What is a Free Air Subwoofer?
If you are considering buying a free air subwoofer, this article is for you. Here, we will help you answer the question, “What is a free air subwoofer?”
Also, we will provide you with valuable information to help you buy something that suits you best. So, without further ado, let’s get into the details!
Table of Contents
What Is a Free Air Subwoofer?
A free air sub has no box and will act like the passive speaker.
This sub does not feature an amp. So you must connect this device with your external amplifier if you want to power it.
This sub is part of the full-range audio system, and you can find it between speakers or in a room’s back. These speakers should deliver low frequencies.
The free air subs will not need the enclosed mounting space to be productive. Also, they use the same tech as other woofers yet with a few differences.
It is true to say that these subs are usually more powerful than the standard woofers, meaning that a free air sub will deliver more bass sound than an average woofer.
Buying a free air sub is often more expensive than purchasing a traditional woofer. But the good news is that it’s worth the money.
Why Should You Purchase A Free Air Sub?
There are many good reasons to invest in a free air sub.
Less Expensive
If you have been utilizing free sub or amplifiers for a while, there are still many amazing discounts and deals on the premium model. For example, buying a premium product would require paying about $100 for the same performance.
Related: What is LFE on a Subwoofer?
Get Support And Updates For Free
The good news is that subs are now under warranty in most cases.
Assuming your sub stops working one day. If it is still within the warranty period, the manufacturer will assist you in repairing or replacing it free of charge.
If you do not need the warranty, buying a device at a discounted device is feasible. Also, the premium subwoofer features frequent support and updates.
Better Quality
Quality should be critical in determining whether your speaker is bad or good.
The best speaker will come with top-notch technology, materials, design, and construction. Unfortunately, these models are often costly, so various choices are available out there.
If your budget can afford it, going with it is okay. But a subwoofer can perform great if you are willing to buy quality products.
Do Not Must Take Time from Other Project
Let’s say you need to focus on multiple projects. Fortunately, it is unnecessary to worry about installing your subwoofer. However, you will still need to complete a few setup works when setting up your subwoofer.
Better Music Sounds
You can expect to enjoy better music sounds through a premium sub. Your speaker is more crisp and responsive as you can pick out your sound’s details.
In most cases, it is one of the best reasons to invest in a good-quality sub.
Pros and Cons of the Free Air Sub
Free air sub is well worth the investment. However, no one is perfect, and this speaker is no exception. So let’s take a look at its pros and cons.
Pros
Cheaper
Although not cheap, the free air sub is still affordable. It is cheaper than an enclosed subwoofer with the same power and size.
But it does not come with an amplifier and a sub-enclosure. So, if you own an amplifier and are on a tight budget, the free air sub is your best bet.
Do Not Need Much Power
The free air subs require less power from the car amp than an enclosed subwoofer with the same power and size rating.
Space-Saving
You can easily and quickly mount this speaker on your car’s door.
It will work great in space-limited settings, like smaller vehicles or cars that do not feature much space. You can install multiple subs in your vehicle for free.
Putting a subwoofer in each car door is okay before adding tweeters or speakers to a dashboard. You can get a speaker system that has multiple subwoofers.
Cons
The Bass Is Not Booming
This sub does not produce earthshaking and booming bass, making it imperfect for bass enthusiasts who require earth-shaking bass.
The Bass Isn’t Tight.
This subwoofer is free to operate in an open-air environment.
It cannot deliver tight bass like the enclosed subwoofer, making it less than ideal for those who want to have the tightest and most precise bass.
Things to Consider When Buying Free Air Subwoofer
Countless models are available in the market, making it difficult for the inexperienced to choose.
So if you’re feeling overwhelmed, consider the following factors when buying.
Power
You need to decide between a powered subwoofer and an unpowered one.
Although the powered sub will usually produce better music, you will probably need to keep an amplifier you already own.
The unpowered subwoofer will be ideal for those interested in weight and size savings, as an extension cord is all you need.
In addition, this sub will let you hook up an amplifier and utilize it as the sub without being near speakers.
Room Acoustics
The air sub is excellent at producing sounds, but just up to a point. If your room is large, one subwoofer will work well.
On the other hand, if you have a small room, you will need to prepare two subwoofers or more.
Assuming you prefer to utilize subwoofers in many rooms, it is essential to ensure your speakers aren’t going to hit your walls and ruin your speakers’ performance.
Accessories
Last but not least, when buying a subwoofer, you must determine what accessories you intend to use.
Sub Amp
You must own it to utilize speaker-level control (treble/bass controls/volume). If you go with the powered subwoofer, you need to use a sub amp to power it.
Speaker Cable
You should consider buying this cable for the subwoofer. Most powered subwoofers feature different outputs and inputs than the typical amplifier.
Sub Cable
The sub cable will connect the sub’s speaker output to your amplifier input. The more costly your cable, the more quality of signal you can get from it.
Sub Amplifier
It is worth considering buying a subwoofer amplifier that lets you play multiple frequencies in a system at the same time.
It will be helpful if you own both a woofer and a sub, allowing you to use one for playback surround-sound or stereo while the other for responding to deep bass.
The Bottom Line
We’ve given you the answer to “What is a free air subwoofer?” with lots of valuable information. There are many reasons to invest in quality air subwoofers.
These speakers are not too expensive for most people, making them a fantastic investment that can last a long time. So you can expect it to be a great addition to the home audio setup. Thank you for reading!