Beginner question about my sub

[jbenjamin]

Hi, I'm brand new to this whole posting on a forum thing and also new to the av thing. Forgive me if I make a few mistakes. I did a lot of research on here and other sites before purchasing my setup, and so far have been very pleased with what I got. Thus, here I am to ask for help.
First, what I have in my (humble) 5.1:

-Onkyo tx-sr608
-Monitor 50's l/r
-CS2 center
-Monitor 40's rear
-PSW10

My problem is this. I'm building an entertainment center to protect my plasma and house my other equipment, and I'm wondering if I can put the sub in the bottom corner of said cabinet. I've checked the location in the room and it sounds good, but I don't know about the effects a cabinet would have on it if any. Does anyone have any experience with something like this?

Reasons for wanting it in the cabinet are small room, my wife, and I like things organized.
Thanks.

[halo71]

Welcome to CP!

I'd say if it sounds good to you in that location then go for it. Funny how the wife always fits into the equation somehow isn't it? lol

[mudwrx]

I agree. If it sounds good then that's all that matters.

Although one may wonder if it would be easier to build a cabinet around the wife...

j/k ;)

[spock 2054]

I agree. If it sounds good then that's all that matters.

Although one may wonder if it would be easier to build a cabinet around the wife...

j/k ;)

That's funny...

Cabinet placement might be a problem if the sub is down firing - and it might rattle items in the cabinet. Just a thought.

[ZackaryJim]

That's funny...

Cabinet placement might be a problem if the sub is down firing - and it might rattle items in the cabinet. Just a thought.

Porting might be a consideration too. The PSW10 is front firing and front ported, so as long as it doesn't have anything obstructing the front of the speaker you should be fine. If you ever upgrade (I have a PSW10, and love it. But with your setup, you could definitely use some more power to balance with everything else) just take into account the design of the speaker. Sealed units, like Definitive Technology's, will be the best for placing inside cabinets. I would also stick to front firing. You could also get away with down firing, as long as you've got room to let it "breathe" behind the cabinet.

If you're going to be setting it on the base of the cabinet (ie on wood, instead of carpet et al), just make sure you do your best to decouple the sub from the cabinet. Use the rubber feet on the the PSW10. Auralex actually makes pad specifically designed to isolate subs from whatever they're sitting on. Links below.

Post some pics when you're finished!

http://www.swee****er.com/store/detail/SubDude/
http://www.auralex.com/sound_isolation_subdude/subdude.asp

[onthefenceman]

Porting might be a consideration too. The PSW10 is front firing and front ported, so as long as it doesn't have anything obstructing the front of the speaker you should be fine. If you ever upgrade (I have a PSW10, and love it. But with your setup, you could definitely use some more power to balance with everything else) just take into account the design of the speaker. Sealed units, like Definitive Technology's, will be the best for placing inside cabinets. I would also stick to front firing. You could also get away with down firing, as long as you've got room to let it "breathe" behind the cabinet.

If you're going to be setting it on the base of the cabinet (ie on wood, instead of carpet et al), just make sure you do your best to decouple the sub from the cabinet. Use the rubber feet on the the PSW10. Auralex actually makes pad specifically designed to isolate subs from whatever they're sitting on. Links below.

Post some pics when you're finished!

http://www.swee****er.com/store/detail/SubDude/
http://www.auralex.com/sound_isolation_subdude/subdude.asp

This is all good advice. Per the previous poster, you'll definitely want to leave 3-4" of cabinet space all around if you're using a rear or bottom-ported subwoofer. If you want to run the system with the door closed you can put in a door with a cloth or metal screen and make sure it had rubber stops to minimize rattles.

When deciding where in the cabinet to locate the sub, keep in mind that the closer to the corner of the room the sub is located the more natural room gain you'll get. This will let you turn down the gain on the sub and give you more headroom.

One last thought--the most common error I see in setup is to have the subwoofer gain turned up too high. When watching a movie you'll want to be able to hear the difference between the thump of a door closing and the blast of an explosion. If you have the gain turned up too high on the sub, every little rumble will max out the sub and will become fatiguing over time.