Are you a fan of bass-heavy music? Then having a good subwoofer is essential to get the thumping low tones if you want to truly enjoy your car sound system.
While having great equipment helps, it’s not always enough if you don’t know how to properly set up and adjust for optimal audio performance and deeper bass.
To get deeper bass from a subwoofer, try:
#1. Adding mass to the cone lowers the resonant frequency and allows it to play lower, deeper bass.
#2. Adjusting the size and response of the enclosure can also impact frequency response.
#3. Breaking in the woofer by running it with low frequencies for some time to loosen the suspension and improve overall performance.
Tip: When trying different boxes for the same sub, you can make them yourself or purchase different types online.
Many different enclosures are available, but I recommend Skar (link to Amazon).
These high-quality boxes are either empty with bare wood or filled with damping materials, so you can try different types to match your personal bass preferences.
In this article, I will show you how to properly adjust your subwoofer to make smooth and deep bass sounds.
How Can I Make a Subwoofer to Produce Deeper Bass?
If you’re a music lover or movie buff, you know that deep, rich bass can enhance your listening experience.
If you’re not getting the bass you want from your subwoofer, you can try a few things to get a deeper, fuller sound.
#1. Add a Mass to the Cone
One way you can achieve deeper bass from your subwoofer is when you add mass to the cone.
Adding mass to the center of the cone makes it vibrate at a slightly lower frequency, allowing it to produce softer, deeper notes.
However, adding mass to the cone also has a trade-off. Additional mass will make the cone heavier. The sub will be less sensitive to the slightest impulses, so you’ll need more power from your amp to get the same volume.
For example, if you add 14 grams of rubber to the cone, you may need to increase the power of your amplifier to compensate for the reduced sensitivity.
There are a few different ways you can do it, but the most popular is to use a product like Dynamat, a sticky, adhesive material that adds weight and damping to the cone.
It is also easy to remove, unlike other silicone-based products that stick more permanently.
#2. Adjust the Size of the Enclosure
As you can imagine, the size of the subwoofer box can have a significant impact on the frequency response and overall sound of the subwoofer.
Because the box helps to amplify the sound and shape the overall tone, it’s important to get it just right.
Manufacturers use volume recommendations for each subwoofer, which is not a fixed value but a range, and you can make adjustments within this range.
Check this list from DS18 with recommended boxes sized for subs from 6″ to 21″.
If you have a small box, you can expect it to produce a tighter, more controlled sound, but it may not be able to handle the lower frequencies as well.
This is because there will be larger sound pressure inside the box that doesn’t allow the woofer to move as freely.
In effect, this limited (or reduced) movement can affect subs’ ability to produce deep, low-end bass.
On the other hand, if your sub is mounted in the larger box but still sealed, it will have more movement freedom.
The more significant movements can help with the low end, but they may not be as accurate or punchy in the mid and high frequencies.
Many professional car audio systems have several smaller 6.5″ or 8″ subs for strong, fast kicks kike drums and one or two large 15″ or 18″ that are focused on the bass depth.
Those large ones often play frequencies in the range of 20-30Hz, which small 6.5″ subs cannot achieve.
The volume of the box, or the amount of space it occupies, can also affect the bass response. A larger volume box will be able to produce more bass, but it may also be less efficient and require more power to drive it.
There are a few different ways to check and adjust the size and response of the box if needed.
#1. One option is to use a box tuning calculator, which will help you to find the correct dimensions and port size to match your driver.
#2. You can also experiment with materials and construction techniques to fine-tune the sound. Although this is less effective than adding a port to the enclosure, it helps to fine-tune the bass.
You would be surprised how big a difference the material type can make, even with the same driver and box size.
For example, using a denser wood or adding internal bracing to two boxes of the same size. This can also help to stiffen the box and improve the response.
If you place them next to each other, you will notice that each of them will play slightly different depth.
The same effect you can see in the guitars, where two looking nearly identical make different sounds, one warmer and deeper, while another can play the same tones with a slightly sharper or crispy effect.
When you understand the impact of box size and response at the final sound effects, you can get deeper, fuller bass that enhances your listening experience.
Just be sure to find the right balance for your setup, and keep in mind that it may take some trial and error to get it just right.
#3. Breaking in the Subwoofer
If you want to get the best performance from your subwoofer and extend its lifetime, you should not forget to break it in.
Breaking in the subwoofer means running it with a low frequency to loosen the internal parts and reduce the fraction between the suspension and the voice coil.
New woofers from the factory have a tight, stiff suspension, affecting their overall performance.
There are a few different ways you can break in a woofer:
#1. One way is to use a bass sweep, which is a track that gradually increases in frequency from a very low note to a higher one.
You can play this track through your subwoofer for a few hours, after which the suspension will be loosened, but I prefer to extend this and play quietly for several days.
#2. Another option is to play a series of low-frequency tones or music tracks through the woofer for a few days.
Many recommend breaking in a woofer for at least an hour or two, though you can do it longer if you like, and you will achieve a better result.
Just be sure not to turn the volume too high otherwise, you can risk damaging the woofer.
It will not be damaged immediately, but the suspension can be overstressed and badly affect the performance over time.
After you’ve broken in the woofer, you should notice an improvement in how it sounds.
After breaking in, you should have a deeper and slightly warmer bass and be more accurate at the higher frequencies.
You can also notice the difference in the speed when playing fast kicks, but again every sub is different, and some may sound exactly the same but should be able to handle a broader range of frequencies.
Breaking in the woofer is important if you want to get the best performance from your subwoofer, so be sure to try it.
If you want to know more about it, check my other article, which details the breaking-in process for subwoofers.
Conclusion
By understanding and adjusting the factors that affect your subwoofer’s performance, you will get deeper, fuller bass that enhances your listening experience.
Whether you’re adding mass to the cone, changing the box size, or breaking in the woofer (which you should do for a new sub in any case), there are a few different techniques you can try to get the deep bass you want.
Remember that finding the right balance is the key to the best result, and you may need to experiment with different approaches to see what works best for your setup.
With some trial and error, you’ll be able to dial in the sound and get the deep, rich bass you crave.
FAQ
What Can I Do if My Subwoofer Does Not Make Enough Bass?
If your subwoofer does not produce strong bass, you can try a few things to check.
#1. First, make sure a sub is properly connected and the amplifier has the proper setup. Check the wiring, placement, and crossovers with filters to ensure everything is correct.
#2. If this does not help, you may need to use a box of a different (larger) size and add mass to the cone to help the woofer produce lower frequencies.
After you’ve tried all these things and the bass is still lacking, you may need to replace the amplifier with a stronger one or try a different model of a vented subwoofer.
Why Is My Subwoofer Buzzing or Humming?
If your subwoofer is making a buzzing or humming noise, it could be due to connection issues with RCA or power wires. A faulty amplifier can also cause this issue.
#1. First, check the wiring and placement to make sure everything is connected correctly and set up.
#2. Ensure the subwoofer isn’t too close to other electronics, which can cause interference.
If the problem persists, it could be an issue with the subwoofer itself, in which case you may need to have it serviced or replaced.