, so theoretically your subwoofer can be
located almost anywhere in your listening room as long as it is crossed over at 120Hz or below. When it
is crossed over above 120Hz, you may start to hear the deeper part of male voices and other
undesirable sounds coming from the sub. As a general rule, it’s best not to cross over to the sub above
180Hz unless your satellite speakers use very small drivers (2 inches or less) as full-range elements.
In reality, there are potentially better and worse places to put your sub. If you read and follow the
recommendations in this manual, you should end up with better performance than if you arbitrarily
place the sub.
Locating your subwoofer between your front speakers or beside one of them, up against the front wall,
usually provides acceptable bass performance. And this may be a good aesthetic location in an attempt
to keep domestic tranquility. However, due to standing wave considerations (more can be found on our
website about standing waves), we encourage you to experiment with different locations in your room
based upon our recommendations below, until the system sounds the best and is acceptable to
complement your lifestyle (assuming the presence of a sympathetic domestic partner).
13