The Difference Between Subwoofer And Speaker

If you’re planning to be a DJ, singer, holds a music concert or you love listening to music in your home or workshop, sooner or later, you will need musical gadgets. Especially, the subwoofer and speaker which bring out the quality of the input sound.

But, how do you now differentiate between subwoofer and speaker? How do you know their functions in any sound system? No worries, these and other necessary information are what we will be working you through in this article.

Let’s get started!

Table of Contents

What is a Subwoofer?

A subwoofer is a cone optimized sound system that produces low output audio in an effective way. It is commonly known as a bass and is a form of the woofer with a frequency that ranges between 120-200 Hertz.

Types of Subwoofers

Just like the most musical gadget, subwoofers also come in types. They are active subwoofer and passive subwoofer. Although the functions of this duos are similar, however, a professional will be able to differentiate their output sound as their construction is not the same.

The active subwoofer, for example, is a kind of woofer with a built-in amplifier contrary to the passive subwoofers whose external amplifier is driven by an enclosure.

Benefits of a subwoofer

Works to complement the output functionality of other musical gadgets.
Enhances the clarity of sounds and makes the lyrics more audible.
Sound produce by a subwoofer is well-blended, effective and directional, unlike speaker.
Although the frequency of subwoofer is always low, still, they can be heard outside their controlled source.
If the subwoofer is properly fixed and installed, they help complement the beauty of your house and vehicle.

Demerit of a subwoofer

The subwoofer can produce only the lowest part of the audio spectrum.
Since only the lowest part of the audio can be produced by a subwoofer, it cannot be heard at farther distances.
The sound produced by subwoofer is only restricted to bass only.

What is a speaker?

A speaker is an electro-acoustic transducer that receives an electrical signal, converts it to sound and then release it into the air or water medium without any restriction. It may also be regarded as a loudspeaker and it helps propagate and amplify the sound output to the audience.

Although, if the speaker is not well set or organized, sound spectrum release from it may be regarded as noise as there maybe distortion and audible differences in them. However, aside from this, sound produce from the speaker can travel far because of their high frequencies.

Types of speakers

Just like the subwoofer, speakers are of different types. We have the on-wall or in-wall speaker and we also have the normal speaker that can stand alone. Again, there is the tenors, altos, sopranos, and others.

The on-wall speaker type is an ideal of speaker type for people who has little space to keep their speaker as they can be fixed on the ceiling. You can even install some of this speaker type on the wall of your house without their function been altered.

The normal speaker types maybe mobile and are visible. They are mostly used in an opened or closed gathering with many attendees.

Benefits of a speaker

Speaker helps to directly convert an electrical signal to sound.
If properly fix, it also adds beauty to your room or occupied places.
Sound from the speaker also goes directly to the intended place if properly set.
The speaker also occupies lesser space and makes your room free of clutter.
If the speaker is properly placed, it can enhance the size of the baffle bass.

Demerit of a speaker

Speaker produces distorted sound or noise if not well set-up.
Occupy a larger space, especially for musical concert or conference purposes.
Sounds produced from speaker shows audible differences.

Highlighted below are explanation of the differences between subwoofers and speakers.

Frequency set

The major feature that differentiates a subwoofer from a speaker is their frequency range. The frequency of a subwoofer ranges between 20 – 200 Hertz and is the often recommended frequency for home use. But professional users often used 80 or 100 Hertz frequency for effective sound output.

However, the speaker, on the other hand, has a greater frequency that ranges from 20 – 20 KiloHertz. Although a smaller frequency range would be an ideal of choice for home users.

Sound volume

When it comes to sound volume, the speaker takes a dominant role. The volume of sound from a speaker of a specific size is always louder and travel farther in the air than a subwoofer of the same size.

This is the reason why in any musical concert, you will discover that most of the musical instrument for output sound is always dominated by the speaker, compared to the woofer whose sound output is always low.

Sound quality and purpose

Both speaker and subwoofer are designed for a specific purpose. Although, they often worked together to complement each other’s function and enhance your audio output.

For example, if a speaker is well set, it will deliver the best sound quality in the air either in an enclosed place or an opened ground. But if otherwise, the sound produces from the speaker will be regarded as noise as it will be distorted and show audible differences.

But the subwoofer, on the other hand, can only deliver an output sound that is more restricted to the bass only.

Design

The design of subwoofer varies. Some subwoofers that are designed using a plastic enclosure while some are constructed with wood. Whatever the design used in the construction, however, subwoofers are often constructed to line up the woofers so as to enhance the quality of the output sound.

Now that you understand the difference between subwoofers and speakers, what are the factors to consider when choosing one for your need? We’ve discussed them in detail below.

How to choose the best subwoofer and speaker?

Now that you’re familiar with the speaker and subwoofer, it is high time to buy one. But we know that choosing the best is not an easy task. Especially these days where many manufactures have been endorsing their product as the best which may not. And that is why we are here to salvage.

Below are the factors you should consider before settling for a subwoofer or speaker.

Price

Before you head to the market to make a purchase of speaker and subwoofer, you ought to know the amount you intend to spend on them. Generally, the price of each speaker and subwoofer varies depending on brand and maker.

In most cases, the higher the price the greater the functionalities. But this may not be the case in the most time as we have seen better and more usable low-priced products than the higher-priced counterpart.

However, if your proposed budget is low and you wish to buy any of the dual sound instrument, we advise you to go for the speaker as it can serve the function of the other to some extent.

Size

Another feature to look into before you make any purchase is the size. This should, however, depend on your available space and intended use. Let’s take, for instance, you’re planning to hold a big musical concert or you’re a choir, we strongly implore you to buy a bigger size speaker and subwoofer.

The combination of these bigger duos will enhance the quality of the produced sound and clarity. But if on the other hands, you’re buying for personal use. Either for your home or working place, the smaller size gadgets will be advisable.

Otherwise, they will harm your auditory organ as the delivered sound will be more than what your ear can accommodate. The worst part of it may be experienced if you fix such musical tools in a small enclosed place.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which subwoofer produced more effective bass audio?

The subwoofer with more and effective bass audio output is the bigger sized one or the one that as a bigger box cover.

I’m not financially buoyant and in need of a subwoofer or speaker, which one is more versatile?

Although both the subwoofer and speaker are good, however, the speaker is often recommended for one option purchase has it can perform the function of the subwoofer to some extent.

How do I know the best subwoofer and/ or speaker to buy?

To know the best product, kindly go through our detailed articles and check some review from honest reviewers. The combination of these will be of help.

Conclusion

The combination of subwoofer and speaker is necessary for an effective sounding system. Although their functions seem to look similar, however, a professional will not compromise one for the other as the duo work to complement the functionalities of the musical tools.

To talk of price, their prices are very versatile as you can buy any one that suits your purpose. Prices range from hundreds to thousands of dollars depending on brand and size.

Subsequently, the designs and arrangement of these sound systems also add to your home or event center décor. You must also set them accordingly to prevent them from making noise other than the original function they intend to serve which is to produce meaningful sound.

The Difference Between Subwoofer And Speaker