What Is A Car Subwoofer?

What Is A Car Sub Woofer?

Do you know what a car subwoofer is? Would you like to find out? In essence it is a speaker not in a box enclosure ( although they can and are often put in boxes ) with extra power running to it courtesy of an amplifier. The purpose of a car sub woofer is to deliver low frequency bass sounds in the music being played. Usually the octaves consistently delivered by sub woofers are missing from normal range car audio systems with speakers. Some music is specially created specifically for bass and are commonly known as bass tracks.

Not All Car Subwoofers Are The Same:

Basically subwoofers are of either a passive or powered type. A passive subwoofer setup will get its' power from the car audio system. A powered type of setup will get its power delivered independently of the car audio system being used. Car subwoofers are commonly put into box enclosures that they are mounted on and then placed into a suitable place in the car which is usually the boot area. Car subs vary significantly in size with usual ranges being from 8 inches to 60 inches. These days you can pick them up relatively cheap online from places such as ebay.

Car Subwoofer Setup Arrangement:

So far we know most subs are mounted in boxes but they can also come in a tube mounted format. Typically a sub will have an amplifier connected to deliver the power required. The power delivery requirements are significant so for that reason an amp is pretty much a necessity. They also typically take up a lot of space so be prepared to give up that room in order to accommodate your car subwoofer. You can find more info on subs at http://www.subwoofersinformation.com

Buying Your Own Car Subwoofer

Go for the best one that your budget can withstand. If you can't quite afford the good ones in retail outlets then have a look at online auction sites such as ebay. There are some real bargains on there. Remember, buying a used car subwoofer in great condition and decent quality could be better than buying a new one that isn't very good. Even though car subwoofers are considered a luxury item, many car audiophiles would not go without this piece of kit in their setup.


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Article by Richard Davies at Subwoofers Information => More free information and advice on everything you need to know about subwoofers and picking a car subwoofer at => Subwoofers Information

Exclusive collaboration reveals exciting audio entertainment innovations

Jaguar’s new C-XF concept car, unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show, features next generation audio solutions from renowned sound expert Bowers & Wilkins. Emphasising the company’s reputation for audio excellence and innovation, Bowers & Wilkins’ first foray into the automotive entertainment arena reveals a range of technologies, materials and techniques, many of which make their debut.

Applying over 40 years of experience to the challenges of achieving great sound in the automotive environment, Bowers & Wilkins’ engineers have developed a unique in-car audio system, featuring Micro-Matrix speaker panels, ‘Bass Beam’ low-frequency driver technology, Kevlar® cone midrange speakers, diamond-dome tweeters, selective-directivity arrays in the rear passenger compartment, and a rear deck panel featuring a full complement of bass and wide-dispersion drivers.

Within the C-XF concept car, Bowers & Wilkins demonstrates a clear understanding of the challenges in reproducing sound effectively in-car, combining high-performance materials and technologies and integrating them into the Jaguar’s luxury interior. “The in-car environment is very complex,” says Martin Lindsay, Senior Business Development Manager at Bowers & Wilkins Automotive. “Restricted space, differing materials, and the need to satisfy multiple entertainment needs pose unique and often conflicting requirements.” Bowers & Wilkins has been involved in the concept car’s development from the start, and each element of the system has been devised using technologically-advanced concepts aimed at ensuring the best possible sound experience throughout.

This collaboration marks the beginning of Bowers and Wilkins’ relationship with Jaguar and selected partners to develop and deliver next-generation premium audio solutions. The system created for the Jaguar C-XF attests to Bowers & Wilkins’ acoustic expertise and signals the company’s commitment to bringing audio innovations to the car. “We recognise that consumers demand high-quality sound reproduction in their cars as well as in their homes,” continues Lindsay. “Achieving great sound in the car is viewed as the latest technological challenge for us, and we look forward to realising next-generation sound systems that set new standards for in-car entertainment.”

Bowers & Wilkins’ custom ‘audio concept’ system includes:
Jewel-like front and rear speaker panels utilising patented Micro-Matrix material, designed to deliver improved stiffness and damping properties. The material adds strength, avoids vibration and makes good use of the limited space typically available in the interior of the car.
‘Bass Beam’ low-frequency driver components, mounted in the doors, promoting structural integrity and superior audio imaging. Finding an ideal space for subwoofers in the car has always been problematic. This innovative design makes incorporation within the car’s doors possible and provides an optimal implementation for the achievement of forward stereo imaging and concentrated ‘up front’ bass.

Incorporation of Kevlar® cone drivers in the dashboard and doors, designed to achieve smoother response throughout its frequency range. The end result is that these speakers deliver more fine detail to the listener and eliminate off-axis tonal-balance problems.
Diamond-dome tweeters combined with award-winning Nautilus technology deliver unmatched high-frequency performance. The elements in the C-XF are taken from Bowers & Wilkins critically-acclaimed 800 Diamond Series loudspeakers. The tapered NautilusTM tube is now replaced by a compact, spiral version which damps unwanted reflections from the rear side of the tweeter element.

Selective-Directivity arrays under DSP control accurately direct full-range audio, creating improved clarity for back seat passengers while avoiding driver distraction. These components help achieve the goal of soundstage optimisation in response to changing passenger entertainment needs. These can be used to cover all listening conditions. For multichannel surround entertainment, these drivers help to deliver a seamless presentation front to rear.
Rear deck panel designed to create an even sound experience with a central-mounted bass driver and two flanking wide-dispersion drivers.