What subwoofer to go for and do cheap amps affect bass quality?

[cat]

Can someone explain what "boomy bass" really means? Is it just some loud noise that doesn't translate to physical impact? Do you hear it more than you feel it or does it have the same level of impact?

If I'm getting this right, "boomy bass" refers to having a lot more bass around the 40Hz range, right? That sounds like a good thing! since I'm after that body-rumbling, chest pounding bass, it seems like it could be just what I'm looking for!

When it comes to proper bass, are you supposed to only feel it and not hear it? Is there a term for this?

I have a budget of 1 lakh, and I want bass that's powerful enough to run through my body. Since bass is my main priority, I plan to put most of my budget toward a powerful subwoofer. This means I’ll skip an AVR and go with a 2.1 setup powered by a budget Fosi amp with a sub-out.

Will using a cheap fosi amp affect the bass quality? Could it limit the subwoofer's potential/performance?

I’ve heard that different amps or AVRs can impact how a subwoofer sounds, but I’m not sure how. Since an active subwoofer doesn’t need power from the amp, it just needs signals to produce low frequencies aka bass, right?

Do different AVRs or amps actually make a subwoofer sound better or worse? Does a budget Fosi amp send a lower-quality signal compared to an AVR, or is there no difference in how it affects bass?

The room measures 17 by 11 feet with a ceiling height of about 10 feet. Do you think a subwoofer within this budget can fill the space and provide those deep rumbles or chest pounding bass? If not, how much more would I need to invest, and which subwoofer would actually deliver that kind of performance?

 

[Shabtab]

You can look for SVS sub woofers they are one of the if not the best in business.
PB1000 and SB1000 are two options at that price.

Also the boomy bass you are talking about is probably, bass on much high frequencies, almost mid bass territory.

Think of it like mid bass = Punch, (Dub-Dub)
Sub bass = rumbly, the kind of earth shaking, vibrating sensation you get. (Brrrrr-Brrr)

It's easier and cheaper to get good mid bass sounding subs, but for proper subbass requires frequency lower than 30hz, now that comes expensive.

 

[ajuvignesh]

If you want chest hits you should look at subs that does midbass well. There used to be midbass modules available. But not sure if it is still available. Professional subwoofers doesn’t go low but has midbass enough to give hit to the chest feel.

 

[cat]

Also the boomy bass you are talking about is probably, bass on much high frequencies, almost mid bass territory.

Think of it like mid bass = Punch, (Dub-Dub)
Sub bass = rumbly, the kind of earth shaking, vibrating sensation you get. (Brrrrr-Brrr)

It's easier and cheaper to get good mid bass sounding subs, but for proper subbass requires frequency lower than 30hz, now that comes expensive.

Is this mid bass powerful enough to produce a strong rumble that I can feel throughout my body instead of just a weak vibration in the seat?

 

[cat]

If you want chest hits you should look at subs that does midbass well. There used to be midbass modules available. But not sure if it is still available. Professional subwoofers doesn’t go low but has midbass enough to give hit to the chest feel.

I'd prefer body rumble over chest hits.

 

[ssf]

I have a budget of 1 lakh, and I want bass that's powerful enough to run through my body. Since bass is my main priority, I plan to put most of my budget toward a powerful subwoofer. This means I’ll skip an AVR and go with a 2.1 setup powered by a budget Fosi amp with a sub-out.

If you are looking for body rumble bass in movies, you will have to go with a AV Receiver as it will decode the .1 LFE channel too which a stereo amp cannot do. For just music, you are better off with a stereo amp with a subwoofer out.

 

[Yelamanchili manohar]

I'd prefer body rumble over chest hits.

There are things like "bass shakers" to be fitted underneath the seat for that body rumble.

 

[hifimaddy]

There are things like "bass shakers" to be fitted underneath the seat for that body rumble.

View attachment giphy.webp

 

[Yelamanchili manohar]

Can someone explain what "boomy bass" really means? Is it just some loud noise that doesn't translate to physical impact? Do you hear it more than you feel it or does it have the same level of impact?

If I'm getting this right, "boomy bass" refers to having a lot more bass around the 40Hz range, right? That sounds like a good thing! since I'm after that body-rumbling, chest pounding bass, it seems like it could be just what I'm looking for!

When it comes to proper bass, are you supposed to only feel it and not hear it? Is there a term for this?

I have a budget of 1 lakh, and I want bass that's powerful enough to run through my body. Since bass is my main priority, I plan to put most of my budget toward a powerful subwoofer. This means I’ll skip an AVR and go with a 2.1 setup powered by a budget Fosi amp with a sub-out.

Will using a cheap fosi amp affect the bass quality? Could it limit the subwoofer's potential/performance?

