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Subwoofer Speakers

Our range of high-performance subwoofer speakers are available in both active and passive designs to suit a wide variety of audio requirements, from a professional events PA system up to a full ground stack bass reinforcement for a stadium or touring concert rig.

Bass Speakers and Subwoofers

Even the very best full range loudspeakers will struggle to provide bass below a certain frequency, and pushing them to do so will cause the midrange to suffer badly, and likely cause speaker driver damage. It’s a simple case of physics and mechanics that the main woofer cannot perform the large travel required by subsonics and still be providing the more restrained movement for producing the rest of the signal.

The often extreme driver movement of ultra-low bass also requires a lot of current from the amplifier, and can cause an excess of heat buildup making the unit suffer and often fail. This is the point when you must look at seperation of your bass production from the main PA system.

Amate subwoofer speakers stacked on the ground at a concert
Amate 18-inch subwoofer speakers in front of a stage

Types of Subwoofer Speakers

A dedicated subwoofer system is designed specifically to produce just those lower frequencies. The woofers are custom built to withstand the long cone travel and to vent the excess heat buildup from the coil which would destroy most speakers. The cabinets are tuned to enhance the woofers sound by channeling or venting the excess air which relieves the negative pressure from the rear of the speaker. 

Though you will find subwoofers in sizes as low as 8-inch for HiFi use, for serious PA usage you should only really be considering units between 15-inch or 18-inch as standard, as anything less simply won’t produce the desired sonic results, or provide the longevity expected. 

Due to the electrical current required by the large diameter drivers at these low frequencies, most professional subwoofers will be rated at anything from 1000w up to 4000w or higher, with either onboard amplification, or a passive enclosure that requires an external amplifier system.

Amate subwoofer speakers with pole mounted tops
Amate subwoofer speakers with pole mounted array tops

Subwoofer Specification

Subwoofers are run in mono, and have input crossovers that are set to reproduce any signal below the specified frequency cutoff. Professional live PA subwoofers such as the Amate Audio units can be set as low as 30Hz for truly outstanding sub bass performance.

Active subwoofers are popular with live bands and for DJs doing larger events. Their onboard amps are specifically designed to run that particular unit, and will often include either a digital crossover or full DSP system for fine control over the systems output. Active systems have also become significantly more powerful and reliable in recent years with the changeover to Class-D amplification.

As a general rule, subwoofers installed into clubs and venues, or those used in touring rigs will usually be the passive type. This is for several reasons, though the most obvious is simply access, as once installed or flown, you cant get to the rear to make adjustments to an amp unit, with it being far easier to have all amplification in one rack, with a speaker management system controlling the signal feeds and crossover settings.

Our selection of subwoofer systems are all in the mid to high performance level bracket, with both active and passive units in single 15”, 18” , dual 15”, dual 18” and monstrous 21” units for nightclub and arena use.

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