You’ll find some of the key differences between different models and brands of 18 inch subwoofers in the market to choose the simplest 18-inch subwoofer according to your needs. Then have a look at this buying guide, which can explain some key features of the 18-inch subwoofers mentioned in in previous article.
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While selecting your 18 inch Subwoofer and before making a purchase, there are several things to consider. I’ve explained below all aspects to consider while purchasing your first 18-inch subwoofer:
Things to consider for an 18-inch subwoofer
Power
Maximum power is simply that: absolutely the peak power that the speaker can handle, but only for brief bursts. No subwoofer is capable of working at just its peak power. That’s what the RMS number means, which is vital for understanding the continual peak power that the subwoofer offers. Check both numbers to make sure that your new subwoofer will function as a part of your audio system.
Enclosure
The best 18 inch subwoofers will feature an enclosure constructed out of a durable, hard material, which will enhance the subwoofer’s heavy-duty nature. One of the simplest materials for this purpose is MDF (Medium-density Fiberboard). The thicker the fabric, the more durable and hard-wearing the subwoofer will be.
Rubber feet are a crucial consideration for the speaker’s steadiness. Metal corners and a metal grille (preferably made of steel) will ensure that your 18 inch subwoofer is heavy-duty and won’t break or be damaged easily.
Portability
The two main attributes that contribute to portability are the planning of the handles and, therefore, the weight of the unit. An ergonomic design – often with handles inside deep recesses – will make carrying much easier.
And then, of course, the lighter the 18 inch subwoofer is, the better it’ll be to hold,d too, but you would like to make sure that the speaker isn’t so light that it’s going to move around when the bass is pumping through it.
Voice Coil
When it involves the voice coil in an 18 inch subwoofer, you’ll tend to have a choice between a 3-inch voice coil or a 4-inch voice coil. The difference between the 2 is minimal, and this feature should only be considered together as part of the subwoofer. There’s no got to simply choose one subwoofer over another due to the difference in the voice coil.
Mountable Stand or Pole
If you’re trying to find an 18 inch subwoofer for live performances, then check if it’s pole-mountable, as this will be handy.
Difference Between Powered/Active and Passive 18 inch Subwoofer
A powered or active subwoofer – also referred to as a lively subwoofer – will include an amplifier inside it, whereas a passive 18-inch subwoofer doesn’t include an amplifier inside the cupboard. This suggests that a powered subwoofer is right for people who are employing an audio system that doesn’t include a 3rd party amplifier, whereas a passive subwoofer is merely for people who have a sound system that has an amplifier.
Expert Tip
Don’t forget that deep bass and maximum power aren’t everything when it comes to a subwoofer. If you’re planning on using the subwoofer for live performances, then you need to confirm that it isn’t a hassle to hold.
Check that its handles are either ergonomically designed or recessed so you don’t need to struggle whenever you carry it into a venue. Of course, the lighter it is, the better this may be too.
Did you know?
Raymon Dones is the man who first patented the idea for a subwoofer back in 1964. He then went on to style the Octavium subwoofer, which became very fashionable with tons of massive musicians in the 60s and 70s, including The Grateful Dead.
Conclusion
Some great 18-inch subwoofers on the market will provide you with the deep bass your current audio system is lacking. The absolute best 18-inch subwoofers are going to be affordably priced, constructed from heavy-duty materials to reinforce durability, offer you tons of peak power and continuous maximum power, and they will feature an ergonomic design to make portability easier.
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Frequently Asked Questions 18-Inch Subwoofer
1. Benefits of the 18-inch subwoofer in terms of other smaller-sized subs?
Higher output: Here, subwoofers of 18 inches can be said to produce more bass and far better than any other size, such as 10-inch or smaller. This makes the listening pleasure more immersed and powerful.
Lower frequency response: They can manage to bring out very low frequencies,s making one listen to a wider audio system range.
Improved room-filling sound: The reason why 18-inch subwoofers fill a room better with low-frequency sound is that the output of 18-inch subwoofers is big, and for some audio listeners, this is almost crucial in that audio experiences become more balanced and wrapped around.
2. What to I consider when choosing an 18-inch subwoofer?
Power handling: The subwoofer must be able to handle your amplifier’s power output, else it will get damaged.
Sensitivity: The higher the sensitivity, the more output from the subwoofer for any given amount of power
Cabinet type: sealed, ported, or band pass. Enclosure will depend on your preference as well as the listening environment.
Size and position: Take into account the physical dimensions of the subwoofer and the amount of free space in your room when choosing a location.
3. How to install an 18-inch subwoofer properly?
Location: Try a couple of different locations in your room and find the location that sounds best with minimal reflected resonance.
Level matching: Use your audio receiver or amplifier to match the level of the subwoofer to all of your other speakers.
Crossover frequency: In your receiver or amplifier, you will have to adjust the crossover frequency so that the subwoofer is set to process the correct range of frequencies.
Room correction: If you want to take it up a notch, you can use room correction to fine-tune the performance of your subwoofer for the room in which you’ll be listening.
4. For a smaller-sized listening room, can I get away with using an 18-inch subwoofer?
While this would work, an 18-inch subwoofer in a smaller room would indeed be producing too much bass and may even become overbearing.
In the case that there isn’t much space, then perhaps you want to go with a smaller subwoofer or explore sealed enclosures, which will further dampen the sound