I’ve heard that different amps or AVRs can impact how a subwoofer sounds, but I’m not sure how. Since an active subwoofer doesn’t need power from the amp, it just needs signals to produce low frequencies aka bass, right?

Do different AVRs or amps actually make a subwoofer sound better or worse? Does a budget Fosi amp send a lower-quality signal compared to an AVR, or is there no difference in how it affects bass?

The room measures 17 by 11 feet with a ceiling height of about 10 feet. Do you think a subwoofer within this budget can fill the space and provide those deep rumbles or chest pounding bass? If not, how much more would I need to invest, and which subwoofer would actually deliver that kind of performance?

The amplifier power required will depend on the effeciency of the woofer. If you have space to accommodate an open baffle subwoofer, then these are very efficient and dont need much power. SB Bianco OB350 will be perfect for the job :

SB Audience Bianco-150B350 15" Open Baffle Woofer

SB Audience Bianco-150B350 15" Open Baffle Woofer Highlights: Proprietary cone paper material made in-house Vented pole piece for reduced compressio

diyaudiocart.com

Below is a more compact deisgn with the same drivers, originally posted by @aeroash .

Thread 'Unrestrained Mystery OB Subwoofer Finale'

Oct 7, 2022

Open Baffle Subwoofer built by Javad Shadzi - (just sharing here)

Some quotes from Javad on these.

Unrestrained Mystery OB Subwoofer Finale
I designed and built an open baffle speaker system last year called the Unrestrained Mystery, you can read about it here: https://m.facebook.com/groups/DIYLoudspeakerProjecPad/permalink/1400546016967898/
In a small room...

• aeroash
• Replies: 16
• Forum: DIY

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[sandeepmohan]

Can someone explain what "boomy bass" really means? Is it just some loud noise that doesn't translate to physical impact? Do you hear it more than you feel it or does it have the same level of impact?

You don't feel boomy bass. You hear it. The other part to the boomy bit is that you're not hearing the sub woofer. You're hearing the room instead. Its the result of bad acoustics in the room and less to do with the sub woofer.

Yes, a cheap, poorly built sub woofer will make matters worse or just won't fill the room with any bass so it pays attention to size the sub woofer based on the room. The bigger the driver, the better the results is my take on sub woofers. You drive them less hard too and they can still fill the space with sound. Cabinet construction quality, the internal amplifier all make a difference.

Chest thumping, stomach hitting bass is something you will enjoy for 5 minutes and after that you'll regret it. You're ears will start bleeding. Its best you hear the bass than feel it rumble the floor. Its enjoyable on a movie clip. Not over a sustained period.

I can't really advice you over what specific sub woofer brand and model to buy. Most are good. Buy one from a good loudspeaker brand is all I can say.

Listen to a Polk Audio Monitor XT12 at Pro Fx. This is a pretty darn good sub woofer for the money. If this does not please you, then you're looking at 2x or 3x the cost.

You can go with a Fosi Audio amplifier provided it can drive your main speakers. If it can't, then all you will hear is bass. I can't comment on how good the pre out is as I have never used one. I have more confidence with an AVR or full size stereo integrated amplifier from a reputable brand that has a dedicated sub woofer pre out.

 

[liverpool_for_life]

Can someone explain what "boomy bass" really means?

When folks label something as "boomy bass", it generally means that a particular bass frequency (or a set of bass frequencies) doesn't decay quickly enough relative to the rest of the bass range. This can lead to one-note bass and loss of detail in the mids and HF.

When it comes to proper bass, are you supposed to only feel it and not hear it?

AIUI, one can hear tones down to 16 Hz. Anything below you merely feel.

Will using a cheap fosi amp affect the bass quality?

Doubt it.

Could it limit the subwoofer's potential/performance?

The dimensions of the room, flexibility in subwoofer placement and where you sit have the biggest impact on the translation of your subwoofer's potential into performance.

If not, how much more would I need to invest, and which subwoofer would actually deliver that kind of performance?

I'd recommend taking a look at the Rhythmik 12 inch sealed subs to get what you're after. Might need a pair though, which would effectively double your budget.

 

[ketansethi1987]

I have a budget of 1 lakh, and I want bass that's powerful enough to run through my body. Since bass is my main priority, I plan to put most of my budget toward a powerful subwoofer. This means I’ll skip an AVR and go with a 2.1 setup powered by a budget Fosi amp with a sub-out.

The Fosi amp does not give enough pre out signal. You will need to turn up the gain all the way to the full and even then the subwoofer will not be loud enough. You can use high to llow level impedance converter and convert the high level speaker output from the Fosi amp to low level RCA signal to attach the subwoofer. I have tested it and this will work well.

Also do consider bass shakers/ tactile subwoofer. No subwoofer will be able to fulfil your requirement of bass going into your body. You need to be physically connected to the subwoofer enclosure to get that.